implement non-legislative texts, such as national action plans or strategies, on
the protection of human rights defenders; develop and maintain regular contacts
with human rights defenders; provide public recognition for the work of human
rights defenders (e.g., by organizing hearings and parliamentary debates and by
establishing awards for human rights defenders); support assistance and protection measures for human rights defenders at risk; and provide publicity for protection mechanisms and the UN and Council of Europe declarations on human rights
defenders.419 Parliamentarians in OSCE participating States should be encouraged
to take these and other measures, including with a view to promoting the present
Guidelines and effective follow-up thereof.
274. In 2010, the UN Human Rights Council encouraged states “to create and strengthen
mechanisms for consultation and dialogue with human rights defenders, including through establishing a focal point for human rights defenders within the public administration where it does not exist, with the aim of, inter alia, identifying
specific needs for protection, including those of women human rights defenders,
and ensuring the participation of human rights defenders in the development and
implementation of targeted protection measures”.420 Where human rights defenders face major threats to their dignity as well as physical and psychological integrity, participating States should develop and implement appropriate national policies, programmes or mechanisms for the protection of human rights defenders.
Where necessary, participating States should also consider setting up or designating consultative and co-ordinating bodies to administer the implementation of
such protection programmes and policies. Where such bodies exist or are created,
they should also be tasked with leading the baseline review and subsequent monitoring of the implementation of the present Guidelines, as well as other relevant
standards and commitments. Depending on their mandate and the specific circumstances in the country, such bodies should include, among others, representatives of the following: relevant ministries; law enforcement and the judiciary;
national, regional and local authorities; parliament; and national human rights
institutions (NHRIs), as well as independent human rights defenders representing the broad range and diversity of human rights defenders active in the country.
Where relevant, consideration should also be given to include inter-governmental
organizations, including their field presences.
275. T he UNGA has encouraged states to t ranslate the UN Declaration on Human Rights
Defenders and to take measures to ensure its widest possible dissemination at the
national and local levels, including among public officials and non-state actors. It
419 Ibid. para. 13. In its 2012 Resolution on the situation of human Rights defenders in Council of Europe member States, the Assembly reiterated its call on national parliaments and their members to ensure that “legislation relating to human rights defenders and their work is in conformity with international standards, and they
refrain from adopting laws imposing undue restrictions and administrative burdens on human rights defenders,
or, if appropriate, repeal such laws”, and that “human rights NGOs and defenders are involved in the process of
drafting legislation concerning them through proper public consultations.” See Resolution 1891 (2012), para. 6.
420 UN Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/RES/13/13 para. 5. The Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe also called on member States of the organization to “set up appropriate infrastructures and
assistance programmes for human rights defenders at risk”. See PACE Resolution 1660 (2009), para. 12.1.
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Guidelines on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
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