Letters

Support renewal of Special Rapporteur mandate on human rights defenders

In a letter to Member States of the UN Human Rights Council, 85 civil society organisations, coming from all regions, urge delegations to
support the renewal of the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.

Published: March 8, 2017

The letter states that the work of human rights defenders is vital to promoting human rights, upholding the rule of law, and achieving sustainable and inclusive development, yet despite this critical role, the Special Rapporteur notes that defenders are under ‘unprecedented attack’ with ‘the number killed around the world continuously rising’.

In turn, the letter states that the mandate of the Special Rapporteur is key to provide visibility of the situation of defenders and highlight the need for their protection.

The 85 civil society organisations, including Human Rights House Foundation, urge delegations to support the extension of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur by participating positively in the negotiations on the resolution, and in time co-sponsor the text.

Read the full letter to Member States of the UN Human Rights Council.

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