IACHR and UN Human Rights: Protecting Human Rights Defenders is One of the Duties of States

8 de diciembre, 2023

Bogotá / Guatemala City / Mexico City / Panama City / La Paz / Lima / Tegucigalpa / Santiago de Chile / Washington, DC (December 9, 2023)—Today, we commemorate the International Day of Human Rights Defenders and the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the offices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Latin America recognize the work of human rights defenders and call on the States of the region to take all necessary measures to protect them.

Since the adoption of the declaration, measures and initiatives have been implemented to protect human rights defenders. These include establishing protection mechanisms, adopting statistical records on attacks, creating specialized units, and implementing protocols to investigate crimes and some national protection frameworks. However, challenges remain, and defending human rights continues to be a high-risk activity.

The level of violence against human rights defenders in Latin America is alarming. More defenders are murdered in the region than anywhere else in the world, a clear indication of the risks they face in carrying out their work.

Also of concern is the increase in criminalization and harassment against them in the form of unfounded legal actions that seek to impede their work and pose a serious threat to their personal freedom, psychological integrity, and the safety of their families. They are increasingly subjected to legal proceedings on unsubstantiated charges, sometimes using ambiguous legal definitions as a means of intimidation and repression. This seriously undermines the rule of law and democratic principles. These practices also send a dissuasive, intimidating message to activists and the broader defender community.

The outlook is further complicated by the lack of effective mechanisms to investigate, punish, and prevent these acts. Impunity for crimes committed against defenders continues to be a major challenge, as it perpetuates violence and repression and creates a climate of fear and vulnerability.

Of particular concern are defenders belonging to vulnerable groups, such as women, indigenous peoples, people of African descent, and the LGTBI+ community. The normalization of violence against these populations through misogynistic and homophobic discourse has contributed to this problem. The lack of a differentiated approach to investigating crimes against these groups exacerbates this discrimination.

We note with concern the growing trend of regressive policies that undermine the right to defend rights. This is manifested in restrictions on freedom of expression and association with the closure of nongovernmental organizations, the adoption of laws that restrict or impede their activities, as well as violations of the right to peaceful protest and the disproportionate use of force against demonstrators.
Stigmatizing discourse that seeks to discredit the work of human rights defenders persists. This is of particular concern when it comes from high-ranking State authorities. Stigmatizing public statements by State officials foster a climate of hostility and intolerance among various sectors of the population.

Furthermore, while the digital sphere has provided new platforms for promoting human rights and participating in public affairs, it has also allowed the proliferation of threats, intimidation, stigmatization, and acts of harassment. Similarly, the proliferation of digital tools has enabled a new dynamic of selective surveillance of defenders and other stakeholders in the civic space.

The IACHR and UN Human Rights reiterated their commitment to promoting the comprehensive protection of human rights defenders in the region. The 25th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders is an opportunity for all stakeholders to renew their commitment to protecting and guaranteeing the right to defend human rights. Consequently, they call on States to strengthen prevention and protection measures and guarantee a safe, enabling environment for defenders to carry out their invaluable work.

The defense of human rights is fundamental to the development of just, inclusive, and democratic societies, and human rights defenders must be supported and protected as they go about their work.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for and to defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) is part of the United Nations Secretariat and is mandated by General Assembly resolution 48/141 of 1993. UN Human Rights, headed by the High Commissioner, is mandated to promote and protect human rights for all people everywhere.

 

No. 280/23

9:00 AM