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Protection of journalists and press freedom 2010, para. 79
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur is alarmed and concerned that the number of journalists and media personnel killed in 2009 was the highest since 1992, and that 81 per cent of those killings were deliberate and targeted. While the risk of armed conflict increases the risk to the lives of journalists and other media professionals, more journalists were killed in non-conflict situations, mostly for reporting on organized crime or drug trafficking, environmental matters or human rights violations and corruption, or for voicing criticism of Government or the powerful.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Humanitarian
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Protection of journalists and press freedom 2010, para. 82
- Paragraph text
- Citizen journalists have come to play an increasingly important role in gathering and disseminating news, in particular in countries where press freedom is restricted, or in a disaster or conflict zone where professional journalists may not be present. While they cannot replace professionally trained journalists, they contribute to the public's access to a richer diversity of views, opinions and information. Like professional journalists, and for the same reasons, citizen journalists are subjected to acts of harassment and intimidation, including death threats, arbitrarily arrested and detained, prosecuted and sentenced to imprisonment and/or to harsh fines, and even assassinated. However, they enjoy less protection than professional journalists, as they do not have the support of media organizations and networks, and lack recognition as professional journalists.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Protection of journalists and media freedom 2012, para. 100
- Paragraph text
- Bearing in mind that standards exist in international human rights law for the protection of professional journalists outside of armed conflict situations, the Special Rapporteur urges States, with whom the primary responsibility for the protection of journalists lies, to implement those standards at the national level. This includes ensuring that no legislation is passed to unduly limit the freedom of expression of journalists, ensuring the physical and psychological integrity of journalists, and taking steps to tackle impunity for perpetrators of human rights violations against journalists.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Security and protection of human rights defenders 2010, para. 35
- Paragraph text
- In certain States, judges and lawyers are working under constant threat, which may jeopardize their independence. Prosecutors sometimes resort to inadmissible evidence to initiate proceedings against defenders, thus compromising their right to a fair trial. In several countries, the relevant authorities still resort to secret, incriminating evidence to arrest and administratively detain human rights defenders without charges for prolonged periods of time. Such evidence is reportedly often obtained by the security services and not shared with detainees or their lawyers. The Special Rapporteur would like to recall that, although not prohibited under international law, administrative detention should be surrounded by judicial guarantees and used only in exceptional and specific circumstances, such as a public emergency threatening the life of a nation.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Women human rights defenders and those working on women’s rights or gender issues 2011, para. 66
- Paragraph text
- Outside of the Americas, 2009 saw an alarming rise in comparison to previous years in the number of allegations received regarding murders of women human rights defenders and those working on women's rights or gender issues in the Russian Federation: four communications regarding alleged killings were sent in 2009. In this context, those targeted were often working on human rights in Chechnya and the North Caucasus generally, along with journalists. Other killings and attempted killings were reported in communications sent to the Philippines (eight communications), Iraq (two communications), India (two communications), Nepal (one communication), Sri Lanka (two communications), Israel (one communication), and the Congo (one communication), with further attempted killings being reported in communications sent to Pakistan (two communications), Bangladesh (one communication), the United States of America (one communication, concerning Iraq under U.S. Administration), and France (one communication, concerning French Guyana) during the 2004-2009 period.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Humanitarian
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Women
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Use of legislation to regulate activities of human rights defenders 2012, para. 22
- Paragraph text
- Lastly, excessive use of force by law enforcement officers continues to pose a serious problem during public assemblies. States should ensure that the legal framework contains effective and non-discriminatory provisions governing oversight and accountability of officials, especially with regard to their response to public demonstrations and displays of dissent. Any reported excessive use of force in the context of public assemblies should be investigated and prosecuted in a prompt, impartial and independent manner in order to hold perpetrators to account. Beyond this, the Special Rapporteur reiterates the position of the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association that States have a positive obligation to actively protect peaceful assemblies. This obligation implies a responsibility to protect participants from individuals and groups aiming to disrupt or disperse such assemblies (ibid., paras. 33-38). Such an obligation should be enshrined in the applicable legislation.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Global trends in risks and threats facing human rights defenders 2015, para. 76
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur was disturbed at the large number of difficulties encountered by this group of defenders, who have to contend with situations in which their physical and psychological wellbeing are threatened. Defenders working in conflict zones and reporting human rights violations face attacks not only from the State, but also from armed groups, militias or terrorist groups, and are regarded as potential enemies by all the parties to the conflict. In that connection, the defenders recalled that the emergence of terrorist groups makes the work of defending human rights especially difficult in certain regions. They also pointed to material difficulties and restrictions on getting into conflict zones, and also to some defenders' lack of experience particularly when documenting cases of human rights violations and keeping their data secure. Finally, the defenders mentioned the exacerbation of nationalist rhetoric and increasing polarisation in public opinion, which tended to isolate defenders, accusing them of not siding with one party or another.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Global trends in risks and threats facing human rights defenders 2015, para. 81
