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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. 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. 15
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur wishes to study these new paradigms in order to better understand the drivers and enablers involved. Mapping and analysis must be carried out to understand the environment or context in which defenders work and to adopt a far-sighted, preventive approach to risk in conjunction with measures to respond to emergency situations. In addition, in line with the work initiated in this area, the Special Rapporteur wishes to devote one of his future reports to the role played by businesses in threats and attacks against defenders. Similarly, he considers it essential to continue his predecessors' reflections on the impact that counter-terrorism policies and national security have on the criminalization of defenders' work.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- 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. 62
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur also intends to engage directly with businesses in cases where defenders are at risk or come under attack because of actions taken that relate to those businesses' corporate responsibility. It is essential to inform businesses, particularly parent companies, when such cases are referred to the Special Rapporteur, and to give them the opportunity to provide information on the steps that they themselves, as well as their affiliates and local contractors, have taken to remedy the situation. This is consistent with the search for systemic and long-term solutions for reducing risks for 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
The role of digital access providers 2017, para. 12
- Paragraph text
- The failure to explain or acknowledge shutdowns creates the perception that they are designed to suppress reporting, criticism or dissent. Reports of repression and State-sanctioned violence in the wake of network disruptions have led to allegations that some States exploit the darkness to commit and cover up abuses. In Sudan, for example, Internet access was shut down for several hours during a deadly crackdown on demonstrators protesting fuel price hikes in September 2013.
- 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
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Work in progress, challenges and the way forward 2017, para. 38
- Paragraph text
- As the Special Rapporteur has mentioned in his previous reports, he is very concerned about the recurrent and systemic weaknesses of the current communications mechanism. This mechanism, which many defenders consider to be their last resort, is severely hampered by the lack of cooperation of States that fail to reply to letters or send incomplete replies. These challenges are exacerbated by the fact that there are insufficient human resources to manage the ever-growing number of requests and to establish appropriate follow-up. At the present time, and despite enhanced cooperation between the teams supporting the Special Rapporteurs, it is possible to address only a limited number of requests to act on behalf of threatened defenders. Difficult choices must be made every day as there is insufficient capacity to respond to some urgent appeals. This is not acceptable.
- 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. 85f
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur recommends that States:] Respond to requests for information sent by his office, particularly in respect of cases of defenders at risk, by providing any information necessary for an optimal evaluation of situations of concern;
- 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
- 2017
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.
- 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
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.
- 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.
- 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
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 100
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights has collaborated with civil society networks to develop recommendations that address the underlying conditions for a safe and enabling environment. Such forms of collaboration both allow for the mobilization of resources for research and ensure that the analysis reflects the situation on the ground.
- 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
- 2016
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 85
- Paragraph text
- One approach taken in building local support for defenders is to expand membership of the support community, beyond defenders and other "usual" allies. The leadership of local communities constitutes not only government officials but also informal community leaders, indigenous chiefs, religious figures, businesspersons and other figures of local authority. Working in partnership with local leaders can insulate defenders from threats and attacks and assist in holding the State to account for failures in protection.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 37
- Paragraph text
- Networks of defenders and their allies facilitate the provision of support, heighten recognition and strengthen solidarity for defenders. The stronger and deeper the relationships among network members, the more swiftly they are able to react and to coordinate their actions to protect defenders. This also conveys a strong message to potential violators, warning them of the consequences of targeting defenders in future.
- 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
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 66
- Paragraph text
- Several organizations use protective accompaniment - combining the physical presence of volunteers with advocacy and other activities - to safeguard defenders at risk and to expand their operational space. Accompaniment by local or international actors has helped to deter attacks and to provide psychological support to defenders, given that it demonstrates solidarity between and among defenders locally and transnationally.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 93
- Paragraph text
- Several States (such as Brazil, Colombia and Mexico) have established protective mechanisms to respond to the specific situation of defenders. These mechanisms are often developed at the instigation of and in consultation with defenders, to overcome the challenge of lack of clarity with regard to the government institution responsible for their protection. Such mechanisms offer a centralized institution to monitor and report on the situation of defenders and coordinate the response of the State to threats. In addition, they can make recommendations to reform laws and policies that conflict with the rights of defenders or place them at risk. In some cases, the laws creating the mechanisms also require broader action by other State entities in order to mitigate risks (for example, public statements by senior officials in support 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
- 2016
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 54
- Paragraph text
- Strong civil society organizations help defenders to mitigate the risks they face and to achieve their collective goals. Some Governments undermine the work of defenders by exploiting weaknesses in governance, administrative structures and regulations. Support for defenders in strategic planning, developing governance mechanisms, risk assessment and threat analysis, fund-raising, human resources and financial management contributes to the sustainability of their work.
- 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
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 60
- Paragraph text
- Formal and informal networks that connect defenders and supporters to each other are a key factor in protection, in a number of ways. It is through such networks that information is shared, responses are coordinated, solidarity is expressed, resources are pooled and psychosocial support is given to defenders. Strong relationships allow rapid mobilization in times of crisis. Robust networks can mitigate the risks of surveillance, threats and attacks.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Contemporary challenges to freedom of expression 2016, para. 38
- Paragraph text
- In the context of protests, it is common for journalists to be detained and prohibited from reporting. Such has been the case in Egypt, where journalists collecting information about demonstrations have been detained and charged on various grounds, including involvement in terrorism. At least seven journalists and media workers in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela were arrested and their equipment confiscated for covering looting and public protests. It may also be the case that local officials carry out their functions without appropriately taking into account the roles journalists play, in particular during protests. For instance, a journalist in Mexico covering protests was allegedly detained and severely mistreated by the local authorities. In the United States, journalists covering the protests in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014 were subjected to detention by the local authorities.
