Human rights defenders working on the Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of goals adopted by all countries in 2015 to secure the rights and well-being of everyone on a healthy, thriving planet. They recognise that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with guaranteeing people’s right to food, health care, housing, education and other human rights, while tackling climate change and protecting the environment.

In 2023, the United Nations announced that only 15% of the Sustainable Development Goals were on track and that a “fundamental shift in global behaviour” was necessary to deliver on the promise of the Goals. Part of this fundamental shift must include a new appreciation of the integral role of human rights defenders in helping States to meet the Goals, and a reversal in the increasing restrictions on the right to defend rights.

On 17 October 2024, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders presented a report to the General Assembly which highlights the contributions made by human rights defenders to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In the report, she demonstrates that human rights defenders are active across every one of the 17 Goals, placing human rights at the core of sustainable development. In doing so, they are assisting States in their responsibility to leave no one behind.

Read Mary's report to the UN Read Mary's full remarks to the UN General Assembly

In the lead up to the UN General Assembly, the Special Rapporteur shared stories of human rights defenders around the world who work tirelessly to advance the Sustainable Development Goals in their communities. Below is the full set of visuals designed to highlight their diversity, their victories and the challenges they face.

Infographic titled ‘Human Right Defenders and the Sustainable Development Goals’ featuring a red square icon representing Goal #1, No Poverty. Next to it, the text reads “In Sierra Leone, AdvocAid is working to "decriminalise poverty" by challenging laws that unfairly target vulnerable people, like street traders and persons engaged in sex work and prostitution, and often trap them in a cycle of poverty. Many of those affected are women, who lose income while in prison, making it harder to care for their families. In 2022, AdvocAid took their fight to the West African Court, arguing these laws punish the poor unjustly. The case is ongoing.” Next to the text is a black and red illustration representing hands behind bars.
Infographic titled 'Human Rights Defenders and the Sustainable Development Goals,' focusing on SDG 2: Zero Hunger. The text highlights the role of women human rights defenders in Sudan, who are helping to combat famine during the ongoing war by setting up community kitchens. It mentions that these efforts have fed over 250,000 families in Khartoum in nearly a year, despite the lack of international aid and significant risks. An illustration shows a woman wearing a headscarf and high-vis jacket stirring a large pot of food. The SDG 2: Zero Hunger icon, featuring a bowl of food, is displayed on the left.
An infographic titled "Human Rights Defenders and the Sustainable Development Goals" featuring Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being. It highlights efforts during the COVID-19 crisis in Bangladesh by the Council of Minorities, who promoted hygiene and safety measures within Urdu-speaking communities in camps and slums. The Council reached over 11,000 marginalised people, providing education on hygiene, social distancing, and the use of protective equipment. Nearly 600 people were vaccinated through these efforts. The infographic includes an icon of a heart with a heartbeat line to represent health. There are illustrations of two people wearing face masks and having a conversation, emphasising health safety during the pandemic.
An infographic titled 'Human Rights Defenders and the Sustainable Development Goals,' focusing on SDG Goal 4, Quality Education, with a symbol of an open book and pencil. The text highlights efforts in Myanmar where groups of human rights defenders from the Civil Disobedience Movement have been ensuring access to education since the military coup in 2021. In northern Shan State, the Ta'ang Land Education Council opened and operated 381 schools, employing 1,650 teachers. These efforts provided education to 28,000 students for the 2023/2024 academic year. At the bottom, an illustration shows children sitting at desks.
An infographic titled 'Human Rights Defenders and the Sustainable Development Goals.' It highlights SDG Goal 5, Gender Equality, with the symbol of gender equality next to it. The text describes how women human rights defenders in Afghanistan are defying the Taliban's gender apartheid by running underground schools for girls after the ban on girls attending secondary school. Despite the risks of arrest, they have engaged in public protests for gender equality in cities such as Kabul, Faizabad, Herat, and Mazar-e Sharif. An illustration of a woman and a girl holding protest signs is shown at the bottom.
