At HRC52 GANHRI reaffirms key role of HRDs in promoting and protecting human rights at the global level
15th March 2023 – Today at the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council we welcomed the report of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), Mary Lawlor, and joined her in celebrating the many successes of human rights defenders worldwide over the past 25 years.
“The protection of the independence of HRDs and NHRIs that face threats or reprisals is a fundamental commitment for GANHRI” – said Raquel Caballero de Guevara, Procuradora of NHRI El Salvador and Chairperson of RINDCHA who delivered the statement on GANHRI’s behalf.
It includes building NHRIs’ capacities in monitoring civic space and the situation of human rights defenders, supporting the establishment of protection mechanisms for defenders as well as promoting positive narratives on the work of human rights defenders.
We also supported the Special Rapporteur’s call on States and businesses to create a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders to engage in their work, by condemning any attacks or threats they may face and the importance of promoting the work and achievements of human rights defenders.
Finally, we called on all States to support the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur and reiterated our full commitment to supporting her work.
To support NHRIs in the critical role they play in this process, GANHRI developed an Action Plan aimed at empowering and supporting NHRIs, which themselves require protection as human rights defenders, strengthening their role in promoting and protecting civic space and defenders.
