Killings of human rights defenders are often preceded by signs or forewarnings, often in the form of online or offline threats, including explicit death threats. One study found that 85% of killings of defenders are preceded by a direct threat to the defender killed or to another defender in their area.
In line with the Special Rapporteur’s report to the 46th Session of the Human Rights Council, “Final warning: death threats and killings of human rights defenders”, below are some examples of threats that human rights defenders have faced in retaliation for their work.