United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders
Who is a Human Rights Defender? What can the Special Rapporteur do?Official Statements
République Démocratique du Congo : tentatives d’assassinat et menaces de mort contre les défenseuses Zawadi Maulizo et Shakurani Ethiene (communication conjointe)
Official Letters and Statements
Ce qui suit est basé sur une communication envoyée au gouvernement de la RDC à propos des tentatives d’assassinat et menaces de mort contre les défenseuses des droits humains Zawadi Maulizo et Shakurani Ethiene, de l’organisation Lutte pour le changement (LUCHA).
Latest Information Received
Hearing with Human Rights Defenders in Ecuador
Latest Information[Español / English] Last month, I held two online hearings with human rights defenders in Ecuador. It was an opportunity for me to learn more about the environment for promoting human rights in the country.
Statement on the situation of human rights defenders in Palestine and Israel in the context of the war on Gaza
Latest Information[English / العربية ]
More than three months into its war on Gaza, the indiscriminate killing of Palestinians by Israel continues. Among those killed by Israeli bombs and bullets have been human rights defenders, including medical workers, journalists and Palestinian human rights activists.
Launch of poem to mark the 25th Anniversary of the HRD Declaration
Latest InformationTo commemorate the 25th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, I commissioned a poem from British-Kashmiri writer Nikita Gill.
More Information Received
“Information received” does not necessarily reflect the views of the Special Rapporteur or the United Nations.
Human Rights Defenders
Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) are people who act peacefully to promote or protect human rights in accordance with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
“Human rights defenders are ordinary people who do extraordinary things. They work peacefully for the rights of others and help build civil and just societies based on the rule of law.”
Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of HRDs
Violations committed against HRDs
Submit Information on HRDs at risk