HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
INTRODUCTION
Protecting Those Who Defend Human Rights
Human rights defenders are individuals, groups, and organisations who work peacefully to promote, protect, and advance human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, justice, and the rule of law. Their work is essential to building open, inclusive, and accountable societies. Yet, across the world, many human rights defenders face intimidation, arbitrary arrest, judicial harassment, surveillance, violence, enforced disappearance, forced exile, and other forms of reprisals because of their legitimate activities. The Human Rights Defenders Programme is dedicated to protecting, empowering, and supporting human rights defenders at local, national, regional, and international levels. Guided by the principles of human dignity, solidarity, independence, equality, and respect for internationally recognised human rights standards, the programme works to ensure that defenders can carry out their legitimate work safely, freely, and without fear. Our work addresses a broad range of challenges affecting human rights defenders, including physical and digital security, arbitrary detention, transnational repression, legal persecution, restrictions on civic space, attacks against civil society, gender-specific risks, psychosocial wellbeing, and barriers to accessing justice and protection mechanisms. Through research, monitoring, documentation, advocacy, emergency assistance, capacity building, policy engagement, and international cooperation, CDDH strengthens protection systems and promotes an enabling environment for human rights defenders. By combining evidence-based action, strategic advocacy, institutional engagement, and international partnerships, the Human Rights Defenders Programme contributes to a world where those who defend the rights of others are recognised, protected, and empowered to continue their indispensable work in advancing human rights, democratic governance, justice, and lasting social change.
OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Strengthening Protection for Human Rights Defenders
The Human Rights Defenders Programme is committed to creating a safe, enabling, and supportive environment in which all human rights defenders can carry out their legitimate and peaceful work without fear of intimidation, harassment, arbitrary detention, violence, enforced disappearance, judicial persecution, digital surveillance, or other forms of reprisals. CDDH recognises that protecting human rights defenders is essential to strengthening democracy, promoting accountability, safeguarding civic space, and advancing respect for human rights and the rule of law. Our strategic priorities are designed to strengthen protection systems, enhance resilience, promote accountability, and ensure that defenders have access to the resources, networks, and mechanisms necessary to continue their work safely and effectively.
Our priorities include:
- Promoting the recognition, protection, and empowerment of human rights defenders in accordance with international and regional human rights standards.
- Strengthening national, regional, and international protection mechanisms for defenders at risk.
- Preventing reprisals, arbitrary detention, judicial harassment, enforced disappearance, torture, violence, and other forms of persecution against human rights defenders.
- Supporting emergency protection, legal assistance, relocation, digital security, psychosocial wellbeing, and rapid response initiatives.
- Strengthening the capacity, resilience, leadership, and security of human rights defenders and civil society organisations.
- Promoting accountability for attacks and violations committed against human rights defenders.
- Strengthening cooperation among governments, civil society organisations, National Human Rights Institutions, regional organisations, United Nations mechanisms, and international protection networks.
- Supporting legal, policy, and institutional reforms that create a safe and enabling environment for the legitimate work of human rights defenders.
Through these strategic priorities, CDDH works to strengthen protection systems, expand civic space, reinforce democratic participation, and ensure that human rights defenders can continue their work freely, safely, and effectively. By protecting those who defend the rights of others, the Human Rights Defenders Programme contributes to stronger democratic institutions, more resilient civil society, greater accountability, and societies where justice, freedom, and human dignity are respected.
AREAS OF ACTION
Protecting Human Rights Defenders Through Comprehensive Action
The Human Rights Defenders Programme works across a broad range of strategic areas to strengthen the protection, security, resilience, and effectiveness of individuals and organisations working peacefully to promote and defend human rights. Through research, monitoring, documentation, advocacy, emergency response, capacity building, policy engagement, and international cooperation, CDDH develops practical, evidence-based solutions that respond to both immediate protection needs and long-term structural challenges.
Our principal areas of action include:
Protection and Emergency Response
Providing emergency assistance, rapid response, safety planning, temporary relocation support, legal referrals, and other protection measures for human rights defenders facing imminent threats, intimidation, violence, arbitrary detention, or other forms of reprisals.
Advocacy and International Engagement
Conducting national, regional, and international advocacy to raise awareness of cases involving human rights defenders, mobilise international support, and encourage effective action by governments, regional organisations, United Nations mechanisms, and other relevant stakeholders.
Monitoring, Documentation and Reporting
Monitoring, documenting, verifying, and analysing threats, attacks, arbitrary detention, judicial harassment, enforced disappearance, digital surveillance, and other violations affecting human rights defenders to strengthen accountability and evidence-based advocacy.
Capacity Building and Resilience
Strengthening the knowledge, leadership, organisational capacity, security, and resilience of human rights defenders and civil society organisations through professional training, mentoring, networking, and institutional support.
Digital Security and Wellbeing
Supporting defenders in protecting their communications, information, and digital activities while promoting digital resilience, psychosocial wellbeing, and sustainable security practices.
Legal and Policy Reform
Promoting legal, policy, and institutional reforms that recognise, protect, and strengthen the legitimate role of human rights defenders in accordance with international human rights standards.
