2023

human rights situation of human rights defenders in the Americas

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) will prepare a third report on the human rights situation of human rights defenders in the Americas.

This third report aims to present the current panorama under which human rights defenders defend human rights on a regional and intersectional basis, identifying the main risks and threats they face that derive from their defense activities and the challenges presented for their effective protection.

Within this framework, the Commission invites States, civil society organizations, human rights defenders, academic organizations, institutions, and interested persons to submit information.

Deadline to respond: January 15, 2024 (deadline extended until March 15)

Send responses to: CIDHmonitoreo@oas.org.



2022

Questionnaire on the Human Rights of Environmental Defenders in Countries in Northern Central America

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is working on a report on the human rights of environmental defenders in countries in northern Central America.

The aim of this report is to gather information concerning the situation of defenders of the environment, land, and natural resources in Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador.

The document seeks to describe the main risks these individuals face, as well as the reasons and sources of any such risks. The report further intends to assess major progress and pending challenges in efforts to protect these environmental defenders and ensure that conditions are right for the defense of the environment. The report is also set to issue recommendations for States.

The IACHR invites States, civil society organizations, human rights defenders, academic institutions, and other stakeholders to make their contributions on the following topics:

  1. Causes and ways in which defenders stand up for the environment in northern Central American countries
  2. Main groups who are at risk due to their work in defense of environmental rights, and main risks individual environmental rights defenders face
  3. Types of attacks that have been seen against environmental rights defenders (threats, murders, criminalization, slander, etc.)—Disaggregate figures based on the type of aggression, the activity of the defender who was attacked, their gender, the geographical area, and the likely perpetrators
  4. Sources and origin of these risks, ties to development or extractive projects, and factors that affect risk persistence; existing context or structural conditions that affect the persistence of these risks in any given country
  5. Progress and challenges in efforts to mitigate and/or eradicate risks for environmental defenders—Highlight the main protection and prevention measures adopted by States in northern Central America
  6. Main factors that have led to the criminalization of environmental defenders in countries in northern Central America, and main crime or misdemeanor categories used to that effect—Mention specific cases, if known
  7. Obstacles that have been identified for the defense of the environment through judicial proceedings
  8. Progress made and pending challenges in efforts to fight impunity in cases involving environmental defenders in northern Central American countries—Include detailed information concerning the state of specific investigations, and any particular challenges that have been identified
  9. Suggestions and recommendations to achieve effective protection of environmental defenders in countries in northern Central America

This questionnaire can be partially or fully completed, depending on the available information. Research, reports, and other relevant pre-existing and/or published documents may also be submitted. The IACHR appreciates all contributions submitted as input for this report.

Questionnaire answers must be emailed to cidhdefensores@oas.org . The email subject should say: “Environmental defenders in northern Central America”.

Information may be submitted in English, French, Portuguese, and/or Spanish. Please keep contributions concise and objective, and make sure they are based on verifiable sources and address events that have happened in the past 5 years.

Submission deadline : Midnight of February 12, 2022 (time in Washington, D.C.)



2016

Questionnaire to assist in the preparation of a report on national protection mechanisms for human rights defenders

The Inter-American Commission invites States, civil society, and other non-State actors to answer the questionnaire and contribute any additional information possible for analysis, as part of the preparation of the report.

Responses to this questionnaire must be submitted no later than August 15, 2016 to CIDHDefensores@oas.org and CIDHTematico@oas.org. Please indicate in subject line of email the country about which information is being provided.

If you do not have internet access, responses may be sent to the following address:

Attn: Questionnaire on national protection mechanisms for human rights defenders
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Organization of American States
1889 F Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C., 20006
United States of America



2014

Questionnaire for States and Civil Society to Assist in the Preparation of a Report on the Criminalization of Human Rights Defenders through the Misuse of Criminal Law

On August 1, 2014, the Rapporteurship on Human Rights Defenders published a questionnaire of consultation with States and civil society for the elaboration of a report on the the Criminalization of Human Rights Defenders through the Misuse of Criminal Law. The deadline to respond is Octuber 16, 2014.

The answers must be sent to cidhdefensores@oas.org with the following words in the Subject: Questionnaire on Criminalization.

In case of no access to Internet, responses may be mailed to:

Rapporteurship on Human Rights Defenders

Ref: Questionnaire on Criminalization
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Organization of American States
1889 F Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C., 20006
United States of America



2012

Questionnaire on the Situation of Justice Operators in the Americas

On January 15, 2013, the Rapporteurship on Human Rights Defenders published a questionnaire of consultation with States and civil society for the elaboration of a report on the situation of justice operators in the Americas. The deadline to submit responses was initially on February 15, 2013. On February 27, 2013, the IACHR published an announcement informing of the decision to postpone the deadline until March 15, 2013.



2010

Questionnaire on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders

In December 2010, the then Unit on Human Rights Defenders sent to States and civil society a Questionnaire aiming to follow-up on the recommendations of the 2006 Report on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders. The deadline to receive answers was April 1, 2011.



2008

Questionnaire on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders

In November 2008, the then Unit on Human Rights Defenders sent to States and civil society a Questionnaire aiming to follow-up on the recommendations of the 2006 Report on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders.