Search Tips
sorted by
30 shown of 1368 entities
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 45
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur also planned follow-up visits to countries that had been visited by his two predecessors in order to discuss, with the Governments of those countries and with other stakeholders, the actions taken in follow-up to the recommendations contained in the mission reports. The Special Rapporteur is also mandated to provide assistance with practical initiatives aimed at improving the protection of human rights defenders. In that capacity, he has proposed to the authorities of Serbia and Kosovo that visits should be conducted over the next three years.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 46
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur has engaged in discussions with representatives of numerous countries during sessions of the Human Rights Council in Geneva and of the General Assembly in New York, as well as in the field when on academic assignment or upon invitation by regional defender networks. Thus, between 2014 and 2017, he met with representatives of Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Honduras, Ireland, Mexico, Mongolia, Norway, Serbia, Sweden and the United States. Even though such meetings take place outside the framework of official country visits, the Special Rapporteur believes that they are no less essential in facilitating information-sharing and in strengthening the dialogue with his office. He extends thanks to the States that made their representatives available for such meetings and encourages the Governments of countries that receive similar requests to respond positively to them.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 47
- Paragraph text
- If the Special Rapporteur has the opportunity to continue his work under a second mandate, he will further such discussions and will explore additional options with the States involved, for instance, establishing a network of countries that have taken measures towards protecting human rights defenders. In that connection, he believes that it is important to facilitate opportunities for dialogue between States to foster the sharing of good practices and to improve follow-up on recommendations. He would also like to explore ideas such as the designation of focal points, in ministries and embassies, who would be tasked with monitoring the situation of human rights defenders, and the inclusion of a section on defenders in all reports submitted under the universal periodic review.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 66
- Paragraph text
- Through his discussions with relevant stakeholders, the Special Rapporteur has been made aware of countless initiatives that offer practical solutions to defenders' problems, ranging from relocation programmes and national protection mechanisms to the establishment of national and regional networks. If given the opportunity to continue his work under a second mandate, the Special Rapporteur intends to further strengthen some of these initiatives, such as the cities of refuge network and regional and subregional defender networks. A number of these networks require additional support; the Special Rapporteur intends to provide capacity-building assistance to some of these networks, which have become essential in ending the isolation that defenders sometimes experience in the field and to take action when people are at risk.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 67
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur remains deeply concerned at the lack of visibility and of recognition of defenders' work. He notes that there is often a disconnect between public opinion and the active community of human rights defenders. The lack of understanding around the role of defenders is a formidable means used by some States to pit entire sectors of the population against one another and to undermine the situation of people who are working to protect human rights and freedoms. If people do not understand the role of human rights defenders, it is largely because we have not been successful in explaining it to them and because too often we remain bound by institutional or legal jargon. This helps to perpetuate the misconception that the struggle for human rights is the privilege of an erudite minority oblivious to everyday reality. The Special Rapporteur would like to do some case studies and focus more on individual testimonies in his messages to emphasize that ordinary heroes are first and foremost mere individuals motivated by their hope for a better world. It is also crucial to take advantage of the twentieth anniversary of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, in 2018, to bring together all the various stakeholders and to launch ambitious initiatives aimed not only at familiarizing more people with the Declaration, but also to demonstrate the essential role of defenders in safeguarding democracy and basic rights. The Special Rapporteur intends to make films, web documentaries or short videos to present, in a fun and accessible manner, the Declaration and major resolutions on the protection of defenders. He also plans to develop partnerships and thus work more closely with schools, universities and vocational training institutions in order to meet young people and show them the relevance of the struggle for human rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 68
- Paragraph text
- It is not only the general public who is unfamiliar with the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. During the Special Rapporteur's numerous discussions with defenders, many admitted that they themselves were unaware of or not sufficiently familiar with the Declaration. Too often, the Declaration is seen as abstract or is not understood by the people it was designed to protect. However, the Declaration is meaningful only if it is applied on a daily basis. The Special Rapporteur has therefore developed tools to clarify the contents of the Declaration and make it more accessible, using infographics and posters available online and in hard copy. The Declaration will soon be translated into several new languages and dialects, making it accessible to even more people.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 70
- Paragraph text
- Increasing visibility will also require support from regional and national partners, such as United Nations country offices. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the firm declarations of support by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the fact that some regional offices have paid tribute to the work of defenders and have condemned legislative developments aimed at criminalizing their work. Other initiatives, such as the designing of new tools and means of communication, should also be explored. It would be particularly useful, for defenders, to produce summaries of the recommendations contained in the Special Rapporteur's reports and their application to national and regional contexts.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 72
- Paragraph text
- Moreover, the Special Rapporteur, recognizing his responsibility to raise awareness about the situation of defenders, was eager to rapidly develop tools that facilitate greater access to information about the various issues that his mandate seeks to address. He therefore decided to strengthen his mandate's visibility on digital media, including through a multilingual website that presents, in an accessible manner, his mandate's mission and working methods and highlights his activities as Special Rapporteur. In just a few months, over 10,000 people have visited the website, the visibility of which he now hopes to increase further so as to reach as many people as possible.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 73