Together, these areas of action enable CDDH to provide comprehensive protection for human rights defenders while strengthening national, regional, and international systems that safeguard civic action, democratic participation, and human rights. Through strategic partnerships, evidence-based research, international cooperation, and long-term institutional engagement, the Human Rights Defenders Programme contributes to a world where defenders can carry out their work freely, safely, effectively, and without fear of persecution or reprisals.
OUR APPROACH
A Protection-Centred Approach to Supporting Human Rights Defenders
The Human Rights Defenders Programme adopts a comprehensive, protection-centred, and rights-based approach to safeguarding individuals and organisations working peacefully to promote and defend human rights. CDDH recognises that human rights defenders are indispensable to democratic governance, accountability, the rule of law, and the protection of fundamental freedoms. Their safety, independence, and ability to operate freely are essential for building open, inclusive, and resilient societies. Our approach combines prevention, protection, research, monitoring, documentation, advocacy, emergency response, legal assistance, capacity building, digital security, wellbeing, policy engagement, and international cooperation. By integrating these complementary areas of work, we respond to immediate protection needs while addressing the structural factors that place human rights defenders at risk.
Through this programme, we:
- Promote the recognition and protection of human rights defenders in accordance with international and regional human rights standards.
- Monitor, document, and analyse threats, attacks, reprisals, arbitrary detention, judicial harassment, enforced disappearance, torture, and other violations affecting human rights defenders.
- Provide emergency assistance, safety planning, referrals, and practical protection measures for defenders at risk.
- Strengthen digital security, organisational resilience, leadership, and psychosocial wellbeing.
- Support legal assistance, strategic advocacy, and access to national, regional, and international protection mechanisms.
- Promote legal, policy, and institutional reforms that create a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders.
- Strengthen the capacity of civil society organisations and protection networks through training, mentoring, and knowledge sharing.
- Build strategic partnerships with governments, National Human Rights Institutions, regional organisations, United Nations mechanisms, donors, and international protection networks.
Our work is guided by the principles of independence, impartiality, confidentiality, participation, accountability, non-discrimination, and respect for human dignity. We are committed to ensuring that every intervention is responsive to the needs and priorities of human rights defenders while reinforcing their safety, resilience, and long-term effectiveness. Through this integrated approach, CDDH contributes to a world where human rights defenders are recognised as essential actors for justice, democracy, and human rights, and where they can carry out their legitimate work freely, safely, and without fear of intimidation or reprisals.
ADVANCING THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
Protecting Those Who Protect the Rights of Others
At the Confederation for Democracy and Human Rights (CDDH), we believe that human rights defenders are indispensable to the promotion of justice, democracy, the rule of law, and the protection of fundamental freedoms. Their work strengthens institutions, empowers communities, exposes human rights violations, and promotes accountability. Protecting human rights defenders is therefore essential to safeguarding democratic societies and ensuring that human rights are respected for all. The Human Rights Defenders Programme is designed to create lasting impact by strengthening protection systems, supporting defenders at risk, combating impunity for attacks against defenders, and promoting an enabling environment where they can carry out their legitimate work safely and effectively. Through evidence-based action and strategic engagement, we transform international human rights standards into practical protection measures that respond to the evolving challenges faced by defenders around the world.
Through this programme, we seek to:
- Strengthen national, regional, and international protection mechanisms for human rights defenders.
- Provide emergency assistance, legal support, protection referrals, temporary relocation, and rapid response measures for defenders at risk.
- Prevent and respond to arbitrary detention, judicial harassment, torture, enforced disappearance, digital surveillance, transnational repression, and other forms of reprisals.
- Strengthen the capacity, resilience, leadership, security, and wellbeing of human rights defenders and civil society organisations.
- Promote legal, policy, and institutional reforms that recognise and protect the legitimate work of human rights defenders.
- Strengthen accountability for violations committed against human rights defenders through documentation, advocacy, and engagement with national, regional, and international mechanisms.
- Foster national and international solidarity by strengthening cooperation among governments, civil society organisations, National Human Rights Institutions, regional organisations, United Nations mechanisms, and international protection networks.
- Raise public awareness of the indispensable role played by human rights defenders in advancing democracy, human rights, justice, peace, and sustainable development.
Our impact extends beyond protecting individuals. By reinforcing protection systems, expanding civic space, strengthening accountability, and promoting institutional reform, CDDH contributes to societies where human rights defenders are recognised as legitimate actors of democratic change and are able to carry out their work without fear. Through research, advocacy, emergency protection, capacity building, institutional engagement, and international cooperation, the Human Rights Defenders Programme works toward a future where every defender is protected, empowered, and able to continue advancing human rights, democracy, justice, and the rule of law.
WORKING WITH PARTNERS
Building Partnerships to Protect Human Rights Defenders
The Confederation for Democracy and Human Rights (CDDH) believes that the effective protection of human rights defenders requires coordinated action across local, national, regional, and international levels. No single institution can address the complex risks faced by defenders alone. Sustainable protection depends on strong partnerships that combine expertise, solidarity, resources, rapid response, and long-term commitment to human rights. The Human Rights Defenders Programme works with a diverse network of partners to strengthen protection systems, expand civic space, promote accountability, and ensure that human rights defenders have access to the support and protection they need to continue their legitimate work.
