Supporting and Promoting the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
Human rights defenders play a vital role in democracies, but they often face serious risks and challenges due to their important and legitimate work. The right to defend human rights is universally recognized, and OSCE participating States have all committed to providing those who do so with effective protection and support.
Who are human rights defenders?
Anyone who promotes human rights and strives for their protection and realization is a human rights defender, regardless of their profession, age or other status. ODIHR’s Starlight Stadium eLearning game for human rights defenders
They may work alone or with others, as part of an informal group or a non-governmental organization, as a volunteer Shrinking civic space, growing restrictions on the freedoms or professionally. Human rights defenders may be lawyers, of expression, assembly and association, and problems trade unionists, staff of national human rights institutions with access to funding are making human rights work (NHRIs), journalists, medical professionals, public servants, increasingly difficult. Human rights defenders often lack students, assembly monitors, whistleblowers or any opportunities for meaningful participation in public affairs, member of the public, as long as they act through peaceful or are actively blocked from it, and face reprisals for means and accept the universality of human rights. engaging with the international community and human rights forums. In recent years, the securitization and The work of a human rights defender can include polarization of politics and society, alongside backsliding monitoring the situation of human rights, uncovering, on human rights, democracy and gender equality, has documenting and speaking up about abuses, campaigning increased the pressure on human rights defenders across for justice and equal rights, litigating at courts or the OSCE region. supporting victims of violations. Certain groups of defenders are particularly at risk: those Risks and challenges in exile face specific challenges, including in light of growing transnational repression. Environmentalists and Human rights defenders are frequently targeted for those uncovering abuses of power and corruption are their work. They face verbal attacks, smear campaigns, frequently targeted by state and non-state actors. Women stigmatization, intimidation, physical violence, surveillance, human rights defenders, people working for the equal judicial harassment and criminalization, arbitrary arrest, rights of sexual minorities, racial or religious minorities, detention and imprisonment. The psychological risks and refugees and migrants, people with disabilities or other emotional toll can affect both their well-being and their discriminated groups, and defenders working in conflict ability to continue defending human rights. settings face additional risks. peaceful assembly and association, • Direct monitoring of peaceful “The participating States will the right to participate in public affairs, assemblies, the development respect human rights and freedom of movement, the right to of tools, resources and training fundamental freedoms (…) They confirm the right of the individual private life and the right to unhindered for assembly monitoring to know and act upon [their] rights access to and communication (including an online course and duties in this field.” with international bodies, including for assembly monitors), and (Helsinki, 1975) international and regional human regular exchanges between “The participating States further rights mechanisms. civil society and human rights affirm (…) the right of the individual defenders. to seek and receive assistance ODIHR’s support for human rights from others in defending human defenders • Promoting the independence rights and fundamental freedoms, and to assist others in defending and effectiveness of NHRIs human rights and fundamental In line with its mandate, ODIHR through ODIHR’s tools and freedoms”. provides support to human rights training, including the annual (Copenhagen, 1990) defenders and promotes their NHRI Academy organized protection in a number with the European Network “They also emphasize the need for protection of human rights of ways: of National Human Rights defenders”. Institutions (ENNHRI), and via (Budapest, 1994) • Monitoring and reporting on regular workshops and events the situation of human rights for NHRIs from across the defenders, raising awareness, Need for protection OSCE region. nationally and internationally, of In line with their OSCE commitments the obligations to protect them and obligations under international law, and fostering direct dialogue Key ODIHR resources participating States have to respect the between states and civil society Guidelines on the on the issues they work on. Guidelines on the Protection
rights of human rights defenders, protect of Human Rights Defenders Guidelines on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders Protection of Human them from abuses by others and take Rights Defenders (in 11 languages) proactive steps to promote and fulfil their • Capacity building through expert rights, including their right to defend meetings, in-person training and ODIHR
human rights. tailored support for defenders and FreedomLab – A virtual educators. ODIHR’s FreedomLab space for human rights defenders States should create a safe and enabling platform has free eLearning environment to empower human rights resources and tools on how work. This includes protecting the dignity, to conduct human rights work Starlight Stadium: physical and psychological integrity, effectively and safely. For example, eLearning game on liberty and security of human rights Starlight Stadium is a ground- human rights monitoring defenders, as well as ensuring the rights breaking educational game on to freedom of opinion and expression, human rights monitoring. Handbook on Monitoring Freedom of Peaceful Assembly: Second Edition
For more information on ODIHR’s work with and for human rights defenders, please visit https://www.osce.org/odihr/human-rights-defenders, or contact Strengthening the us at defenders@odihr.pl. Strengthening the Resilience of NHRIs and Responding to Threats Resilience of National For ODIHR’s free eLearning tools and other resources for human rights Guidance Tool Human Rights Institutions defenders, visit the online platform https://freedomlab.io/. Guidance Tool
OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
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