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Protection of journalists and press freedom 2010, para. 81
- Paragraph text
- It is also worrying that the number of journalists forced into exile as a result of attacks, threats and possible imprisonment doubled between 2009 and 2010 compared with the previous year. While the host Government has the obligation to respect and to ensure the rights of all individuals within its territory, regardless of nationality or other grounds, the Special Rapporteur reiterates the obligation of all States to guarantee the protection of journalists and others who exercise their right to freedom of expression in their own countries in the first place.
- 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
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
Contemporary challenges to freedom of expression 2016, para. 37
- Paragraph text
- The Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly detained journalists and bloggers on murky charges pertaining to espionage or "conspiracy against national security" - problems exacerbated by the closed nature of legal proceedings against those detained. In Germany, while the Government swiftly and correctly reversed course, two online journalists were investigated for reporting on government surveillance practices on the grounds of protecting the public prosecutor's ability to pursue cases against extremism. A presidential decree in Ukraine imposed a one-year ban on 41 foreign journalists and bloggers who were said to pose a threat to the country's national interests and sovereignty. Indonesia detained journalists reporting on the situation in West Papua, charging them with misuse of their visas and attempted treason.
- 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
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Protection of journalists and press freedom 2010, para. 30
- Paragraph text
- Journalists, confronted with attacks, threats and possible imprisonment, are often forced to flee their home countries to avoid risking their lives. Since 2001, more than 500 journalists have reportedly fled their countries of origin, and 454 remained in exile as at June 2010. At least 85 journalists fled their home countries between 1 June 2009 and 31 May 2010, double the number recorded in the previous year. In addition, at least 29 editors, reporters and photographers have fled the Islamic Republic of Iran since June 2009, the highest annual tally from a single country in a decade. Moreover, the exile rate of journalists fleeing Africa has allegedly tripled over the past year, with at least 42 journalists, most of them from Ethiopia and Somalia, fleeing their homes.
- 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
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Persons on the move
- Year
- 2010
Paragraph
The exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the context of multilateral institutions 2014, para. 69
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur remains deeply concerned about the enforced disappearance of the Laotian human rights defender Mr. Somphone in December 2012. Prior to his disappearance, Mr. Somphone had been involved in the organization of the Asia-Europe People's Forum held alongside the Asia-Europe Meeting Summit in November 2012. He had tried to address alleged threats from officials against the participants of the People's Forum who had spoken out against the practice of land grabbing. Moreover, in Azerbaijan, in January 2013, law enforcement authorities arrested a large group of peaceful protestors in Baku a few days after a delegation of human rights defenders returned from an advocacy trip to the Council of Europe. During that trip, the delegation had welcomed the adoption of a resolution by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe expressing concern about the human rights situation in Azerbaijan.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 75
- Paragraph text
- For those who are unable to return home, asylum offers more permanent protection for defenders. In some programmes of relocation, this is explicitly recognized by ensuring that defenders most at risk receive asylum from the outset. It is important that asylum processes and decisions be timely and well informed about the situation of defenders, and that international protection complies with international human rights and refugee law, in particular the observation of the principle of non-refoulement.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Persons on the move
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Workplan and Future Activities of the Special Rapporteur 2015, para. 124d
- Paragraph text
- [Member States should:] Extend an open invitation to the Special Rapporteur, allow him to conduct any visit that he wishes to undertake without restricting its duration or scope, and enable him to move around the country, outside the capital, particularly in countries with extensive territories, so that he can meet human rights defenders who are isolated and cannot travel;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Elements of a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders 2014, para. 97
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur considers that foreign and development policy can be used to contribute to the protection and enhanced security of human rights defenders on the ground. In this regard, she welcomes the initiative by the European Union to adopt the revised European Union Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders in 2008. These guidelines list a number of practical measures that member States could take to support and protect defenders at risk, such as issuing temporary visas and facilitating temporary shelter in member States.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Security and protection of human rights defenders 2010, para. 100
- Paragraph text
- The revised European Union Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the European Council in 2008, suggest practical measures for European Union member States to support and protect human rights defenders. The guidelines give examples of practical measures that European Union missions could take to protect defenders at risk, such as swift assistance, issuance of temporary visas and the facilitation of temporary shelter in member States. The Special Rapporteur welcomes these very positive steps to ensure the safety of human rights defenders.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2010
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
Vision and Working Methods of the Mandate 2014, para. 82
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur intends to develop his cooperation with regional courts which, especially on the basis of new provisional measures, make it possible to ensure protection of defenders, particularly those who are threatened with refoulement or being deported to countries at risk. Numerous accounts received have shown the effectiveness of such measures, since States have an obligation to implement them and suspend such deportations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Persons on the move
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Workplan and Future Activities of the Special Rapporteur 2015, para. 69
- Paragraph text
- While acting in accordance with the working rules of special procedures mandate holders and upholding the independence required of each of them, the Special Rapporteur intends to continue and develop his excellent relations with international, regional and national NGOs working for the protection of human rights defenders, particularly NGOs that are specifically involved in the protection or relocation of defenders.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Women human rights defenders and those working on women’s rights or gender issues 2011, para. 63
- Paragraph text
- Finally, 18 communications were sent regarding threats and death threats against those working in the Middle East and North Africa. Of these, eight concerned defenders working on women's rights, while various others concerned women defenders working on issues such as the rights of minorities, refugees, as well as on enforced and involuntary disappearances.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Gender
- Movement
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Ethnic minorities
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Workplan and Future Activities of the Special Rapporteur 2015, para. 99
- Paragraph text
- Some States and groups of countries have developed their own tools, guidelines, national legislation and visa or relocation mechanisms to prevent violations of the rights of human rights defenders more effectively and to protect those who need protection.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Global trends in risks and threats facing human rights defenders 2015, para. 96e
- Paragraph text
- [The Special Rapporteur encourages the United Nations to:] Develop new ways of interacting with defenders unable to travel to Geneva, such as distance consultations and webinar types of meetings with defenders in geographically remote areas;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
On the Declaration on human rights defenders 2011, para. 100
- Paragraph text
- States should refrain from imposing travel restrictions and guarantee defenders access to United Nations bodies and to have the possibility to present oral and written reports and to have those reports given due consideration.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2011
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 73
- Paragraph text
- In emergencies, the search for safe accommodation and workspace is often conducted on an ad hoc basis. Defenders are able to relocate more smoothly and safely when networks and organizations that support them have them readily available. Relocation is often a stressful experience. Structured relocation initiatives that allow defenders to continue their work while away, help them to forge links with host communities, provide support for their families and allow for flexibility in their duration of stay help defenders to manage the uncertainty, isolation and challenges of relocating elsewhere. While such initiatives can be developed anywhere, they usually require the contribution of local organizations with the capacity to raise and manage funds, negotiate hosting requirements and respond appropriately to the specific risks and vulnerabilities of defenders, providing them with the support they need. A number of civil society organizations that manage relocation initiatives have helped defenders to capitalize on their time away by creating opportunities for them to build their networks of contacts, conduct advocacy, support human rights education in host communities and strengthen their knowledge, skills and abilities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Families
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Environmental human rights defenders 2016, para. 72
- Paragraph text
- As mentioned above, one of the root causes of abuses suffered by environmental human rights defenders is the lack of legal recognition of land rights, in particular for indigenous communities and those affected by post-colonialism, conflict and other causes of forced displacement. States should enact laws that recognize the rights of such individuals and communities. Conversely, States need to review and repeal laws that facilitate the exploitation of natural resources, thereby threatening the rights of those affected.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders 2016, para. 72
- Paragraph text
- Relocation initiatives have helped defenders to remove themselves from immediate danger and to have some time for rest and respite. In some cases, defenders have found safety in another location within their own country; at other times, they have to seek refuge abroad. Relocation initiatives may take different forms: from emergency shelter in safe houses to temporary hosting arrangements with sympathetic civil society organizations, to shelter city programmes, to the provision of scholarships and fellowships at universities.
- 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
Vision and Working Methods of the Mandate 2014, para. 86
- Paragraph text
- Similarly, some States and groups of countries have developed their own tools, guidelines, national legislation and visa-issue and relocation mechanisms to be more capable of warding off infringements of defenders' rights and providing protection to those who need it.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Protecting human rights defenders, whether individuals, groups or organs of society, addressing economic, social and cultural rights 2016, para. 22
- Paragraph text
- Expressing grave concern also at the observations and findings of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders that human rights defenders addressing environmental and land issues and corporate responsibility, those working on governance issues, promoting transparency and accountability, and those exposing discrimination, corruption and violence at the hands of States, business enterprises and other non-State actors, are among those human rights defenders who are most exposed and at risk, and noting with grave concern also the findings of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance that the practice of enforced disappearance is often used to repress and intimidate human rights defenders and prevent others from claiming and exercising their economic, social and cultural rights,
- Body
- United Nations Human Rights Council
- Document type
- Resolution
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran (2006), para. 31
- Original document
- Paragraph text
- 4. Encourages the thematic mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights, inter alia, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders and the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, to visit or otherwise continue their work to improve the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and urges the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to cooperate with these special mechanisms and to illustrate how their subsequent recommendations have been addressed, including recommendations of special procedures that have visited the country in the past twelve months;
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
Paragraph
The safety of journalists and the issue of impunity (2015), para. 27
- Original document
- Paragraph text
- 3. Urges the immediate release of journalists and media workers who have been taken as hostages or who have become victims of enforced disappearances;
- Topic(s)
- Movement
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
Paragraph
Situation of human rights in Turkmenistan (2005), para. 14
- Original document
- Paragraph text
- (c) Further restrictions on the freedom of expression and opinion, including the loss of local retransmissions of Russian language programmes on Radio Mayak, and serious harassment endured by local correspondents and collaborators of Radio Liberty;
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
Paragraph
The safety of journalists and the issue of impunity (2016), para. 30
- Original document
- Paragraph text
- 4. Urges the immediate and unconditional release of journalists and media workers who have been taken as hostages or who have become victims of enforced disappearances;
- Topic(s)
- Movement
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
Paragraph
Situation of human rights in Myanmar (2011), para. 34
- Original document
- Paragraph text
- 23. Further calls upon the Government of Myanmar to allow human rights defenders to pursue their activities unhindered and to ensure their safety, security and freedom of movement in that pursuit;
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
Paragraph
Situation of human rights in Myanmar (2008), para. 41
- Original document
- Paragraph text
- (g) To allow human rights defenders to pursue their activities unhindered and to ensure their safety, security and freedom of movement in that pursuit;
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
Paragraph
Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran (2010), para. 34
- Original document
- Paragraph text
- 7. Invites the thematic special procedures mandate holders to pay particular attention to the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran, in particular the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, with a view to investigating and reporting on the various human rights violations that have arisen since 12 June 2009;
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
Paragraph
Situation of human rights in Burundi (2016), para. 28
- Original document
- Paragraph text
- 8. Expresses concern about the situation of Burundian human rights defenders, many of whom are forced into exile, and calls upon the Government of Burundi to allow human rights defenders to work in Burundi, and to protect their human rights;
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
Paragraph
The safety of journalists and the issue of impunity (2020), para. 38
- Original document
- Paragraph text
- 5. Urges the immediate and unconditional release of journalists and media workers who have been arbitrarily arrested, arbitrarily detained or taken hostage or who have become victims of enforced disappearances;
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
Paragraph
Situation of human rights in Myanmar (2014), para. 09
- Original document
- Paragraph text
- 5. Expresses concern about remaining human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests and detentions of political activists and human rights defenders, forced displacement, land confiscations, rape and other forms of sexual violence and torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, as well as violations of international humanitarian law, and urges the Government of Myanmar to step up its efforts to put an end to such violations;
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
Paragraph