- Paragraph text
- As regards those communications, the defenders made it abundantly clear that in their experience the mechanism seemed opaque and ineffective and needed to be reviewed in depth with a view to make it more functional. Several difficulties were identified during the consultations, especially by the group of experts: the insufficient number of communications sent by the Special Rapporteur; the lack of a system of notifications and alerts to inform organizations and individuals that have filed a complaint of subsequent developments, due to the principle of confidentiality written into the code of conduct of special procedures mandate holders; and, finally, the lack of follow-up to communications once they have been published. Those difficulties were felt to be factors that may discourage defenders from asking the Special Rapporteur to intervene.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- 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
- 2015
Paragraph
Workplan and Future Activities of the Special Rapporteur 2015, para. 124f
- Paragraph text
- [Member States should:] Pay particular attention to the most exposed groups: those who work for economic, social and cultural rights or minority rights; environmental defenders; defenders of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex rights; women defenders and those who work for women's rights; defenders who work in the area of business and human rights; those who work in an area exposed to internal conflict or a natural disaster; defenders living in isolated regions; and defenders working on past abuses, such as the families of victims of enforced disappearance;
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- LGBTQI+
- Women
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 102
- Paragraph text
- Regional and international forums are also an important mechanism for monitoring the situation of defenders and responses to situations of risk. The Office of the Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights monitors the situation of defenders and issues "precautionary measures", requesting States to take action when defenders are at acute risk. Such urgent action procedures in regional organizations allow for a rapid and context-sensitive response to situations of risk. The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe has raised cases of defenders at risk through his dialogue with authorities and intervened before the European Court of Human Rights in defenders-related cases.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- 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
- 2016
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.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- 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
Vision and Working Methods of the Mandate 2014, para. 53
- Paragraph text
- Each of the future thematic reports and mission reports will contain a specific section dedicated to analyzing the development of trends and particular threats facing the most exposed groups.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Groups in need of attention, limitations to the right to freedom of expression, and protection of journalists 2010, para. 98
- Paragraph text
- On this point, it should be noted that Security Council resolution 1738 (2006) condemns intentional attacks against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel in situations of armed conflict and calls upon all parties to put an end to such practices. It also urges all States to comply with the relevant obligations under international law to end impunity and to prosecute those responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- 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
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Women human rights defenders and those working on women’s rights or gender issues 2011, para. 94
- Paragraph text
- According to the information received, the Colombian Constitutional Court has stated that women defenders face extraordinary risks linked to both their condition of women and to their active participation in community and social movements. In this connection, the Constitutional Court has issued orders to overcome the inadequate protection of those women who work as leaders of internally displaced communities and has highlighted the gender-related risks faced by women defenders in the context of the conflict.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Protection of journalists and press freedom 2010, para. 42
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur would like to underscore the key role that journalists play in situations of armed conflict, as they shed light on events unfolding on the battlefield, including potential abuses and violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties to a conflict. In the Randal case, the Appeals Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia noted that journalists working in war zones served "a public interest" because they "play a vital role in bringing to the attention of the international community the horrors and reality of conflict". In addition, in his report to the Security Council on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, the Secretary-General highlighted the important role of the media and information in the context of humanitarian operations, noting that the awareness of distant events allows informed assessment and helps humanitarian agencies to shape an appropriate response before going into a conflict area.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Protection of journalists and press freedom 2010, para. 43
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur recognizes that war reporting is inherently dangerous, as journalists are exposed to dangers arising from military operations and, instead of fleeing the combat zone, often seek proximity. In his most recent reports on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, the Secretary-General also expressed concern regarding the increasing number of journalists and media assistants killed or injured while reporting from areas of conflict, highlighting the fact that fatalities have resulted from excessive risk-taking, crossfire, or deliberate targeting by parties to a conflict. In addition, owing to their work, journalists are often suspected of being spies during armed conflicts and are either "eliminated" or used deliberately as "bargaining chips" by warring parties.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Hate speech and incitement to hatred 2012, para. 27
- Paragraph text
- In Africa, there have been violent riots (for example, in Kenya, caused by alleged election-rigging and fuelled by tribal tension, and in Nigeria, on the basis of tribal tensions), leading to the deaths of several thousand people; attacks by Muslim villagers against Coptic Christians in Egypt; and various forms of incitement to violence and hatred on the basis of sexual orientation by politicians, the media and religious leaders in Uganda, as epitomized by the tragic killing of David Kato, whose name, photograph and description had been published by the Sunday Pepper newspaper in what it described as a "killer dossier".