- Paragraph text
- A simpler version of the Special Rapporteur's reports, targeted at the general public, has been developed and distributed during his numerous trips. He also recently designed a brochure, now available in three languages, to explain the role of the Declaration, the importance of defenders' work, and his mandate. He has strengthened his presence on social media. The ever-increasing number of accounts created is proof of the interest and concern of the general public with regard to human rights and the situation of those who promote them.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 44
- Paragraph text
- Because they have primary responsibility for protecting human rights defenders and for ensuring respect for human rights, States have been treated as privileged partners and the Special Rapporteur has sought to strengthen his relationships with them. During his mandate, he conducted four official visits (Burundi in 2014 and Australia, Azerbaijan and Hungary in 2016). He has repeatedly raised the difficulties encountered in setting up country visits, including the lack of responsiveness by States, as a result of which he conducted no official visits in 2015. The Special Rapporteur is already in discussion with the Government of Peru with a view to conducting an official visit during the second half of 2017. He has also sent visit requests to the authorities of Afghanistan, Israel, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Serbia and the State of Palestine, as well as to Kosovo.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 7
- Paragraph text
- Like his predecessors, the Special Rapporteur has sought to develop innovative working methods in order to be more effective and to better respond to defenders' need for protection. This commitment to action is meaningful only if it is accompanied by objective assessments. That is why, in his view, it was essential to spend time reflecting on what has been implemented in order to analyse and assess the impact of all the work that he and his team have carried out over nearly three years. To that end, this report takes stock of the progress made and the challenges that lie ahead. It also identifies those areas in which, in view of the possible renewal of his mandate, the Special Rapporteur intends to become more involved so that his work remains relevant and responds as effectively as possible to defenders' expectations. This report should be seen not as an exhaustive exercise, but as a mirror held up to the action plan established in October 2014 (A/69/259).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 69
- Paragraph text
- All of these initiatives will be inadequate if they are not appropriately disseminated through various communication channels. Increased media coverage will therefore be necessary. The Rapporteur has published opinion pieces in various international dailies, including on the consequences of counter-terrorism laws for defenders and on the spread of attacks on environmental defenders.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
The role of digital access providers 2017, para. 11
- Paragraph text
- Restrictions on expression must be necessary to achieve aims specified by article 19 (3) of the Covenant and may never be invoked to justify the suppression of advocacy for democratic rights (see Human Rights Committee general comment No. 34, para. 23; and A/71/373, para. 26). However, governments frequently impose shutdowns during demonstrations, elections and other events of extraordinary public interest, with little or no explanation. In Bahrain, disruptions to mobile and Internet access in Duraz allegedly coincided with sit-ins outside the home of a prominent religious leader whose citizenship the Government had revoked. Internet users in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela were reportedly denied Internet access during widespread protests against the Government in 2014. Network disruptions have been recorded during or around elections or protests in Cameroon, the Gambia, India, Myanmar, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Uganda and Montenegro.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 25d
- Paragraph text
- [The Independent Expert underlines the key role of civil society and human rights defenders and the need for more effective action to counter threats and reprisals against them. Of note is a submission to the Human Rights Council by a number of non-governmental organizations earlier this year, in which they called upon States, inter alia:] To ensure that organizations working on issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics can seek, receive and use funding and other resources from individuals, associations, foundations or other civil society organizations, foreign Governments and aid agencies, the private sector, the United Nations and other entities.
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 84
- Paragraph text
- Rather than constituting a static programme of action, the proposals contained in this report should be understood as key areas of focus. The Special Rapporteur wishes to retain some flexibility in responding to requests that might arise during his second mandate. It is important to pay particular attention to new trends and alerts from civil society and the various actors involved in protecting defenders.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 13
- Paragraph text
- It was during these exchanges, and through the many reports and documents submitted by civil society and partners involved in protecting defenders, that the Special Rapporteur became aware of the groundswell of coordinated attacks that seek to undermine and cause lasting damage to civil society. He is dismayed to note the increasing number of attacks intended to undermine the role of defenders, irrespective of the country or the area of human rights involved. In the face of these attacks, civil society is required to constantly reinvent itself and to adopt new strategies in order to continue to promote and protect human rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 14
- Paragraph text
- Although precise figures are difficult to obtain, the number of defenders killed around the world is continuously rising. This rise is in part the result of deliberate and concerted actions by persons capitalizing on major institutional weaknesses and the lack of political will to halt attacks and threats. The profound political shake-ups taking place on every continent and the growing numbers of actors who adopt ever more sophisticated strategies and tools to undermine human rights work oblige us, as never before, to refine our analysis of the situation of defenders.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 55
- Paragraph text
- The three accounts below attest to the significant cooperation enjoyed with regional mechanisms. According to Nils Muižnieks, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe: Close cooperation with the universal human rights system and regional mandate holders plays a significant role in my efforts to protect and support human rights defenders in Europe. I collaborate regularly with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on countries where the situation of human rights defenders is very challenging. I am convinced that by working together we will effectively combat impunity for attacks on defenders and prevent the worsening of their working environment.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 56
- Paragraph text
