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OHCHR 
Annual thematic reports
Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders
The Special Rapporteur submits annual thematic reports to the March session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) and to the General Assembly (GA) in October. Thematic reports document the Special Rapporteur’s findings on particular topics and provide guidance and recommendations for UN member States, civil society organizations and other stakeholders.
| Year | Presented | Subject of the report | Report and related links |
| 2023 | GA 78th session | Pathways to peace: women human rights defenders in conflict, post-conflict and crisis-affected settings | A/78/131 |
| 2022 | GA 77th session | Refusing to turn away: human rights defenders working on the rights of refugees, migrants and asylum-seekers | A/77/178 |
| 2022 | HRC 52th session | Success through perseverance and solidarity: 25 years of achievements by human rights defenders | A/HRC/52/29 |
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2022 |
HRC 49th session |
At the heart of the struggle: human rights defenders working against corruption |
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2021 |
GA 76th session |
States in denial: the long-term detention of human rights defenders |
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2021 |
HRC 46th session |
Final warning: death threats and killings of human rights defenders |
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2021 |
HRC 46th session |
Observations on communications
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2020 |
GA 75th session |
Special Rapporteur priorities for the mandate |
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2020 |
HRC 43rd session |
Human rights defenders operating in conflict and post-conflict situations Observations on communications |
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2019 |
GA 74th session |
Impunity for human rights violations committed against human rights defenders |
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2019 |
HRC 40th session |
Women Human Rights Defenders Observations on communications
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2018 |
GA 73rd session |
Declaration on human rights defenders:20th Anniversary |
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2018 |
HRC 37th session |
Human rights defenders on the rights of people on the move Observations on communications
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2017 |
GA 72nd session |
Human Rights Defenders working on business and human rights |
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2017 |
HRC 34th session
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Work in progress, challenges and the way forward Observations on communications
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2016 |
GA 71st session |
Environmental human rights defenders |
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2016 |
HRC 31st session
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Good practices in the protection of human rights defenders Observations on communications
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2015 |
GA 70th session |
Global trends in risks and threats facing human rights defenders |
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2015 |
HRC 28th session |
Workplan and Future Activities of the Special Rapporteur Observations on communications
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2014 |
GA 69th session |
Vision and Working Methods of the Mandate |
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2014 |
HRC 25th session
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Elements of a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders Observations on communications
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2013 |
GA 68th session |
Large-scale development project and human rights defenders |
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2013 |
HRC 22nd session
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Role of national human rights institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights and as protectors of human rights defenders Observations on communications Protecting human rights defenders
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2012 |
GA 67th session |
Use of legislation to regulate activities of human rights defenders |
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2012 |
HRC 19th session
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Selected groups of defenders at risk: journalists and media workers, defenders working on land and environment issues; and youth and student defenders Observations on communications report
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2011 |
GA 66th session |
On the Declaration on human rights defenders |
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2011 |
HRC 16th session
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Women human rights defenders and those working on women's rights or gender issues Summaries of individual cases raised by the SR during 2010 and summaries of Government responses Responses to the questionnaire on the challenges faced by women human rights defenders and those working on women's rights or gender issues
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2010 |
GA 65th session |
Violations committed against defenders by non-State actors |
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2010 |
HRC 13th session
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Security and protection of human rights defenders Summaries of individual cases raised by the SR during 2009 and summaries of Government responses Responses to the questionnaire on the security and protection of human rights defenders
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2009 |
GA 64th session |
Meeting the standards of the right to freedom of association; analysis of NGO laws |
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2009 |
HRC 10th session
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Universal Periodic Review (UPR): enhancing the protection of human rights defenders Summaries of individual cases raised by the SR during 2008 and summaries of Government responses
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2008 |
GA 63rd session |
Vision and priorities of the Special Rapporteur |
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2008 |
HRC 7th session
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From action to impact: follow-up to the activities of the special representative Summaries of individual cases raised by the SRSG during 2007 and summaries of Government responses
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2007 |
GA 62nd session |
The right to protest in the context of freedom of assembly |
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2007 |
HRC 4th session
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The work of human rights defenders in the field of economic, social and cultural rights Summaries of individual cases raised by the SRSG with Governments during 2006 and summaries of Government responses
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2006 |
GA 61st session |
Analysis of methodology of work and the right of freedom of assembly |
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2006 |
CHR 62nd session
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1) Implementation of the mandate since its creation in 2000 2) Key developments and major constraints in the implementation of the declaration Summaries of individual cases raised by the SRSG during 2005 and summaries of government responses Compilation of developments for the situation of human rights defenders 2000 - 2006
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2005 |
GA 60th session |
The contribution of human rights defenders to peace and security |
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2005 |
CHR 61st session
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1) Trends in the situation of human rights defenders 2) Human rights defenders and peace and security Summaries of individual cases raised by the SRSG during 2004 and summaries of government responses
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2004 |
GA 59th session |
Applying the Declaration on human rights defenders. Meeting the standards of the right to association |
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2004 |
CHR 60th session
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1) Trends in the situation of human rights defenders 2) Follow-up of cases and trends in government responses Summaries of individual cases raised by the SRSG during 2003 and summaries of government responses
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2003 |
GA 58th session |
Analysis of impact of security legislation and of emergency situations on defenders |
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2003 |
CHR 59th session
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The role and situation of defenders in key contexts, including the UN Summaries of individual cases raised by the SRSG during 2002 and summaries of government responses
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2002 |
GA 57th session |
Results of regional consultations with States and defenders in Africa, Latin America, Asia, the middle East and the Euro-Mediterranean |
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2002 |
CHR 58th session |
Analysis of trends affecting human rights defenders. Summary of cases sent to Governments |
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2001 |
GA 56th session |
Impunity, legal actions, intelligence activities and smear campaigns against defenders. Impact of militarism on the Declaration; compatibility of national legislation |
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2001 |
CHR 57th session |
Analysis of trends affecting human rights defenders. Summary of cases sent to Governments |