Among other things, the proposed amendments remove references to the legitimacy of the work of human rights defenders, delete or weaken language regarding the need for their protection, and delete whole paragraphs related to the need to combat impunity for violations and abuses against defenders and the need to ensure adequate procedural safeguards in judicial proceedings. A call for the release of defenders detained or imprisoned in violation of international human rights law, for exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms, is also proposed for deletion. In addition, the amendments introduce notions that States should only support and enable their work 'as appropriate', rather than in accordance with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and other obligations arising under international human rights law
Un Declaration On Human Rights Defenders Pdf Download
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Human rights defenders make a vital contribution to the promotion and respect for human rights, democratic processes, securing and maintaining peace and security, and advancing development in our countries. However, in doing this work, defenders often face a range of violations and abuses at the hands of State and non-State actors. States must acknowledge the role of defenders and the specific risks they face, and commit to ensuring their protection.
Seventeen years ago, all States agreed to the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, including State obligations to protect all human rights defenders working on all human rights. This commitment has been reiterated and built upon in subsequent General Assembly and Human Rights Council resolutions. We are therefore extremely concerned to hear that the abovementioned delegations have objected to several core elements of the draft resolution.
Based on consultations with over 500 defenders from 111 States, the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders found that in the vast majority of States the situation for human rights defenders is deteriorating in law and in practice. He concluded that a lack of awareness regarding their vital and legitimate work, combined with a lack of political commitment and weak institutional arrangements for their protection, is placing them, their organisations and families at elevated risk.2
We urge all States to live up to their human rights commitments by supporting this resolution, by rejecting amendments designed to weaken it, and by taking concrete steps to protect human rights defenders.
Human Rights Quarterly (HRQ) is widely recognized as the leader in the field of human rights. For over 40 years, HRQ has published articles by experts from around the world writing for the specialist and non-specialist alike. The Quarterly provides up-to-date information on important developments within the United Nations and regional human rights organizations, both governmental and non-governmental. It presents current work in human rights research and policy analysis, reviews of related books, and philosophical essays probing the fundamental nature of human rights as defined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. HRQ has been nominated for the prestigious National Magazine Award for reporting.
UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders: Commentary to the Declaration on the right and responsibility of individuals, groups and organs of society to promote and protect universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms. Geneva 2011.
UN Secretary-General: Secretary-General calls for new United Nations-NGO partnership amidst ongoing human rights revolution, Press Release SG/SM/6697 PI/107, Annual DPI-NGO Conference. New York 1998.
The EU has a firm political commitment to integrate human rights principles into development activities with partner countries. EU action should promote respect for and be rooted in international human rights law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and in international humanitarian law. It should be guided by the universality and indivisibility of human rights.
The European Consensus on Development commits the EU and its Member States to implementing a human rights based approach (HRBA) to development cooperation, encompassing all human rights. The Consensus envisages an even stronger commitment from the EU and its Member countries to implement HRBA because it:
The programme is a unique tool, which complements other EU external assistance instruments. It offers independence of action, as it foresees direct cooperation with human rights defenders and local civil society organisations without the need for approval of national authorities.
Human rights defenders in many countries face grave and complex challenges, as a result of their peaceful activities. This issue brief examines possibilities for further state action at the UN to increase the safety and security of human rights defenders. It outlines major trends, gives an overview of UN efforts, and sets out key instruments and state commitments in relation to human rights defenders. It then explores key risks and opportunities for strengthening UN action, offering recommendations for member states to advance this agenda and better ensure that human rights defenders everywhere are able to freely and safely undertake their vital work.
There have been consistent state efforts, including at the General Assembly, the UN Human Rights Council, and the UN Security Council, to build upon the Declaration and strengthen the framework for a safe and enabling environment for the defense of human rights. However, human rights defenders in many countries continue to face grave and complex challenges, including threats to their lives, as a result of their peaceful activities. This brief examines possibilities for further state action at the UN to increase the safety and security of human rights defenders. It outlines major trends, gives an overview of UN efforts, and sets out key instruments and state commitments in relation to human rights defenders. It then explores key risks and opportunities for strengthening UN action, offering recommendations for member states to advance this agenda and better ensure that human rights defenders everywhere are able to freely and safely undertake their vital work.
Human rights violations against human rights defenders can be committed by state actors, such as government representatives, law enforcement officials, or the military. Non-state actors (e.g., criminal groups or businesses) can also target defenders, with states unable or unwilling to take action to prevent these incidents or practices.
Attacks, including killings of human rights defenders, often come in a context of structural violence and inequality, including in societies in conflict, and as the product of patriarchal, heteronormative systems. Threats and killings often happen when a context of negativity has been created around defenders generally, or around particular defenders. This can make them vulnerable to attacks.26UN Human Rights Council, A/HRC/46/35, 5.
The UN has underlined that acts of violence and discrimination are fueled by widespread impunity. With those responsible not being held to account, killings are more likely to continue.27Ibid.; UN Secretary General, The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021, 59. Weak institutions, corruption, lack of an independent judiciary, the absence of a differentiated approach to access to justice, and structural barriers such as the lack of access to public information, are some of the drivers of impunity.28UN General Assembly, Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Impunity for human rights violations committed against human rights defenders, A/74/159 (15 July 2019), 10. Fragile states in democratic transition that have ongoing armed conflicts or that are under occupation face additional challenges.29Ibid. The Special Rapporteur has found that to ensure access to justice, states must, inter alia, recognize the important role of defenders, conduct full and effective investigations, and hold those responsible to account.30Ibid., 10-15. In this 2019 report, the Special Rapporteur examines many other barriers to access to justice for human rights defenders.
Such tensions have remained at the core of state efforts at the UN to strengthen protections for human rights defenders. States opposing resolutions on human rights defenders at the Third Committee and the Human Rights Council make arguments related to:
The UN Secretary-General, through his Call to Action for Human Rights45UN, The Highest Aspiration: A Call to Action for Human Rights (2020), -for-human-rights/index.shtml. and publication of the UN Guidance Note on the Protection and Promotion of Civic Space,46UN, Protection and Promotion of Civic Space (September 2020), has affirmed that the UN system should empower civil society, enhance civic space, and assist states to create safe and enabling environments for human rights defenders.47See ibid., 5-14. The instruments also emphasize the importance of civic space in the successful implementation of the three pillars of the UN.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, currently Michelle Bachelet, and her Office (OHCHR) support the efforts of UN member states and the UN system related to human rights defender protection. The High Commissioner regularly refers to potential, past, or ongoing human rights violations against human rights defenders in her statements, reports, and engagement with individual states.53UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Protecting and expanding civic space, The OHCHR seeks to: support opportunities to improve national civic space, while enhancing strategic responses to threats; strengthen good protection practices; raise the visibility and increase support for the work of defenders and influence the narrative regarding defenders and their work; monitor trends in civic space and the situation of human rights defenders; and mainstream civic space issues in the UN.54Ibid. In addition, the OHCHR is responsible for data collection and reporting on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Indicator 16.10.1 on the number of human rights defenders killed, kidnapped, or subjected to enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, or torture. 2ff7e9595c
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