OEA/Ser.P
AG/RES. 1818 (XXXI-O/01)
5 June 2001
Original: Spanish
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN THE AMERICAS: SUPPORT FOR THE
INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS, AND ORGANIZATIONS OF CIVIL SOCIETY WORKING
TO PROMOTE
AND PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE AMERICAS
(Resolution adopted at the third plenary session, held on
June 5, 2001;
subject to review by the Style Committee)
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
HAVING SEEN resolution AG/RES. 1711 (XXX-O/00), "Human
Rights Defenders in the Americas," which instructs the
Permanent Council to promote the examination of this matter in
the context of the dialogue on strengthening and enhancing the
inter-American human rights system, and to report on the
implementation thereof;
CONSIDERING:
That in the context of the dialogue on the functioning of the
system, and pursuant to the mandate contained in operative
paragraph 3 of resolution AG/RES. 1711 (XXX-O/00), on February
28, 2001, the Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs of
the Permanent Council held a meeting at which it considered the
topic and engaged in constructive dialogue that involved
representatives of various regional and national nongovernmental
human rights organizations active in member states; and
That in its recent annual reports, the Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has expressed its grave
concern over the situation of human rights defenders in the
region, and has recommended that the member states should take
the necessary steps to protect the life, personal security, and
freedom of expression of those who work to ensure respect for
fundamental rights, in accordance with the collective commitment
expressed in OAS General Assembly resolutions AG/RES. 1671 (XXIX-O/99)
and AG/RES. 1711 (XXX-O/00);
BEARING IN MIND the practice of the IACHR in this area, and
the measures it has taken to protect the fundamental rights of
defenders;
RECALLING:
That at the Second Summit of the Americas, held in Santiago,
Chile, the Heads of State and Government affirmed that
"respect for and promotion of human rights and the
fundamental freedoms of all individuals is a primary concern of
our governments"; and that while at the Third Summit of the
Americas, held in Quebec, Canada, they pledged to "seek to
promote and give effect to the United Nations Declaration on
Human Rights Defenders"; and
That the OAS General Assembly has stated its consistent views
on this subject, reiterating its recommendation that member
states "grant the necessary guarantees and facilities to
enable non-governmental human rights organizations to continue
contributing to the promotion and protection of human rights,
and that they respect the freedom and safety of the members of
such organizations";
RECOGNIZING the important work, at both the national and
regional levels, of human rights defenders in the Americas, as
well as their valuable contribution to the protection and
promotion of fundamental rights and freedoms;
CONCERNED over the persistence in the Americas of situations
that directly or indirectly prevent or hamper the work of
individuals, groups, or organizations working to protect and
promote fundamental rights; and
AWARE of the need to observe the essential aims, principles,
and standards set forth in inter-American and international
instruments in this area,
RESOLVES:
1. To reiterate its support for the work carried out, at both
the national and regional levels, by human rights defenders; and
to recognize their valuable contribution to the protection,
promotion, and observance of human rights and fundamental
freedoms in the Americas.
2. To deplore acts that directly or indirectly prevents or
hampers the work of human rights defenders in the Americas.
3. To urge member states to step up their efforts to adopt
the necessary measures, in keeping with their domestic law and
with internationally accepted principles and standards, to
guarantee the life, personal safety, and freedom of expression
of human rights defenders.
4. To invite member states to publicize and enforce the
instruments of the inter-American system and the decisions of
its bodies in this matter, as well as the United Nations
Declaration on the right and responsibility of individuals,
groups, and institutions to promote and protect universally
recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms.
5. To request the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)
to continue to pay due attention to the situation of human
rights defenders in the Americas and to consider preparing a
comprehensive study in this area which, inter alia, describes
their work, for study by the pertinent political authorities.
6. To instruct the Permanent Council to follow up on this
resolution and to report to the General Assembly at its
thirty-second regular session on the implementation thereof.
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