Our partners may include:
- Human rights defenders and civil society organisations.
- National Human Rights Institutions.
- Governments, parliaments, and independent public institutions.
- United Nations agencies, Special Procedures, Treaty Bodies, and regional human rights mechanisms.
- International and regional protection networks.
- Legal professionals, bar associations, and strategic litigation partners.
- Universities, research institutes, and academic institutions.
- Independent media organisations, investigative journalists, and press freedom initiatives.
- Digital security experts, technology organisations, and cybersecurity specialists.
- Development agencies, philanthropic foundations, humanitarian organisations, and donor partners.
Through these partnerships, CDDH promotes joint advocacy, emergency protection, legal assistance, capacity building, research, documentation, policy dialogue, technical cooperation, knowledge sharing, and international solidarity to strengthen the protection of human rights defenders worldwide. Every partnership is guided by independence, confidentiality, mutual respect, transparency, accountability, inclusiveness, and a shared commitment to human rights. By working together, CDDH contributes to stronger protection systems, more resilient civil society, enhanced international cooperation, and a world where human rights defenders can carry out their work freely, safely, and without fear of intimidation, violence, or reprisals.
LOOKING AHEAD
Strengthening Protection for the Next Generation of Human Rights Defenders
The Confederation for Democracy and Human Rights (CDDH) remains committed to advancing the protection, recognition, and empowerment of human rights defenders in an increasingly complex global environment. As defenders face evolving challenges—including shrinking civic space, authoritarian practices, digital surveillance, transnational repression, strategic lawsuits, online harassment, arbitrary detention, and attacks against civil society—the Human Rights Defenders Programme will continue to develop innovative, evidence-based, and protection-centred solutions to address these emerging risks. Looking ahead, CDDH will strengthen its efforts to expand protection mechanisms, reinforce international solidarity, improve emergency response systems, and promote legal and institutional reforms that enable human rights defenders to carry out their work freely, safely, and effectively.
Our future priorities include:
- Strengthening national, regional, and international protection mechanisms for human rights defenders.
- Expanding emergency assistance, legal support, temporary relocation, digital security, and rapid response initiatives.
- Promoting stronger safeguards against arbitrary detention, judicial harassment, torture, enforced disappearance, digital surveillance, and transnational repression.
- Investing in leadership development, organisational resilience, psychosocial wellbeing, and long-term sustainability for defenders and civil society organisations.
- Strengthening cooperation with governments, National Human Rights Institutions, civil society networks, regional organisations, United Nations mechanisms, and international partners.
- Expanding research, monitoring, and documentation to anticipate emerging threats and strengthen evidence-based advocacy.
- Promoting legal, policy, and institutional reforms that create a safe and enabling environment for the legitimate work of human rights defenders.
- Strengthening international awareness and recognition of the indispensable role that human rights defenders play in protecting democracy, justice, peace, and human dignity.
Our vision is a future where every human rights defender is recognised, respected, protected, and empowered to continue defending the rights of others without fear of intimidation, persecution, violence, or reprisals. Through strategic leadership, international cooperation, continuous innovation, and an unwavering commitment to human dignity, CDDH will continue working to build a world where human rights defenders can safely contribute to stronger democratic institutions, more resilient civil society, and lasting respect for human rights and the rule of law.
CONTINUE EXPLORING
Continue Exploring Human Rights Defenders
The Human Rights Defenders Programme reflects CDDH's commitment to protecting the individuals and organisations who courageously promote and defend human rights around the world. Through protection, advocacy, research, emergency assistance, capacity building, documentation, and international cooperation, we work to ensure that defenders can carry out their legitimate work safely, freely, and effectively. We invite you to explore our related programmes and discover how they complement our efforts to protect those at risk, strengthen accountability, combat impunity, and advance justice for victims of human rights violations.
Continue Exploring
Political Prisoners
Learn how CDDH documents cases of politically motivated detention, promotes fair trial guarantees, advocates for the release of political prisoners, and supports victims and their families.
Political Exiles
Discover our work to protect individuals forced to flee persecution by promoting legal protection, international advocacy, durable solutions, and support for displaced human rights defenders and democracy activists.
Prevention of Torture & Ill-Treatment
Explore CDDH's efforts to prevent torture, strengthen detention monitoring, support survivors, and promote accountability for torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
Documentation & Investigations
Learn how CDDH documents, verifies, analyses, and preserves evidence of human rights violations to support advocacy, accountability, legal action, and institutional reform.
Accountability & Transitional Justice
Discover how CDDH promotes truth, justice, reparations, institutional reform, and guarantees of nonrecurrence while supporting national, regional, and international accountability processes.
Together, these programmes demonstrate CDDH's integrated approach to protecting human rights defenders through prevention, protection, documentation, advocacy, accountability, and international cooperation. By connecting these complementary areas of work, CDDH contributes to a world where defenders are recognised, protected, and empowered to continue advancing human rights, democracy, justice, and the rule of law.