UN rights experts have called on its member states to ramp up measures to safeguard and support human rights defenders, reports UNB.
They made the call at a time when they are coming under increasing pressure globally, saying civil society's role in the international human rights system is vital.
The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders met experts in New York recently. who monitor the 100 million international human rights treaties.
He hosted the meeting on human rights defenders to mark the 20th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
After the meeting, the UN Special Rapporteur, in a statement, said the experts acknowledged civil society's crucial contribution to promoting human rights and sustainable development and maintaining peace and security.
The organisations which endorsed the statement include the Committee on Enforced Disappearances and the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders.
The following Treaty Body members in their individual capacity are Virginia Bras-Gomes, CESCR Chair; Dalia Leinarte, CEDAW Chair, Noureddine Amir, CERD Chair, Ahmadou Tall, CMW Chair; Danlami Basharu, CRPD Vice-Chair, Felice Gaer, CAT Vice-Chair, Marcia Kran, Olga Khazova, CRC Vice-Chair and Satyabhooshun Gut Domah, SPT member.
They called on human rights defenders and civil society to work more closely with the UN Treaty Bodies, according to the statement UNB received from Geneva.
"The Treaty Bodies consider any interference, intimidation, abuse, threat, violence, reprisal or undue restrictions against human rights defenders as constituting violations of States parties' obligations towards the realisation of rights set out in the Treaties," the statement says.
The statement reiterates the vital and central role played by human rights defenders to promote and support the application of the fundamental rights enshrined in the core international human rights treaties.
It urged States to strengthen institutions responsible for safeguarding and supporting the work of human rights defenders, and to amend or repeal any legislation that criminalises or obstructs the work of human rights defenders.
"This document constitutes a major step forward in the protection of human rights defenders and underscores the vital role they have in monitoring and reporting to the Treaty Bodies system to ensure States' compliance to international law," said the Chairperson of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Virginia Brás-Gomes speaking in her individual capacity.
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