Civic space and human rights defenders

Participants hold black sweaters with the word courage attached during a demonstration on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, in Lisbon, Portugal, 25 November 2018. © EPA-EFE/Antonio Cotrim

About

Civic space is the environment that enables civil society to play a role in political, economic and social life. In particular, civic space allows individuals and groups to contribute to policy-making that affects their lives, including how it is implemented.

This civic space is increasingly under pressure from repressive laws and increased restrictions on freedoms to express, participate, assemble and associate. Civil society actors, including human rights defenders and individuals who cooperate with the United Nations, are also facing a pushback, online and offline, across the world. Civic space is essential for rights holders to engage on all types of rights.

Our work

UN Human Rights works to improve civic space at country level and strengthen good protection practices. We monitor civic space trends and situations of human rights defenders, and seek to raise visibility, create new methods to provide greater space and legitimacy for activism, and increase support for their work.

In addition, we work to mainstream civic space in wider UN policies, practices and operational activities. We support the Assistant Secretary-General in strengthening UN-wide action related to reprisals against those who cooperate with the UN.

Learn more about our work on civic space

Learn more about our work on reprisals for cooperation with the UN

Current focus

UN HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE

The UN’s role in protecting and preserving civic space

The need for the United Nations to strengthen efforts to protect and expand civic space has acquired new urgency in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization has strengthened its commitment to making civic space a key pillar of the Secretary-General’s Call to Action for Human Rights.

UNITED NATIONS

The Declaration on Human Rights Defenders in more than 50 languages

This Declaration, officially titled the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1999. It has since been translated into over 50 languages.

UNITED NATIONS

UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity

The UN Plan of Action aims to create a free and safe environment for journalists and media workers, both in conflict and non-conflict situations, with a view to strengthening peace, democracy and development worldwide.

Who else is involved

Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders

The Special Rapporteur promotes the implementation of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders in cooperation and dialogue with governments and other actors. The mandate also recommends effective strategies to better protect human rights defenders and integrate a gender perspective, paying particular attention to women human rights defenders.

Learn more