Human rights defenders
Protecting and promoting Human Rights
Defenders and their work across Europe
 Human
Rights Defenders are among the main actors contributing to the effective
observance and full enjoyment of human rights in the Council of
Europe’s member States. Their protection and the development of
an enabling environment for their activities are at the core of
the
mandate of the Commissioner for Human Rights.
The Commissioner’s role has been reinforced through the Committee
of Ministers’
Declaration on Council of Europe action to improve the protection
of human rights defenders and promote their activities. Its
adoption, in February 2008, marked the strong commitment of Council
of Europe member States to offer effective protection to human rights
defenders and their work, especially in situations of danger. It
further calls upon Council of Europe bodies and institutions to
pay special attention to issues concerning human rights defenders
and their work.
Furthermore, the Declaration invites the Commissioner for Human
Rights to strengthen his role and capacity of his Office in order
to provide strong and effective protection for human rights defenders
by:
continuing to act upon information received from human rights
defenders and other relevant sources, including ombudsmen or national
human rights institutions;
continuing to meet with a broad range of defenders during his
country visits and to report publicly on the situation of human
rights defenders;
intervening, in the manner the Commissioner deems appropriate,
with the competent authorities, in order to assist them in looking
for solutions, in accordance with their obligations, to the problems
which human rights defenders may face, especially in serious situations
where there is a need for urgent action;
working in close co-operation with other intergovernmental organisations
and institutions, in particular the OSCE/ODHIR focal point for human
rights defenders, the European Union, the United Nations Secretary
General’s Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders and other
existing mechanisms.The Committee of Ministers’ Declaration
is the outcome of the work of the
Group of Specialists on Human Rights Defenders and the
Colloquy “Protecting and Supporting Human Rights Defenders in Europe”
held in Strasbourg in November 2006.
To submit information:
Information regarding the status of human rights defenders
and their work, including reports on threats and violations
of their human rights, in the
47 member States of the Council of Europe can be submitted
at:
Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights
Human Rights’ Defenders Programme
Council of Europe
F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex, FRANCE
+ 33 (0)3 90 21 50 53
Contact us by email
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