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Protection of journalists and media freedom 2012, para. 48
- Paragraph text
- The challenges that journalists encounter in undertaking their professional work are manifold. While the death or plight of foreign journalists in armed conflict situations frequently draw the attention of the international community, local journalists continue to face daily challenges in situations that have not reached the threshold of an armed conflict, but may be characterized by violence, lawlessness and/or repression. These range from restrictions to movement, including deportations and denial of access into a country or a particular area; arbitrary arrests and detention, particularly during public crises or demonstrations; torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including sexual violence against female journalists; confiscation of and damages to equipment, information theft, illegal surveillance and office break-ins; intimidation, including summons to police stations for questioning, harassment of family members, death threats, stigmatization and smear campaigns to discredit journalists; abductions or enforced disappearance to killings.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Families
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Violations committed against defenders by non-State actors 2010, para. 6
- Paragraph text
- During times of armed conflict or states of emergency, human rights defenders are at great risk of being targeted by non-State armed groups. Defenders denouncing impunity and violations committed by armed groups are harassed and, consequently, work in a state of fear. In particular, their mental and physical integrity is at risk, as they often live in regions under the control of non-State armed groups or wherein these groups operate. In addition to being threatened and harassed by militias, warlords and other armed groups, women human rights defenders are, in addition, often subjected to rape and other forms of sexual violence because of their work. Human rights defenders helping victims to access justice for violations of human rights law or international humanitarian law, either locally or before regional or international tribunals such as the International Criminal Court, are also regularly subjected to threats, violence and harassment. In particular, the Special Rapporteur has received information about lawyers receiving death threats because of their work in defence of victims of international crimes. Humanitarian workers are also targeted by non-State armed groups and thus prevented from providing humanitarian assistance to victims of armed conflicts. Furthermore, in the context of civil conflict, paramilitaries often attempt to stigmatize the work of human rights defenders and legitimize campaigns of violence against them by alleging that they are associated with armed groups or "terrorists". In such cases, it is vital that the Government publicly reaffirm the importance of the work carried out by human rights defenders and denounce any attempts at its delegitimization or stigmatization.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Women
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Security and protection of human rights defenders 2010, para. 69
- Paragraph text
- Since the adoption of the Declaration on Human Rights, many intergovernmental and non-governmental regional mechanisms for the protection of defenders have been created and declarations and resolutions adopted. Despite the increase in organizations and instruments specifically aiming at their protection, defenders continue to pay a high price for their human rights activities. Some 11 years after the adoption of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, the Special Rapporteur has found that there was a need to review and assess protection programmes put in place to ensure the physical and psychological integrity of defenders from attacks and threats. The Special Rapporteur hopes that this will shed light on the urgency of the situation and the need for States and non-State actors to move towards efficient responses to physically protect defenders.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- 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
- 2010
Paragraph
Security and protection of human rights defenders 2010, para. 82
- Paragraph text
- An early warning system, which aims at preventing violations of international humanitarian law and human rights by alerting the Government of Colombia of potential violations, has also been set up. This system is administered by the Office of the National Ombudsman and operates in 22 regions, with a national office in Bogotá. More generally, on the situation of human rights defenders in Colombia, the Special Rapporteur would like to refer to her country mission report, which is presented as addendum 3 to this report.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- 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
- 2010
Paragraph
Women human rights defenders and those working on women’s rights or gender issues 2011, para. 83
- Paragraph text
- A large number of communications related to allegations of excessive use of force and other forms of mistreatment by police during arrests and detentions. In this regard, aside from the aforementioned countries, many of the reported violations occurred in the Islamic Republic of Iran, primarily against women's rights activists, in Chile; India, and Myanmar among others. As noted above, such violence was even employed against pregnant defenders. In the given period, three incidents were reported to the Special Rapporteur in which alleged physical violence by law enforcement officials against pregnant women led to miscarriages. Many other violations reportedly occurred during and following police crackdowns on peaceful demonstrations and protests. In this connection, a significant number of communications related to Zimbabwe but also to Belarus, Chile, Myanmar, and Nepal, among others.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Women
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Selected groups of defenders at risk: journalists and media workers, defenders working on land and environment issues; and youth and student defenders 2012, para. 68
- Paragraph text
- According to the information received, defenders working on such issues seem to face a high risk of violations to their physical integrity, including attempted killings (Brazil, Ecuador), killings (Brazil, Cambodia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Philippines), attacks (Brazil, Mexico, Papua New Guinea), assault and ill-treatment (Philippines), and excessive use of force by the police during demonstrations (India). They have also been subjected to threats and death threats (Brazil, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines) and different forms of intimidation (Peru, Bahamas, Brazil, Guatemala, Papua New Guinea) and harassment (China, Mexico, Peru).
