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Protection of journalists and press freedom 2010, para. 45
- Paragraph text
- Death is not the only result of attacks against journalists: those who return from conflict zones or dangerous assignments often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and other negative psychological consequences, as well as permanent physical injuries. The Special Rapporteur therefore stresses the importance of ensuring that journalists, media professionals and associated personnel receive safety and first-aid training, that they are appropriately equipped and insured and that effective follow-up is provided to them after they have been on a dangerous assignment.
- 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
- Health
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Protection of journalists and media freedom 2012, para. 116
- Paragraph text
- In keeping with the United Nations Action 2 programme, the Special Rapporteur encourages other United Nations agencies to support the protection of journalists by ensuring that United Nations actions at the country level are grounded in human rights principles and guided by international norms and standards. Training and toolkits, such as those provided by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in relation to journalists working on HIV/AIDS and corruption, for example, could be tailored to the protection of journalists.
- 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
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Work of the mandate and priorities of the SR 2015, para. 112
- Paragraph text
- Civil society actors should be able to do their work for the promotion and protection of human rights, including the right to health, in safe and enabling environments and should not suffer from criminalization, stigmatization or harassment of any sort because of the work that they do (see the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, A/HRC/25/55). The Special Rapporteur believes that there is a clear and direct link between the environment in which civil society operates in a given country and the level of realization of basic rights and freedoms, not only of the public freedoms that are necessary to advocating for human rights, but also of the specific rights for which they advocate. If civil society actors are harassed or persecuted due to their work advocating for and promoting the right to health, that is a symptom of important gaps in the realization of the right itself.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Report of the SR on the right to health and Agenda 2030 2016, para. 47
- Paragraph text
- Repressive laws can also restrict space for civil society actors to operate, thus hindering efforts towards the realization of basic rights and freedoms. Laws prohibiting non-governmental organizations and human rights defenders from working without official registration and limiting or altogether banning access to foreign funding have chilled the efforts to promote the rights of marginalized populations across the globe.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Security and protection of human rights defenders 2010, para. 32
- Paragraph text
- Communications issued by the Special Rapporteur indicate that the criminalization of human rights defenders' activities by States' authorities has not decreased. Some States tend to systematically invoke national security and public safety to restrict the scope of activities of defenders. In many countries, trade unionists, members of NGOs and social movements face repeated arrests and criminal proceedings for charges of "forming criminal gangs", "obstructing public roads", "inciting crime", "creating civil disobedience" or "threatening the State security, public safety or the protection of health or morals". Moreover, human rights defenders, including defence lawyers, providing legal assistance to other defenders or victims of human rights violations are threatened, denied access to courthouses and their clients, and arrested and charged under various criminal provisions. The multitude of arrests and detentions of defenders also contributes to their stigmatization, since they are depicted and perceived as troublemakers by the population.
- 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
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Women human rights defenders and those working on women’s rights or gender issues 2011, para. 37
- Paragraph text
- A large number of communications sent during the period (196) concerned alleged violations against defenders, including males, working on women's rights or gender issues, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual issues (LGBT). This group is thoroughly heterogeneous, including women and men carrying out a vast range of activities related to women's rights, including those working on issues related to sexual and reproductive rights; organizations dealing with violence against women, rehabilitation and impunity related to violence, rape and sexual violence, women's shelters caring for victims of the above; and journalists and bloggers writing on women's rights issues.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Health
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- LGBTQI+
- Women
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Elements of a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders 2014, para. 65
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur remains concerned by the trends of judicial harassment and stigmatization of women human rights defenders, including those working on religious practices in relation to blasphemy legislation, and defenders working on sexual and reproductive rights in relation to legislation on public morals. She is also concerned with recent legislative moves to purportedly curb the promotion of homosexuality and the constraints that defenders of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons face due to criminalization of same-sex relations in over 75 countries worldwide.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- LGBTQI+
- Women
- Year
- 2014
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. 41
- Paragraph text
- During the period, the mandate holder sent 21 communications with allegations of torture and ill-treatment of journalists and media workers acting as human rights defenders (Middle East and North Africa 9, Asia Pacific 6, Africa 5, the Americas 1). In some instances, torture not only implied physical abuse, but also included denial of medical treatment by the authorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- 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. 54
- Paragraph text
- The Sub-Committee on Accreditation has strongly recommended that provision be included in legislation to protect members and staff of national institutions from legal liability for official actions. The Special Rapporteur believes that privileges and immunities for members and the staff of national institutions discharging their functions in good faith are an important safeguard, allowing them to carry out their activities without undue interference.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2013
Paragraph
Use of legislation to regulate activities of human rights defenders 2012, para. 55
- Paragraph text
- Some information may legitimately be withheld from the public if its dissemination represents a risk to national security, public health or morals or protection of other overriding interests. Such provisions should, however, be clearly defined in official-secret legislation, which should also indicate the precise criteria to be used in determining whether information can be declared secret. In line with articles 6 and 14 of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, official-secret legislation should never be used to prevent the disclosure of information that is in the public interest.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Use of legislation to regulate activities of human rights defenders 2012, para. 31
- Paragraph text
- Such legislation has a profound and deteriorating effect on the fundamental freedoms of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender human rights defenders, in addition to non-governmental organizations and health workers engaged in HIV prevention and providing care for HIV patients. The right to freedom of association is severely compromised by such legislation, forcing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender associations to operate clandestinely or to cease operations altogether.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- LGBTQI+
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Use of legislation to regulate activities of human rights defenders 2012, para. 96
- Paragraph text
- States should ensure that reporting requirements placed on associations are reasonable and do not inhibit functional autonomy.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Global trends in risks and threats facing human rights defenders 2015, para. 89
- Paragraph text
- It would be impossible to conclude the present section without harking back to the disturbing increase in the number of reprisals and acts of intimidation reported by defenders during the regional consultations. Fear of reprisals perpetrated by non-State or governmental actors deters some defenders from cooperating with the United Nations and regional mechanisms. In this connection, the defenders point to the surveillance exercised over them and over certain non-governmental organizations that cooperate with the United Nations on issues deemed to be sensitive, such as discrimination against Roma people, or the promotion of sexual and reproductive rights, sexual orientation and identity. The defenders urged the Special Rapporteur to continue to support their reports calling for an end to these reprisals and attempts to intimidate them. In this regard, the defenders mentioned some States' attitude to such reprisals. While they are guilty of, or complicit in acquiescing to, attacks on them that all too often go unpunished, States nevertheless have a fundamental role to play, according to the defenders.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Use of legislation to regulate activities of human rights defenders 2012, para. 37
- Paragraph text
- Sexual and reproductive rights defenders thus play a significant role in ensuring respect for women's human rights. Such activities should not be subject to criminal sanctions. Furthermore, States with a legal framework guaranteeing sexual and reproductive rights need to ensure that such legislation is enforced without discrimination. Judicial harassment against sexual and reproductive rights defenders should not be tolerated, and judges and prosecutors have a key role in this regard. The Special Rapporteur also wishes to emphasize that medical and health-care professionals are protected under article 11 of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, according to which everyone has the right to exercise his or her occupation or profession, in compliance with relevant national and international standards of occupational and professional conduct or ethics, including human rights standards.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Women
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Use of legislation to regulate activities of human rights defenders 2012, para. 38
- Paragraph text
- The role of human rights defenders in disseminating information about sexual and reproductive rights, whether as part of State institutions set up for this purpose, through non-governmental organizations or through the formal education system, needs to be clearly defined in legislation relating to public morals to ensure that such activities are not criminalized. Defenders who provide evidence-based sexual and reproductive health information and education should in no circumstances face criminal sanctions, in line with article 6 (b) of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (see also A/66/254, para. 65).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Education
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Global trends in risks and threats facing human rights defenders 2015, para. 62
- Paragraph text
- Women defenders explained that those violations could not be understood without an in-depth analysis of the social, cultural, economic or political context, in which a patriarchal culture persists along with deeply-rooted stereotypes. They said they were the victims of attacks because they questioned that culture and challenged traditionally assigned roles. During the consultations numerous defenders described the insults hurled at women defenders, who are often depicted as prostitutes, or as immoral, sinful individuals undermining respect for traditional values. According to the women defenders, that makes them the preferred targets of religious groups, especially when they strive for the observance and promotion of sexual and reproductive rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Women
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 38
- Paragraph text
- Gender influences the way that defenders experience risks and threats. Discrimination on the basis of gender is linked to other factors, such as ethnicity, religion, class, age, health or sexual orientation. The intersection of these factors produces different vulnerabilities for women. For this reason, it is critical for gender analysis to adopt an intersectionality lens, examining how the combination of such factors has an impact on the rights and security of women defenders.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Women
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 47
- Paragraph text
