Human rights defenders – whether human rights monitors, activists or journalists – actively seek justice, accountability and transparency for human rights abuses by working alone or in collaboration with others, at the local, national and/or international levels.
Human rights activists face increasing threats
Over the past year, Article 19 has witnessed that human rights defenders across the world have faced ever increasing threats to both themselves and their families simply for exercising their right to freedom of expression and speaking out against discrimination, exclusion, oppression and violence.
This issue, which confronts states such as Mexico, Egypt, Sri Lanka and the People´s Republic of China among many others, deserves more focussed attention and action by the international community.
“Chilling effect”
Yet, too often, a culture of impunity surrounds such threats and actual attacks on human rights defenders who have raised their voices against violations. The denial of human rights defenders’ rights leads to a “chilling effect” on their right to freedom of
expression, impedes the public’s “right to know” and is a significant restraint upon their ability to hold state and non-state actors accountable for abuses.
Article 19 therefore urges states to properly implement their existing international human rights obligations to protect human rights defenders, including those indicated in the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
State officials or agents should not be involved directly or indirectly in targeted attacks against human rights defenders for exercising their right to speak out against human rights abuses, or any other reason.
Attacks should be investigated
Any attacks on human rights defenders, wherever they occur, should be promptly and thoroughly investigated by a competent, independent and impartial body established by the state.
The state authorities should hold accountable all persons found to have committed abuses against human rights defenders, regardless of political affiliation or rank, and according to procedures that meet international standards of due process. States should prevent, punish and redress the harm caused by state or private actors, including unidentified armed groups, to human rights defenders.
Article 19 also hopes that Human Rights Day 2010 will inspire and embolden a new generation of human rights defenders to speak up to end discrimination and 
other human rights violations whenever and wherever they are manifested.
Speak up, stop discrimination
The theme for Human Rights Day 2010 is human rights defenders who act to end discrimination. Human Rights Day’s 2010 slogan is “Speak up, stop discrimination”.
On 10 December 2010 UN are going to highlight and promote the achievements of human rights defenders and it will again emphasize the primary responsibility governments have to enable and protect their role.
HRH London, based on Article 19 press release and United Nations information.
Related links:
Rafto Prize laureate speeks about human rights crisis in Mexico
Kyrgyzstan: HR reporter gets life sentence, journalist remains detained
