The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, together with representatives from each international human rights treaty body, issued a joint statement at the outset of the 30th annual meeting of Treaty Body chairs this summer, affirming that abuse and undue limitation of human rights defenders violates State party obligations delineated in the treaties. JBI’s Director, Felice Gaer, who is vice chair of the UN Committee against Torture, was one of the signatories.
The joint statement emphasizes the importance of human rights defenders in the application of the rights included within the treaties and the UN Declaration on human rights defenders, marking its 20th anniversary. In addition, the statement affirms that all individuals should be able to engage with the UN treaty body system without risk of discrimination, reprisals, or retaliation. It includes a list of recommended measures States may adopt to ensure the protection of human rights defenders.
The full text of the joint statement can be found here.
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