“In 2020 alone, over 300 rights defenders were killed; thousands were targeted, persecuted, harassed, attacked, smeared or undermined. The first step to addressing this appalling situation must be by examining how we can ensure and improve the protection of human rights defenders.” Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders
A report by the Human Rights House Foundation: “Protecting Defenders” shows that although the infrastructure for protection is present, it is not without gaps. These findings act as a tool for organisations protecting human rights defenders, as well as states and donors wishing to align their protection support with the local needs. The study reveals common trends concerning the needs of the human rights defenders in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Ukraine. The report was based on the interviews conducted with over 200 HRDs between 2019-2020.
Download the full report: in English or in Russian.
Download the Factsheet.
General enquiries about the report can be sent to info@humanrightshouse.org