HIGHLIGHTS OF RESULTS
In Colombia, relevant actors successfully addressed an increasing proportion of cases
regarding human rights violations that were identified by the Office. In 2019, there was a
reported increase in the violations of the rights of HRDs that often led to their deaths. At the
same time, the institution responsible for protecting these groups has not demonstrated
an increase in the delivery of effective protection measures. Against this background, UN
Human Rights’ contributions to the Committee for Risk Assessment and Recommendation
of Measures (CERREM) during the reporting period aimed to strengthen the Pathway for
Collective Prevention, which would enable government institutions to adopt informed measures
in response to threats being faced by HRDs. To date, UN Human Rights has conducted
23 workshops for 952 leaders and HRDs across the country to explain and disseminate
the legislation and characteristics of the protection route (requirements, procedures and
responsibilities) to local authorities and communities. In addition, UN Human Rights continued
to provide assistance related to requests for individual protection. The CERREM submitted
information provided by the field presences to relevant institutions. In 2019, UN Human
Rights participated in 58 sessions of the CERREM and presented a total of 7,214 cases for risk
assessment to determine the level of risk (extreme, extraordinary, ordinary).
P3
Business, policy-makers and the public at large
increasingly value and support civic space.
P4
Civil society assistance to victims of human
rights violations is strengthened. .
Multi-stakeholder dialogues on HRDs and civic space took place during specific sessions of
the Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights, in Geneva, in November, and at regional
consultations. Providing guidance for business on engaging, respecting and supporting human
rights defenders in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (in
coordination with the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders) is in progress.
In October, OHCHR and the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR), in Morocco, coorganized a workshop entitled “Towards legal protection for the safety and protection of
women’s human rights defenders.” For several years, OHCHR worked closely with a group of
40 WHRDs from the Arab region to build their capacity to engage with the international human
rights mechanisms. This work resulted in the establishment of the Regional Network for Women
Human Rights Defenders in 2019. This year’s workshop included a group of female and male
lawyers who were encouraged to collaborate with the WHRDs and use the international human
rights complaint systems. The WHRDs were also introduced to two human rights activists who
use art as a means to communicate messages about women’s rights.
The UN Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery and the UN Voluntary Fund
for Victims of Torture are providing financial (and substantive) support to CSOs that provide
assistance to victims of human rights violations. In 2019, for example, the directors of two
organizations supported by the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, Trial International
and Legal Action Worldwide, highlighted that the Voluntary Fund is a crucial partner in assisting
them to obtain judicial decisions guaranteeing redress for victims of international crimes, which
is essential for victims in the long term. In 2019, Legal Action Worldwide has received support
from the Fund for projects throughout South Asia, the Middle East and the Horn of Africa,
including in South Sudan and for Rohingya victims from Myanmar. In 2019, Trial International
has received support from the Fund for projects assisting victims from a number of countries,
including the DRC, the Gambia, Nepal and the Syrian Arab Republic.
Shifts:
Climate change
Corruption
Inequalities
New technologies
People on the move
UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2019 57
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