- 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
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 65
- Paragraph text
- A number of protection initiatives have been particularly helpful in protecting defenders in their work, such as protective accompaniment, regular contact and visits with defenders, trial monitoring, urgent appeals, public statements, emergency grants, and relocation initiatives. In order for these interventions to be effective, they need to be timely, accessible and appropriately tailored to the circumstances of defenders. It is vital to consult defenders themselves on the suitability of such interventions for their personal circumstances lest they inadvertently increase the risks that defenders face.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 70
- Paragraph text
- In some countries, civil society organizations have established monitoring programmes that document and verify information on attacks against defenders, identifying patterns of violations and abuses. They maintain databases on defenders, monitoring the risks that they face. They make visible the situation of defenders at risk in particular contexts, pressuring States to be accountable for their protection. Gender analysis should be integrated into human rights monitoring programmes, in particular, from the perspective of intersectionality. This would ensure that the specific experiences of women and transgender persons are, along with those of men, understood and incorporated into the design of protection measures.
- 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
- LGBTQI+
- Men
- Women
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 74
- Paragraph text
- It is important that States create and support temporary international relocation initiatives for defenders at risk. A number of States offer protection by issuing special visas or residence permits to defenders on political or humanitarian grounds, and by providing funding and support to local governments and civil society organizations providing shelter and services. For example, in Brazil and Spain, programmes provide support and temporary protection for defenders at risk; in the Netherlands, "shelter cities" are available for defenders; in Germany, the State issues visas on political or humanitarian grounds and provides financial support to defenders; and in Ireland, a humanitarian visa scheme provides support for defenders at risk. Civil society organizations that manage relocation initiatives have found that strong relations with relevant government officials have helped them to overcome challenges when obtaining visas and negotiating immigration status for defenders at risk in a timely way.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 105
- Paragraph text
- States have also supported defenders in practical ways. Besides visits and meetings with defenders, officials can also raise cases of defenders during high-level visits and in dialogues with political leaders. In some cases, diplomatic missions have formally advocated the cases of defenders with Governments in host countries through démarches sometimes undertaken jointly with other States. Public statements and private meetings are also ways of signalling support for defenders. High-level interventions on behalf of defenders have been effective in pressuring Governments to take appropriate action for defenders. Diplomatic missions should, however, have direct contact with defenders and consult them (and, if necessary, their relatives or designated contact persons) on the appropriateness of actions.
- 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
- 2016
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 106
- Paragraph text
- Certain international actors directly support defenders at risk by providing funding for protection programmes. Such funding supports both preventative action and responses to immediate threats. This assistance is consistent with the right to solicit, receive and utilize resources articulated in the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. Unfortunately, the ability of defenders at risk to benefit from such international support is often limited by restrictive State policies, which further exacerbate their vulnerability, and the restrictive policies of funders.
- 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
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 49
- Paragraph text
- There are three areas that defenders have found valuable in developing their knowledge, skills and abilities: recognizing and defending their rights; adapting tactics and strategies in the face of threats and attacks; and managing their personal and collective security. Such support is being provided in a number of ways; through face-to-face and online training courses, workshops, seminars and conferences; accompaniment, mentoring and collaboration; and the development of databases, manuals, handbooks and tools.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 34
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur observes great diversity, creativity and innovation in protection practices around the world. The practices range from emergency responses for defenders in immediate danger to preventative efforts to reduce the risks that they face, including by promoting the legitimacy and stressing the importance of their work. Even if one initiative alone is insufficient to protect defenders adequately, each practice can contribute positively to this overall objective.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 58
- Paragraph text
- Materials and training should be made easily accessible, including online, as defenders may not always be able to enter face-to-face programmes. Where possible, training should also be provided to persons close to defenders, such as their families, who may be crucial in supporting defenders in times of crisis and whose own security may be affected by the work of defenders.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Families
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 61
- Paragraph text
- National (such as in Colombia, Guatemala, Kenya and Mexico), regional and international networks of defenders and supporters collaborate to document and publicize violations of defenders' rights. They coordinate emergency responses for defenders under attack, arrange meetings with potential allies, and conduct advocacy at multiple levels.
- 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
Contemporary challenges to freedom of expression 2016, para. 39
- Paragraph text
- Perhaps most concerning is that Governments often fail to provide measures of protection and accountability that can deter attacks on journalists. The Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights presented alarming statistics involving killings, kidnappings and other forms of aggression against journalists in the Americas, with extremely limited accountability despite some efforts to create special mechanisms for the protection of journalists. Messages from the most senior leadership matter, as I have pointed out in the wake of threatening comments made by the leaders of Thailand and the Philippines. The widespread failure to hold perpetrators accountable for attacks on journalists suggests the absence of concern for the role that journalists play in democratic societies. My communications have highlighted reports and allegations of the failure of accountability in, among other places, South Sudan, where journalists have been killed and disappeared; Mexico, where journalists have been murdered and accountability is inconsistent; the Philippines, which after nearly seven years has not concluded its investigations and prosecutions against those responsible for the massacre of journalists in Maguindinao; and the Russian Federation, where there are multiple reports of journalists who have been murdered and the perpetrators not held to account.
- 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
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Environmental human rights defenders 2016, para. 101
- Paragraph text
- [Regional intergovernmental organizations should:] The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights should establish a mechanism to provide emergency protection for 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
- 2016
Paragraph