A/HRC/RES/13/13
Recognizing the immediate need to put an end to and take concrete steps to prevent
threats, harassment, violence, including gender-based violence, and attacks by States and
non-State actors against all those engaged in the promotion and protection of human rights
and fundamental freedoms for all,
1.
Takes note of the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human
rights defenders (A/HRC/13/22) on the security and protection of human rights defenders;
2.
Urges States to promote a safe and enabling environment in which human
rights defenders can operate free from hindrance and insecurity;
3.
Underscores that the legal framework within which human rights defenders
work peacefully to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms is that of
national legislation consistent with the Charter of the United Nations and international
human rights law;
4.
Urges States to publicly acknowledge the legitimate role of human rights
defenders and the importance of their work as an essential component of ensuring their
protection;
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Encourages States to create and strengthen mechanisms for consultation and
dialogue with human rights defenders, including through establishing a focal point for
human rights defenders within the public administration where it does not exist, with the
aim of, inter alia, identifying specific needs for protection, including those of women
human rights defenders, and ensuring the participation of human rights defenders in the
development and implementation of targeted protection measures;
6.
Urges States to take timely and effective action to prevent and protect against
attacks on and threats to persons engaged in promoting and defending human rights and
fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Declaration and their relatives, when they are
attacked or threatened as a result of these activities, including through the possibility of
developing, in consultation with human rights defenders, an early warning system to
facilitate broader awareness of imminent risks and to enable effective responses;
7.
Also urges States not to discriminate against human rights defenders on any
grounds, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or
social origin, property, birth or other status, and to desist, in this context, from any
discriminatory measures against them, including intimidation, profiling, confiscation of
assets, suspension of activities and exclusion from national consultative processes;
8.
Calls upon States to fully support the role of human rights defenders in
situations of armed conflict and provide them with the protection due to all civilians in such
situations;
9.
Welcomes the role of national human rights institutions as human rights
defenders and protectors, and encourages States to strengthen the mandate and capacity of
national human rights institutions where they exist, as necessary, to enable them to fulfil
this role effectively and in accordance with the Paris Principles;
10.
Calls upon States to ensure both coordination within national and local levels
and that those involved in the protection of human rights defenders and their relatives are
trained in human rights and the protection-related needs of human rights defenders at risk,
including those promoting the rights of members of marginalized groups;
11.
Also calls upon States to allocate resources for the effective implementation
of necessary protection measures, including specific training for persons involved in their
implementation;
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