Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders A/HRC/19/55/Add.2 para
193
Full recommendation:
The Special Rapporteur urges the Government to take the necessary measures to guarantee the
existence of an environment in which all human rights defenders can carry out their legitimate
work without risk to their physical and psychological integrity or to any form of restriction,
harassment, intimidation or fear of persecution, in accordance with the fundamental principles
endorsed in the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. On the subject of defenders working to
promote women’s rights, she encourages the Government to pay particular attention to the
recommendations given in her report to the Human Rights Council in 2011 (A/HRC/16/44,
para.109-112).
Assessment using Impact Iran human rights indicators1
A. The Special Rapporteur urges the Government to take the necessary measures to
guarantee the existence of an environment in which all human rights defenders can
carry out their legitimate work without risk to their physical and psychological
integrity or to any form of restriction, harassment, intimidation or fear of
persecution, in accordance with the fundamental principles endorsed in the
Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
The UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), adopted by consensus by the UN
General Assembly in 1998, recognises the role of HRDs in the advancement of human rights and
requires specific measures for their protection due to their exposure to additional and specific
risks. While the Declaration is not a binding document, it articulates existing international human
rights in a context applicable to the work of HRDs. Notably, the Declaration reiterates the State’s
duty to protect the rights to freedom of expression,2 assembly3 and association4 for all, and
specifically calls on States to guarantee these rights as they are crucial for any type of human
rights work.5
1
CCPR.19.2.S.1; CCPR.19.3.S.1; CCPR.21.1.S.1; CCPR.22.1.S.2
CCPR.21.1.P.1; CCPR.21.1.P.2;
CCPR.19.2.O.2; CCPR.19.2.O.5; CPPR.21.1.O.2 ; CCPR.21.1.O.3; CCPR.22.1.O.1
2
Article 19, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
3
Article 21, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
4
Article 22, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
5
OHCHR, https://www.ohchr.org/en/issues/srhrdefenders/pages/declaration.aspx
1