Human rights defenders are people who stand up for other people’s rights. Their actions to promote and protect human rights must not be violent. The term “human rights defender” covers both individuals and groups who work to promote and protect human rights – civil and political as well as economic, social and cultural rights. Defenders of these rights include lawyers, activists, journalists, bloggers, authors, health workers, artists, trade union leaders and teachers.
The extent to which there are restrictions to human rights defenders’ room for maneuver is an important indicator of the human rights situation and the political situation in general of a country.
The annual Human Rights Dialogue between Vietnam and Norway took place in Hanoi on 23 November 2010. Among the topics raised from the Norwegian side was the important role of human rights defenders.
Protecting human rights defenders is a main priority in Norway’s human rights policy. Below you will find guidelines for the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the diplomatic missions abroad on “Norway’s efforts to support human rights defenders”. The main objective of these guidelines is to intensify and systematize efforts of supporting human rights defenders and their work.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navi Pillay, has issued the following statement on the occasion of the Human Rights Day 2010. Here she talks about the courage and commitment of human rights defenders and how the Human Rights Day 2010 is dedicated to their battle against discrimination.
For more information about the United Nation Human Rights Day 2010, see also the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navi Pillay, speaks on the occassion of the Human Rights Day 10 December 2010. Photo: UNOHCHR