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Selected groups of defenders at risk: journalists and media workers, defenders working on land and environment issues; and youth and student defenders 2012, para. 114
- Paragraph text
- Seven communications were addressed to Governments in the Middle East and North Africa during the assessed period. Two of the communications were sent to Bahrain, and another two to Egypt. Men were the victims in all reported cases. Despite the low number of communications for this region, reported violations were wide-ranging in nature. The majority represented violations of physical integrity, including enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, ill-treatment in detention and disproportional use of force during demonstrations. Violations of a judicial nature were also reported, including prison sentences, allegedly fabricated charges and arrests. Some cases involved violations of psychological integrity, including threats and violence against defenders' family members.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Humanitarian
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Role of national human rights institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights and as protectors of human rights defenders 2013, para. 88
- Paragraph text
- In a similar vein, some national institutions have engaged actively with the authorities when reported violations against defenders occur. The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission noted that it intervenes directly with the police and security officials once complaints are received of threats or intimidation of defenders by State or non-State actors. The Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines is mandated to perform a number of services which are available to defenders and other individuals, including legal assistance, witness protection, financial assistance and medical assistance to victims of violations. The Philippines Commission noted that it is working on consolidating its services available to defenders, which include a focal point for cases pertaining to them. Submissions from NGOs confirmed that such consolidation is needed.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- 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
- 2013
Paragraph
Workplan and Future Activities of the Special Rapporteur 2015, para. 61
- Paragraph text
- The United Nations system has a vital role to play in contributing, to a greater or lesser extent, to the protection of human rights defenders who are exposed to risk. This applies particularly to peacekeeping missions, where they have a specifically human rights mandate, such as the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINOSA), the United Nations Office in Burundi and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONASCO). The Special Rapporteur intends to make contact with heads of peacekeeping missions and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations in New York to present his mandate and set out possible areas of cooperation to ensure better protection for human rights defenders facing conflict, internal disturbances or post-conflict situations.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- 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
- 2015
Paragraph
Workplan and Future Activities of the Special Rapporteur 2015, para. 54
- Paragraph text
- During his first consultations in Geneva and Brussels and the bilateral discussions that he held with representatives of regional networks of human rights defenders, the Special Rapporteur was struck by the repeated statements drawing his attention to the groups that were most exposed: those working on economic, social and cultural rights and minority rights; environmental defenders; defenders of LGBTI rights; women defenders and those who work for women's rights; defenders who work in the area of business and human rights; those who work in an area exposed to internal conflict or a national disaster; defenders living in isolated regions; and those working on past abuses, such as the families of victims of enforced disappearance.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Equality & Inclusion
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- LGBTQI+
- Women
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Environmental human rights defenders 2016, para. 65
- Paragraph text
- In emergencies, some environmental human rights defenders can benefit from ad hoc and structured relocation initiatives. A number of actors provide emergency grants to defenders in immediate danger. Emergency grants that have easy and fast application processes and quick response times and that allow defenders discretion in using funds in a manner appropriate to their personal situation have helped many defenders cope with threats and attacks. With respect to both relocation and emergency grants, however, the particular characteristics of environmental human rights defenders may make the traditional delivery of such support inappropriate: the community-based nature of environmental and land activism may make relocation a less-desirable option and traditional ideas about who should apply for emergency grants may make this option unsuitable. It is vital to consult the defenders themselves on the suitability of interventions in their personal circumstances lest they inadvertently increase the risks that defenders face. Further work should be done by all actors to ensure that defenders are aware of the support that is available to them in emergency situations.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 96
- Paragraph text
- National parliamentarians can support the creation and monitoring of laws and policies that support a safe and enabling environment. Caucuses within these bodies focused on human rights issues can organize debates on policy and commission research. For example, the All-Party Parliamentary Human Rights Group, in the United Kingdom, and the Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid, in the German Parliament, regularly meet with defenders at risk, advocate to other Governments for the protection of defenders, and organize debates and discussions on the situation of defenders and State policies concerning their protection. International networks of parliamentarians provide forums to share good practices and set new standards, such as in the case of the resolution on "Democracy in the digital era and the threat to privacy and individual freedoms" adopted by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) at its 133rd IPU Assembly.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- 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
- 2016
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.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- 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