- One aspect of security often neglected by defenders is their own well-being. The stress of human rights work often takes a toll on the mental, emotional and psychological well-being of defenders. Defenders should recognize the signs and symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety, vicarious trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder and burnout, and must be supported in the prevention and treatment of them. It is vitally important for defenders to engage in self-care.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
On the Declaration on human rights defenders 2011, para. 18b
- Paragraph text
- [Specific situations impeding the work of human rights defenders and leading to a highly insecure environment include:] Prosecution of defenders and criminalization of their activities. Defenders are arrested and prosecuted on false charges. Others are detained without charge, often without access to a lawyer, medical care or a judicial process, and without being informed of the reason for their arrest;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Security and protection of human rights defenders 2010, para. 61
- Paragraph text
- These examples should constitute a basis for States to anticipate high-risk situations and develop or improve protection measures. In the situations mentioned above, the safety of defenders' families and relatives should also be assessed. Whenever possible, early warning systems should also be developed.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Health
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Families
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Use of legislation to regulate activities of human rights defenders 2012, para. 92
- Paragraph text
- States should do their utmost to protect human rights defenders from judicial harassment, including in cases in which defenders are discharging their functions, notably in defence of sexual and reproductive rights.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2012
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 39
- Paragraph text
- In strengthening the security of defenders, it is crucial that protection practices focus on a "holistic" conception of security. The physical safety of defenders should be interlinked and integrated into their digital security and psychosocial well-being, aspects that tend to be neglected by defenders themselves and their supporters.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Security and protection of human rights defenders 2010, para. 31
- Paragraph text
- States increasingly resort to legal actions to violate the human rights of defenders denouncing human rights violations. Defenders are arrested and prosecuted on false charges. Many others are detained without charge, often without access to a lawyer, medical care or a judicial process, and without being informed of the reason for their arrest.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Women human rights defenders and those working on women’s rights or gender issues 2011, para. 109
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur recommends that member States:] Increase material resources for the immediate protection of women defenders and those working on women's rights or gender issues and make sure that they can be mobilized in a flexible manner to guarantee their effective physical and psychological protection; and
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Health
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Women
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Global trends in risks and threats facing human rights defenders 2015, para. 95a
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur encourages international donors and creditors and intergovernmental organizations to:] Strengthen aid programmes for defenders, particularly as regards physical and digital security and to step up aid programmes, particularly those relocating defenders and legal and medical assistance programmes;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Women human rights defenders and those working on women’s rights or gender issues 2011, para. 104
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur is dismayed at the extraordinary risks that women human rights defenders and those working on women's right or gender issues face due to their work. Most of these risks directly affect their physical integrity and that of their family members.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Families
- Women
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Elements of a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders 2014, para. 125
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur believes that it is crucial that defenders strive for high standards of professionalism and ethical behaviour when carrying out human rights activities. They should also recognize the important work of women human rights defenders and those working on women's rights and gender issues, and strive towards empowering them.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Women
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Elements of a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders 2014, para. 134e
- Paragraph text
- [Human rights defenders should:] Strive for high standards of professionalism and ethical behaviour when carrying human rights activities;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 111
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur proposes seven principles that, in his view, should underpin good practices by States in the protection of human rights defenders:] Principle 4: They should focus on the "holistic security" of defenders, in particular their physical safety, digital security and psychosocial well-being.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Women human rights defenders and those working on women’s rights or gender issues 2011, para. 81
- Paragraph text
- The prevalence of the alleged use of torture, as well as other forms of ill-treatment and mistreatment of women human rights defenders and those working on women's rights or gender issues while in detention is alarming. During the stated period, 149 such allegations were noted in communications from the mandate in this regard. Several such cases (22) pertained to detained or imprisoned defenders in China; of these, there were a notable number of alleged incidences of physical attacks and beatings by inmates, who had reportedly been ordered to do so by prison guards. Other violations reported in China have included beatings by law enforcement officials, the use of torture as a disciplinary measure, denial of adequate medical care in detention, forced medication and sleep deprivation. Among the alleged victims of such treatment were pro-democracy activists, defenders working on reproductive and housing rights, and the rights of religious, national, and ethnic minorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Health
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph