United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders
Who is a Human Rights Defender? What can the Special Rapporteur do?Official Statements
Togo : aggravation de l’état de santé du défenseur des droits de l’homme Abdoul Aziz Goma durant sa détention arbitraire (communication conjointe)
Official Letters and Statements
Ce qui suit est basé sur une communication conjointe envoyée au gouvernement du Togo à propos de l’aggravation de l’état de santé du défenseur des droits de l’homme Abdoul Aziz Goma durant sa détention arbitraire.
Latest Information Received
Statement on the situation of human rights defenders in Palestine and Israel in the context of the war on Gaza
Latest InformationMore 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.
UNGA side event – “Participation and protection: Increasing support for WHRDs in conflict, post conflict and crisis-affected situations”
Latest InformationOn 10 October 2023, a side event will take place on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York, discussing my new report: “Pathways to peace: women human rights defenders in conflict, post-conflict and crisis-affected settings”.
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