Infographic titled 'Human Rights Defenders and the Sustainable Development Goals' highlighting Goal number 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. It discusses water contamination in Cape Fear River, USA, where people were exposed to chemicals from an industrial facility. Local groups, including 'Clean Cape Fear,' sued the state and initiated a national campaign for clean water. The government later enforced a drinking water standard to protect against water pollution. The infographic features the SDG 6 icon (a water droplet) and an illustration of two gloved hands collecting a water sample from a body of water.
An infographic titled "Human Rights Defenders and the Sustainable Development Goals" featuring Goal number 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. It highlights efforts in Malaysia, where indigenous human rights defenders are working to bring affordable and clean energy to their communities, often located in isolated areas. The CREATE Borneo initiative trains indigenous engineers in renewable energy technologies that harness water, solar power, and biomass. The project promotes local entrepreneurship and indigenous rights while incorporating traditional knowledge to improve energy access in villages. The infographic features the SDG 7 icon (a yellow square with a white sun and a power button symbol at the centre, representing energy) and an illustration showing two people installing solar panels on a rooftop.
An infographic titled "Human Rights Defenders and the Sustainable Development Goals" featuring Goal number 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. The infographic focuses on efforts in Armenia, where the Ombudsperson's Office has been running campaigns to ensure workers know their rights and have them defended. It emphasises that just and favourable working conditions are a human right, including fair and equal wages, a decent living, safe working conditions, and the right to rest. The visual highlights that human rights defenders worldwide, particularly trade unionists, are advocating for these protections. The infographic features the icon for Goal 8 (a red square with a white upward arrow and a bar graph, symbolising economic growth) and an illustration showing three individuals holding protest signs and a megaphone, representing trade unionists standing up for workers' rights.
Infographic titled 'Human Rights Defenders and the Sustainable Development Goals.' The graphic highlights how human rights defenders in Somalia contribute to Goal number 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. It explains that these defenders help improve access to affordable credit in rural and excluded communities. Organisations like the Coalition of Somali Human Rights Defenders have launched microcredit schemes, offering small loans and financial literacy training to help individuals and small businesses grow. The text emphasises that these efforts have boosted household incomes, expanded financial inclusion, and fostered local trust and collaboration. The infographic features the icon for Goal 9 (a bright orange square with three white, connected cubes symbolising industry and innovation) and an illustration showing a woman in a hijab working in a small store, writing in a notebook surrounded by various goods such as bags of food and scales.
This infographic, titled "Human Rights Defenders and the Sustainable Development Goals," focuses on Goal number 10, Reduced Inequalities, represented by an icon featuring arrows pointing in different directions within a pink square background. The text explains that in Kenya, LGBTIQ+ rights defenders have been combatting inequalities based on sexual orientation. In 2015, after the National Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission was denied registration as an organisation due to their name, they took the state of Kenya to the High Court, which dismissed the idea that their name was 'unacceptable.' This decision was confirmed by the Supreme Court in a 2023 ruling. At the bottom of the infographic, there is an illustration of three people holding a large pride flag with shades of pink. The individuals are depicted in a celebratory stance, raising the flag together.
The infographic, titled "Human Rights Defenders and the Sustainable Development Goals," focuses on Goal number 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, represented by an icon showing buildings in a square orange background. The text explains that in Uzbekistan, human rights defenders from the Tashkent-Snos movement work to protect housing rights and resist unsustainable urbanisation. These defenders help residents fight against forced evictions and the destruction of traditional neighbourhoods, while leading successful campaigns to protect historical buildings. Their efforts have mobilised and empowered people to defend their homes and preserve their cultural and natural heritage. At the bottom left, there is an illustration of a traditional building with a tree in the foreground, symbolising the focus on protecting urban spaces and heritage.
