List of abbreviations ACHR American Convention on Human Rights CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women CAT Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment CRC Convention on the Rights of the Child CRPD Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ECHR Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (European Convention on Human Rights) ECtHR European Court of Human Rights EU European Union FCNM Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities IAHCR Inter-American Commission on Human Rights ICCPR International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ICERD International Covenant on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination ICESCR International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights LGBTI Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex NGO Non-governmental organization NHRI National human rights institution ODIHR Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights OPCAT Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment OSCE Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe PACE Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe UDHR Universal Declaration of Human Rights UN United Nations UNGA United Nations General Assembly Guidelines on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders vii