The School of Global Studies is a member of the network Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI), which had its annual meeting in early September. Marking the 25-year anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Human Rights Defenders (HRD) by the UN General Assembly, the network issued a new statement.
They write:
“The adoption of the Declaration on HRDs by the UN General Assembly 25 years ago marked a turning point, enshrining the right to defend human rights together with many other rights necessary for HRDs in their work to promote all human rights for everyone. Among these rights, we stress the rights to freedom of assembly, association, opinion and expression, the right to develop and discuss new human rights ideas, the right to access and communicate with international bodies, the right to an effective remedy, the right to access funding to develop their work, and the right of HRDs to be protected.”
However, the AHRI network also highlights some important issues with the Declaration. For instance, it doesn't specifically address the growing stigma and criminalization faced by human rights defenders. It also fails to acknowledge that certain groups of defenders face unique threats and risks. Take, for example, women human rights defenders, LGBTQ+ activists, environmental defenders, journalists, scholars, indigenous rights advocates, child rights defenders (especially concerning their role in global environmental justice), and defenders with disabilities. These groups require extra protection due to the various forms of discrimination and vulnerabilities they face. Lastly, the Declaration doesn't mention the responsibilities of non-state actors, such as armed groups and private companies.
They write:
“We, as a global network of academic human rights institutes, call on the international community, international organisations, States, regional and local governments, non-State actors and academia to take responsibility for effective measures to protect HRDs, to support their activities, and to create and secure an enabling environment conducive to the full exercise of their rights, their effective protection, and their vital contribution to society.”
Read the declaration in full, in the document below.