The infographic, titled "Human Rights Defenders and the Sustainable Development Goals," focuses on Goal number 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, represented by an icon of a circular arrow forming the infinity symbol on a gold background. The text explains that since 2004, the community of San Pablo de Amalí in Ecuador has been trying to safeguard their lives after the construction and operation of a giant hydroelectric plant on the Dulcepamba River. In 2015, a normal weather event caused their land to flood, destroying farmland and homes. Tragically, two women and a child lost their lives. For defending their legitimate rights, the community has faced threats and criminalization. At the bottom, there is an illustration of a river flowing between rocks and vegetation.
The Infographic, titled 'Human Rights Defenders and the Sustainable Development Goals' focuses on Goal number 13: Climate Action, represented by an icon featuring a globe within an eye shape on a green square background, symbolising global awareness of climate action. The infographic highlights the role of young human rights defenders in Uganda who are involved in non-violent movements like 'Students Against the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.' These activists are advocating for climate justice through education, outreach, and peaceful protests. Despite facing violence and detention, they continue to demand an end to fossil fuel investments and stress the urgency of climate action. At the bottom, an illustration shows two young human rights defenders holding signs that say ‘Stop EACOP' and ‘No to oil’ in upper-case letters.
Infographic titled 'Human Rights Defenders and the Sustainable Development Goals' with a focus on Goal number 14: Life Below Water. The SDG 14 icon is shown on the left, featuring a blue square with a white fish and waves. The infographic highlights how coastal communities and people living near lakes and rivers around the world are striving to protect the Earth’s waters. Yet their efforts are jeopardised by those who seek to control and exploit marine areas for profit. Since 2009, a group of communities in Papua New Guinea have united in the Alliance of Solwara Warriors to campaign against deep-sea mining. They are calling for a permanent ban on it in the country and eventually worldwide. An illustration at the bottom shows a traditional sailing canoe with two persons standing on it, holding a banner reading 'Ban deep sea mining.'
Infographic titled 'Human Rights Defenders and the Sustainable Development Goals' with a focus on Goal number 15: Life on Land. The SDG 15 icon is displayed on the left, featuring a green square with a white tree and birds, symbolising environmental conservation. The infographic discusses how human rights defenders in Tibet have been opposing mining and infrastructure projects that threaten local ecosystems and biodiversity for decades. In early 2024, they protested against a hydropower plant on the Jinsha River, which would cause environmental damage, destroy monasteries, and displace thousands. By speaking out, they risk being arrested and imprisoned by Chinese authorities, in some cases for more than 10 years. An illustration at the bottom shows a large hydropower dam set against green mountains.
Infographic titled 'Human Rights Defenders and the Sustainable Development Goals' with a focus on Goal number 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. The Goal 16 icon is displayed on the left, featuring ​​a white dove carrying an olive branch and perched on a gavel against a dark blue background. The text reads: Access to justice for all is essential to peace and the rule of law. In Egypt, human rights lawyer Hoda Abdel Moneim works to ensure legal representation for people jailed for exercising their human rights and has documented enforced disappearances to keep the chance of justice for such crimes alive. She is currently imprisoned in direct retaliation for her activities, prevented from continuing her work in a carousel of injustice designed by the Egyptian authorities. At the bottom, an illustration of Hoda Abdel Moneim, wearing glasses and a hijab, is included.
Infographic titled 'Human Rights Defenders and the Sustainable Development Goals' with a focus on Goal number 17, Partnerships for the Goals. The Goal 17 icon is displayed on the left, featuring a circular geometric design composed of five interlocking rings symbolising collaboration and interconnectedness, on a dark blue square background. The text reads: “The monitoring work carried out by human rights defenders everywhere is essential for tracking progress on the SDGs and ensuring States do not fall behind on their commitments. Tools such as Right to Defend Rights, developed by the Danish Institute for Human Rights, helps them do so. In Kenya, it was used by the National Commission on Human Rights to identify gaps in the implementation of the country’s human rights obligations.” At the bottom of the infographic is an illustration of a man holding a clipboard while a woman is speaking to him, representing the human rights monitoring process.
Image titled 'Human Rights Defenders and the Sustainable Development Goals'. Underneath is a colourful wheel representing the SDGs, with the text: "Read the full report: bit.ly/HRDsAndSDGs". At the bottom of the image is the logo of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders.
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