International Day of Human Rights Defenders: Joint Statement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the IACHR

December 6, 2024

Bogotá / Guatemala City / Mexico City / Panama City / Lima / Tegucigalpa / Santiago de Chile / Washington, DC — On the International Day of Human Rights Defenders, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) urge States in the Americas to end the criminalization of human rights defenders. This practice infringes on their fundamental rights and undermines democracy and the rule of law.

The criminalization of human rights defenders is on the rise in the Americas and seeks to silence them or obstruct their work. It often involves the misuse of criminal law and justice systems through unfounded charges, the inappropriate application of ambiguous or overly broad criminal offenses that allow for discretionary interpretations, and the misuse of precautionary measures, such as pretrial detention or travel bans, to intimidate defenders. These actions are frequently accompanied by smear and stigmatization campaigns, which foster a climate of hostility and often weaken social networks or force defenders into exile.

These tactics disproportionately target defenders of the environment, land, territory, and the rights of Indigenous peoples, who face significant pressure from authorities and private actors with ties to extractive projects that may jeopardize natural resources and their ancestral territories.  Alarmingly, such practices are also used to intimidate justice operators who uphold the rule of law through their work and promote human rights by combating corruption and impunity.

The criminalization of human rights defenders has an intimidating effect, discouraging the defense of human rights, which has an impact at both the individual and collective levels. Women human rights defenders and their families experience particularly severe repercussions.

UN Human Rights and the IACHR reaffirm their commitment to protecting human rights defenders and call on States to ensure that no unfounded criminal proceedings are initiated against them simply for legitimately carrying out their work. Recognizing and safeguarding defenders’ work is essential for strengthening democracy, the rule of law, and justice across the Americas.

Finally, both organizations have expressed grave concern over the high levels of violence against human rights defenders and urge States to take decisive action to prevent such violence, provide protection in situations of risk, and investigate and prosecute those responsible. 
 
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The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) is an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS) whose mandate is based on the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. Its mission is to promote and defend human rights throughout the Americas and to serve as an advisory body to the OAS in this area. The IACHR consists of seven independent members elected by the OAS General Assembly who serve in a personal capacity and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) is part of the United Nations Secretariat and operates under General Assembly resolution 48/141 of 1993. Led by the High Commissioner, its mandate is to promote and protect the human rights of all people everywhere. 

No. 310/24

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