Human Rights Defenders Guidelines

In 1998 the UN adopted the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. It recognises the critical role of individuals in defending and promoting human rights.  These individuals are often at risk and need to be valued and protected – and this is a shared, international responsibility of governments and other duty bearers.

Since 1998 many governments have adopted guidelines on human rights that set out how they will support human rights defenders – including through their diplomacy and the work of their diplomats and diplomatic missions.  Human rights defenders can use these guidelines to seek the help and support of governments who have a duty to act in their defence.

Below are links to some of these Guidelines and to useful resources on for human rights defenders.