“Letter to Human Rights Council, 43^rd Session: Support consensus renewal of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defender”, 25 February 2020

Human rights defenders are people who act with humanity, serve humanity and who contribute to and bring out the best in humanity. They…work so our governments are more transparent and accountable, our environment cleaner and safer, our schools and workplaces fairer, and our futures more sustainable,...frequently facing a wide range of risks and threats…

Our organisations…urge your delegation to support the resolution on the renewal of the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders. The mandate...is integral to [human rights defenders'] protection and recognition. It gathers and responds to information on the situation of defenders...[and] engages constructively with governments and non-State actors…

[The mandate]…provides expert recommendations to…[implement] the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders,...[t]he General Assembly [having previously] pass[ed] by consensus a resolution focusing [on its] implementation...[and] some key elements of protection policy. [E]xtending the mandate...for three years…is a key opportunity for States and the Council to demonstrate their support and recognition for the indispensable role defenders play...