Misusing the law to clamp down on human rights defenders

The UN expert on human rights defenders says governments are continuing to restrict and even criminalize human rights work in different countries.

High Commissioner pays tribute to civil rights activist Rosa Parks

On the 100th anniversary of the birth of civil rights activist, Rosa Parks, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay says her spirit will continue to inspire collective efforts to realize our fundamental rights.

Freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly

States must find a balance between their duty to protect and the responsibility to guarantee freedoms says Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Kyung-wha Kang addressing a conference in the Middle East.

Who will protect environmental human rights defenders?

UN expert says that environmental human rights defenders face “extraordinary risks” to their safety.

Preventing intimidation and reprisals against human rights defenders

The UN urges Governments to prevent and refrain from all acts of intimidation or reprisal against those who cooperate with the Organization and other mechanisms on the issue of human rights.

Defending defenders

The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders says that in many countries it is still very dangerous to be a human rights defender.

Human rights chief meets with human rights defenders

UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay meets with human rights defenders from the Middle East and North Africa.

UN Human Rights Chief’s dialogue with civil society in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory

UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay meets human rights defenders in East Jerusalem, West Jerusalem, Ramallah and Gaza City.

Bringing visibility to the plight of African descendants in the Americas

On this International Year for People of African descent, we highlight the stories of human rights defenders working to stop discrimination in the Americas.

Defending the rights of African descendants in the Americas

On this International Year for People of African descent, we highlight the stories of human rights defenders working to stop discrimination in South America.

Human rights defender from Palestine creates video project documenting abuses

Human Rights defender Issa Amro from Hebron city in the West Bank says you have to be strong to be a human rights defender, because it is very dangerous work

Human Rights defender in Mozambique finds a voice

Danilo de Silva Mussagy, a human rights defender from Mozambique, says his own experience motivated him to work to end discrimination against individuals on the basis of their sex or sexual orientation.

Indian human rights defender fights to end Roma discrimination

Sri Kumar Vishwanathan, an Indian human rights defender, fights to end discrimination against the Roma in the Czech Republic.

Romanian human rights defender advocates for children’s lives

Adriana Tontsch, a human rights defender from Romania, advocates for children’s lives and says access to health care is a human rights issue.

Criticism is not a crime: Human Rights Day 2010

On Human Rights Day 2010 UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay pays tribute to human rights defenders and says it is time we all did a better job of defending the defenders.

Defending the defenders: Human Rights Day 2010

In a special message sent to the Geneva 2010 Human Rights Day event Myanmar’s recently released Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi appeals for solidarity in the struggle for human rights.

Defending sexual diversity in South America

2010 marked a milestone for gay rights in South America with Argentina becoming the first country to legislate for same sex marriage

Ludmilla Alexeeva – a veteran human rights defender

Ludmilla Alexeeva, one of the best-known human rights defenders in Europe today speaks of her hopes for the next generation of human rights advocates in Russia.

Human rights defender from Gaza advocates for women

Zeinab-Al-Ghonaimy, human rights defender from Gaza, advocates for an end to discrimination against women.