United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders
Who is a Human Rights Defender? What does the Special Rapporteur do?Official Statements
Turkey: Criminal charges against the Saturday Mothers/People (Joint Communication)
Official Letters and Statements
On 12 May 2021 I wrote to the Government of Turkey about my concerns regarding the criminal charges brought against…
Latest Information Received
Pau D’Arco massacre – Meeting with Human Right Defenders in Brazil
Latest InformationOn 16 July, I met with Manoel Gomes from the Associação dos Trabalhadores/as…
Dedicated refugee stream launched by Canada for Human Rights Defenders
Latest InformationI welcome the announcement by the Canadian Government last week to establish a…
Hearing with Human Rights Defenders from Niger
Latest Information More “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