Joint statement: HRC43 – Support consensus renewal of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders

Human rights defenders are people who act with humanity, serve humanity and who contribute to and bring out the best in humanity. They are key to our daily lives – they work so our governments are more transparent and accountable, our environment cleaner and safer, our schools and workplaces fairer, and our futures more sustainable. As human rights defenders confront power, privilege and prejudice, they frequently face a wide range of risks and threats, including against their organisations and their families, friends and loved ones.

Despite their vital contribution, both some governments and non-State actors are still seeking to silence defenders as they expose injustices and demand accountability for all.

The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders is integral to their protection and recognition, globally. It gathers and responds to information on the situation of defenders around the world, engages constructively with governments and non-State actors and provides expert recommendations to promote the effective implementation of the Declaration on human rights defenders ("the Declaration").

In 2019, the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly supported the vital work of defenders. The Human Rights Council recognised the critical role of environmental human rights defenders in protecting natural ecosystems, addressing climate change, attaining the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The General Assembly passed by consensus a resolution focusing on implementation of the Declaration and some key elements of protection policy; the resolution also attracted a record number of co-sponsors.

At the 43rd session of the Council, States will consider a resolution extending the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for three years. This is a key opportunity for States and the Council to demonstrate their support and recognition for the indispensable role defenders play to ensure that all people enjoy freedom, dignity, justice and equality.

Civil society organisations* from across the world are calling on all States to support the extension of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur by:

• Participating positively in the negotiations on the resolution,

• Presenting early co-sponsorship of the text,

• Resisting any attempts to dilute the mandate or State obligations, and

• Supporting consensus renewal of the mandate.

List updated on a rolling basis*

1. International Service For Human Rights (ISHR)

2. Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD)

3. Sudanese Development Initiative

4. Partnership for Justice- Nigeria

5. Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain

6. European Center for Democracy and Human Rights

7. Polish Institute for Human Rights and Business

8. Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights

9. Centro de Justicia y Paz - Cepaz

10. World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)

11. International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)

12. Vietnam Committee on Human Rights (VCHR)

13. Business & Human Rights Resource Centre

14. Coordination des Associations et des Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience - EU

15. ARTICLE 19

16. The Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network

17. Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative

18. DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project)

19. The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association - ILGA World

20. Réseau Ouest Africain des Défenseurs des Droits Humains

21. Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies

22. Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)

23. Global Witness

24. Association for Advancement of Legal Right

25. Emonyo Yefwe International - Kenya

26. International Centre for Ethnic Studies- Sri Lanka

27. IFEX

28. Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada

29. Peace Brigades International

30. MENA Rights Group

31. Brot für die Welt

32. child rights connect

33. Amnesty International

34. Coalition Ivoirienne des Défenseurs des Droits Humains (CIDDH)

35. Coalition Burkinabé des Défenseurs des Droits Humains (CBDDH)

36. Dominicans for Justice and Peace

37. UPR-Info

38. International Work Group on Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA)

39. Coalition Malienne des Défenseurs des Droits Humains (COMADDH)

40. Réseau Ouest Africain des Défenseurs des Droits Humains

41. Seguridad en Democracia (SEDEM)

42. The ICCA Consortium

43. Natural Justice

44. URG (Universal Rights Group)

45. World Assembly of Youth (WAY)

46. Forest Peoples Programme

47. The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation

48. Freedom House

49. UIA-IROL (the Institute for the Rule of Law of the International Association of Lawyers)

50. FIDH

51. Rights and Accountability in Development (RAID)

52. Publish What You Pay UK

53. IMPACT

54. Publish What You Pay Australia

55. Transparency International – Initiative Madagascar

56. Witness Radio Uganda

57. Le comité de solidarité avec les victimes de violations des Droits Humains en Mauritanie

58. Protection International

59. Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns

60. In Difesa Di, per i diritti umani e chi li difende - Italy

61. Terra Nuova - Italy

62. COSPE - Italy

63. The United Methodist Church – General Board of Church and Society

64. The Association for Progressive Communications (APC)

For updates to the list of signatories, visit the ISHR website here.