- According to José de Jesús Orozco, Rapporteur on human rights defenders of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights: The mandate of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights regarding the situation of defenders highlights the crucial need for cooperation with the United Nations mandate holder on the issue of defenders. In addition to strengthening the roles of the two systems, such cooperation has underlined the need to redouble our efforts to promote and protect human rights in the Americas and to address, specifically, the plight of the defenders in the region. The result has been numerous joint initiatives, including public statements, meetings, thematic reports, activities in the field, regular information-sharing and the participation of the Special Rapporteur, Michel Forst, as an expert before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 77
- Paragraph text
- The decline in cases of reprisals is deceptive. It does not account for many of the tragedies experienced by defenders on the ground or for the perverse effect of such acts on the whole of civil society in its struggle to protect human rights. The Special Rapporteur has observed that reprisals take the form of threats, surveillance, prohibition from leaving a country, arrests on spurious grounds and physical attacks against defenders and their families. They may be intended mainly to affect individuals and their families, but they also hamper any form of long-term cooperation, thus isolating a country's civil society from the rest of the international community.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Families
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 23
- Paragraph text
- Since he first established contact with human rights defenders, the Special Rapporteur has received information on the situations of defenders working on all aspects of environmental rights. He has also been struck by the alarming reports, issued by many organizations, of the risks faced by persons committed to preserving natural resources and protecting the right to land. This led him to submit a report (A/71/281) to the General Assembly in 2016 on the situation of environmental rights defenders. His review of that situation enabled him to understand the complexity of systems that combine sophisticated enforcement techniques, unclear lines of accountability and national contexts in which corruption and impunity are rife. The Special Rapporteur intends to continue exploring certain aspects of this research by focusing his next report to the General Assembly on the roles and responsibilities of corporations in attacks on defenders.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 85b
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Implement resolutions on the protection of defenders and monitor their continued implementation;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 87b
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur recommends that national human rights institutions:] Take effective measures to protect human rights defenders when they are in danger;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
The Special Rapporteur's vision of the mandate 2017, para. 18
- Paragraph text
- Successes and achievements of civil society in recent years have been thoroughly investigated and recorded (see A/HRC/35/28). They were, by and large, acknowledged, recognized and endorsed by delegations during the clustered interactive dialogue held by the Human Rights Council with the Special Rapporteur on 7 June 2017 (A/HRC/35/28, para. 4). Yet, since the establishment of the mandate in October 2010, the voices of civil society have been restricted or silenced, if not eliminated, in every region across the globe. Mass surveillance, obstructive regulation of democratic space, including online, overly restrictive legislation to regulate association and limit the exercise of fundamental public freedoms, with frequent use of counter-terrorism legislation to curtail dissenting voices, and harassment of and violence against human rights defenders and ordinary people who exercise their right to express opinions in peaceful protests are all too common.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 53
- Paragraph text
- With regard to peacekeeping missions, the Special Rapporteur also met several times with representatives of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, in New York, with whom he discussed the possibility of conducting joint initiatives with missions. This is one of the issues he would like to take action on, as a matter of priority, during his second mandate, for instance, by engaging with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 20
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur plans to strengthen support for national mechanisms for the protection of defenders by holding consultations with them to determine trends and developments, enhance the sharing of good practices between such mechanisms and identify areas for improvement. Aware of the difficulties that currently hinder the implementation of these mechanisms, he wishes to use his technical expertise to help make these arrangements fully operational and effective.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 43
- Paragraph text
- In keeping with the actions undertaken by his predecessors, the Special Rapporteur has sought to develop closer ties with individuals and institutions engaged in protecting human rights defenders. As was announced in his road map, the Special Rapporteur has carried out a number of activities with States, the United Nations, regional mechanisms for the protection of human rights defenders, national human rights institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and regional courts.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 51
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur would like to organize joint workshops over the next few years in order to strengthen the implementation of resolutions and recommendations on the situation of defenders and to increase the sharing of good practices. It is equally important to improve the sharing of information, in particular information being conveyed from the field to the Special Rapporteur, so as to be more responsive when draft legislation jeopardizes the situation of defenders in a given country.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Embrace diversity and energize humanity 2017, para. 25a
- Paragraph text
- [The Independent Expert underlines the key role of civil society and human rights defenders and the need for more effective action to counter threats and reprisals against them. Of note is a submission to the Human Rights Council by a number of non-governmental organizations earlier this year, in which they called upon States, inter alia:] To review and repeal all laws and policies which, directly or indirectly, criminalize, stigmatize or discriminate against LGBTI defenders;
- Body
- Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 81
- Paragraph text
- Today, recognizing the tragic and seemingly hopeless situations facing so many defenders is no longer the issue. Indeed, time and again, their plight has been reported, condemned and communicated by many. This dire situation does not allow us the luxury of sitting back and waiting. Let there be no doubt. It is our moral responsibility to embody the ideals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and it is urgent to take action. At the core of the Special Rapporteur's mandate is the duty to ensure that every effort is made so that people no longer have to die anywhere in the world for having defended human dignity and human rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph