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Vision and Working Methods of the Mandate 2014, para. 114
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur welcomes the extension of the mandate and will always be conscious of the preamble and the recommendations of the resolution which will be the guiding lines of his future work.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Use of legislation to regulate activities of human rights defenders 2012, para. 106
- Paragraph text
- Judges should, when presented with relevant cases, recommend the repeal or amendment of a law or rule if it is inconsistent with international human rights standards.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Use of legislation to regulate activities of human rights defenders 2012, para. 105
- Paragraph text
- Judges should proactively uphold international equality and non discrimination standards in both case deliberations and the application of court procedures.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Use of legislation to regulate activities of human rights defenders 2012, para. 101
- Paragraph text
- States should ensure that penalties for defamation under civil law are limited in order to ensure proportionality to the harm done.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Use of legislation to regulate activities of human rights defenders 2012, para. 98
- Paragraph text
- States should ensure that the right of access to information is subject to narrow and clearly defined limitations to protect overriding public and private interests, including the right to privacy. Provisions for withholding information should be clearly defined by 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
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Use of legislation to regulate activities of human rights defenders 2012, para. 74
- Paragraph text
- Derogation clauses are provided for in article 4 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, article 15 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and article 27 of the American Convention on Human Rights. The list of non-derogable rights varies by treaty, and obligations differ according to the treaty to which the State is a party.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
On the Declaration on human rights defenders 2011, para. 121
- Paragraph text
- States must allow access by non-governmental organizations to foreign funding and restrict such access only in the interest of transparency and in compliance with generally applicable foreign exchange and customs laws. States should therefore review existing laws to facilitate access to funding.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
On the Declaration on human rights defenders 2011, para. 105
- Paragraph text
- States should refrain from criminalizing, limiting or censoring the exercise of freedom of expression. Except for the permissible and legitimate restrictions established in international human rights law, any measure of this kind should be abolished.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
On the Declaration on human rights defenders 2011, para. 93
- Paragraph text
- States should review their legal framework to ensure that national legislation is in conformity with the Declaration and other international commitments and international standards relating to the right to freedom of assembly in accordance with article 2 (2) of the Declaration.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
On the Declaration on human rights defenders 2011, para. 88
- Paragraph text
- States should favour regimes of notification rather than authorization of assemblies and, when authorization is required, States should make sure that it is provided in accordance with the principle of non-discrimination. In this connection, States must ensure that there are satisfactory review procedures for complaints of restrictions being imposed on assemblies.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Workplan and Future Activities of the Special Rapporteur 2015, para. 85
- Paragraph text
- The database of communications sent to States and their replies shows to what extent a large number of governments do not reply adequately to communications, urgent appeals or letters of allegation, however well documented. Their replies do not always cover the situation or the case concerned but simply set out the situation, often in very general terms, without really addressing the seriousness of the cases in question.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
On the Declaration on human rights defenders 2011, para. 69
- Paragraph text
- Article 13 of the Declaration also specifies that the funds must be used "for the express purpose of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms through peaceful means". In addition, article 3 of the Declaration establishes that while domestic legislation is the proper legal framework to guarantee the enjoyment of the right to access funding, legislation must be consistent with international human rights norms and standards.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Large-scale development project and human rights defenders 2013, para. 83i
- Paragraph text
- [Private companies should:] Establish accountability mechanisms, including project- or company-level grievance mechanisms, that are legitimate, accessible, predictable, equitable, transparent, rights-compatible, a source of continuous learning and based on dialogue and engagement (see Guiding Principle No. 31 of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights);
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Environmental human rights defenders 2016, para. 73
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur welcomes commitments by business enterprises to respect human rights and protect the environment, often expressed in public statements and policies, as well as through the adoption of voluntary guidelines and codes of conduct. The Equator Principles, for example, set out a framework which financial institutions can use to assess and manage the social and environmental risks and impacts of projects, as well as to meet minimum standards for due diligence.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Role of national human rights institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights and as protectors of human rights defenders 2013, para. 64
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur is conscious of the fact that the financial crisis in 2008 and the economic recession that followed have led to drastic cuts in public expenditure affecting the public sector in general, including national institutions. Nevertheless, she strongly recommends that national institutions be adequately resourced and be able to propose and manage their own budgets independently.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Role of national human rights institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights and as protectors of human rights defenders 2013, para. 63
- Paragraph text
- In other countries, national institutions claim to be financially ill-resourced in general which, in some instances, amounts to lack of basic office equipment (Burkina Faso) or means that they are not able to be fully operational in the regions, thereby restricting opportunities for interaction with grass-roots organizations (South Africa). An extreme situation would be the case of the national institution in El Salvador which, 20 years after its establishment, does not have premises of its own.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Role of national human rights institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights and as protectors of human rights defenders 2013, para. 58
- Paragraph text
- The Paris Principles also indicate that national institutions should have adequate infrastructure and funding in order for them to have their own staff and premises and be financially independent from the Government. The source and nature of funding must be clearly stated and secured in the regulatory framework. The institution should be able to manage its funding independently. The Sub-Committee on Accreditation provides additional details on what adequate funding should include, as a minimum.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Large-scale development project and human rights defenders 2013, para. 81a
- Paragraph text
- [States should:] Enshrine a human rights-based approach to development in relevant legislation and administrative regulations, ensuring that contracts, permits, certificates and other documentation required for large-scale development projects to go ahead, to include the elements mentioned in section IV above, most notably participation of affected communities and those defending their rights in decision-making related to such projects;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Large-scale development project and human rights defenders 2013, para. 22
- Paragraph text
- The human rights-based approach to development is built on the explicit identification of rights holders, and their entitlements, and of duty bearers, and their obligations. It grounds the development analysis in the realm of enforceable obligations and respect for internationally agreed norms, principles and standards. In order for policies and projects to effectively attain their desired results in a sustainable manner, consideration needs to be given to the human rights aspect.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Role of national human rights institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights and as protectors of human rights defenders 2013, para. 28
- Paragraph text
- The Paris Principles (1991) are a set of minimum standards that national institutions, regardless of their structure and mandate, should respect. They are now broadly accepted as benchmarks for the accreditation of national institutions and a litmus test of an institution's legitimacy.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Environmental human rights defenders 2016, para. 50
- Paragraph text
- Corruption is often a consequence of the lack of transparency in such projects. This is exemplified by environmental impact assessments that were not performed with the participation of the affected communities, were unavailable to them or were inaccessible owing to the complexity of the documentation or its language. Yet, Governments use transparency as a pretext to harass organizations opposing large-scale projects. Moreover, the complexity of the structures and processes of many large-scale development projects also makes it difficult to clearly identify the multiplicity of stakeholders (banks, anonymous companies, international investors, local suppliers, funding institutions, etc.) and the chain of responsibility for ensuring accountability for certain violations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Environmental human rights defenders 2016, para. 22
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur notes with satisfaction the ongoing negotiations in Latin America and the Caribbean on the application of principle 10 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and urges the parties to expedite the conclusion of the agreement in the light of the urgency of the situation, described in the following section. He urges the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to develop similar legally binding instruments on access to information, public participation and justice in environmental matters, including measures to protect environmental human rights defenders. Such multilateral instruments would be an effective tool to achieve sustainable development goals and respond to many challenges facing our planet, from climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution to poverty eradication. They would also ensure that both States and corporations are held accountable for any violations against environmental human rights defenders and establish effective safeguards to ensure that community interests are fully considered in environmental decisions.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Global trends in risks and threats facing human rights defenders 2015, para. 79
- Paragraph text
- The mixed nature of participants' experiences of cooperation underscored the need for more robust political commitment on the part of actors and for strengthening existing mechanisms, and all that, moreover, in a context in which national mechanisms are still deficient, or even non-existent. The defenders also insisted on the importance of training and capacity building to make better use of the various mechanisms and instruments. The Special Rapporteur was struck by the disparity of experiences of cooperation with those mechanisms, be they disparities between regions (with some being familiar, or even very familiar, with the mechanisms: Latin America, Western Europe, West Africa, while others - Horn of Africa, Southern Africa, Asia, Middle East - are not) or between the different mechanisms.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2015
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Vision and Working Methods of the Mandate 2014, para. 105
- Paragraph text
- The present report presents the vision and the priorities which the Special Rapporteur wishes to share with the Member States and other stakeholders regarding the way in which he intends to carry out the statutory activities laid down, working in a spirit of openness, frankness and transparency which he will maintain throughout the duration of his office. He is conscious of the importance of this mandate and will devote his time and energy to completing the tasks assigned to him, with the overriding objective of serving the underlying cause.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2014
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Role of national human rights institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights and as protectors of human rights defenders 2013, para. 52
- Paragraph text
- In India, the Chairperson and members of the national institution are appointed by the President on the recommendations of a Committee formed by the Prime Minister as a Chair and members of the ruling party as well as the opposition parties. It is reported that consultations are carried out by the members of the Committee in order to ensure consensus in the nominations. After her visit to India, the Special Rapporteur recommended that the functioning of the national commission be strengthened by, inter alia, broadening the selection criteria for the appointment of the Chair and diversifying the composition of the Commission, including regarding gender.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Role of national human rights institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights and as protectors of human rights defenders 2013, para. 47
- Paragraph text
- The criteria and processes for nomination, appointment and security of tenure of the members of the governing bodies of these institutions should be established and controlled by Parliament. They should ensure an open and transparent process for nomination and appointment. The Sub-Committee on Accreditation has indicated that the participation of members of Government in national institutions should be limited to an advisory capacity and that no secondments of civil servants should be allowed. Tenure should be secure and dismissal only possible in exceptional and clearly defined circumstances.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Role of national human rights institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights and as protectors of human rights defenders 2013, para. 45
- Paragraph text
- In the opinion of the Special Rapporteur, the credibility and legitimacy of national institutions is certainly strengthened if their mandate originates from a legislative act of Parliament, is clear and broad, including interaction with regional and United Nations human rights mechanisms and establishing coordination mechanisms with other relevant human rights bodies. The mandates of national institutions should state their jurisdiction, and they should be accountable to Parliament through the submission of a periodic report on activities which should be discussed by the legislature, made public and disseminated by all necessary means. Appropriate provisions should be made in order to allow effective implementation and follow-up to the recommendations made by national institutions.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Role of national human rights institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights and as protectors of human rights defenders 2013, para. 31
- Paragraph text
- The Paris Principles require that national institutions work in the promotion and protection of human rights, including by receiving and investigating complaints, mediating in conflicts, and raising awareness about human rights. The Paris Principles establish six main criteria for fully functioning national institutions, that is, broad mandate and competence; autonomy from Government in their functioning and methods of operation; independence, which should be enshrined by law or in the Constitution; pluralism through membership or cooperation; adequate financial, material and human resources; and adequate powers of investigation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Large-scale development project and human rights defenders 2013, para. 72
- Paragraph text
- Private enterprises, as well as State donors and private donors, can also contribute to accountability, for example by establishing mechanisms, either by themselves or in cooperation with other stakeholders. All non-judicial grievance mechanisms, whether State- or non-State-based, should be legitimate, accessible, predictable, equitable, transparent, rights-compatible, a source of continuous learning and, in the case of company- or project-level mechanisms, based on dialogue and engagement (see Guiding Principle No. 31 of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Large-scale development project and human rights defenders 2013, para. 65
- Paragraph text
- In the context of large-scale development projects, timely disclosure of information about project conceptualization and preparation, including contracts and subcontracts, documents with information about parties involved, financing frameworks, terms and conditions, impact assessments and mitigation strategies should be made available to the extent possible. The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, a multi-stakeholder voluntary mechanism that aims to increase the transparency of natural resource revenues by developing standardized reporting requirements for companies and Governments, has made a significant, positive contribution to increasing transparency in this sector. The initiative also offers relevant lessons learned regarding the difficulties and, at times, the unwillingness of Governments and private companies to disclose such information.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Year
- 2013
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph