abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Report

8 Oct 2024

Author:
Kersty McCourt in collaboration with an informal CSO coalition

New civil society briefings map protections for HRDs & CSOs in Europe and propose ways to build a stronger ecosystem for protection

Designed by www.freepik.com

A Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Civil Society Organisations in Europe

Civil Society Europe and the European Civic Forum, leading an informal coalition of Civil Society Organisations including Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, present the Mapping paper and the Pathways paper for a Protection Mechanism for Human Rights Defenders and Civil Society Organisations in Europe.

The papers aim to map the existing protection landscape and, based on the gaps and challenges, propose ways to build a stronger ecosystem for the protection of human rights defenders (HRDs) and civil society organisations (CSOs).

Why these papers?

The new Commissioner-designate for Democracy, Justice, and the Rule of Law has been requested to “work to strengthen protection of civil society, activists and human rights defenders in their work”. This is an important component of the Commissioner’s mission for the next four years and builds on signals over the past 18 months of the increasing need to sure up the protection of HRDs.

It is those individuals and communities who stand up and protect all our rights who find themselves increasingly under attack. Smear campaigns are launched, designed to confuse and sever trust, organisations have had their offices attacked and the number of lawsuits against HRDs is rapidly increasing.

While the European Union has guidelines to support human rights defenders from outside the EU and nearly a decade ago set up Protect Defenders to rapidly support HRDs at risk, nothing similar exists within the EU. Defenders find themselves illusively searching for support at a moment when they are also under severe stress.

What do the papers cover?

Mapping paper

This mapping document aims to provide a concise overview of the existing protection landscape in Europe in order to inform a short paper and potential policy options to be considered by the new European Commission and Parliament and the Council of Europe. It looks at what exists and what the gaps are, who is protected, what are the main risks and what HRDs and CSOs would like to see.

Pathway to Protection paper

Supported by the Mapping paper, the Pathways to Protection paper is based on the gaps and needs in the system for HRDs’ protection in Europe and identifies critical elements and areas for reflection of different approaches. The paper is organised around options for a protection hub for Europe and focuses on structures to bring together various actors to create a protection system for HRDs and CSOs in Europe.

Both papers highlight existing expertise but point to the need for greater coherence to ensure a framework that provides:

  • Alerts and investigations so that HRDs can officially report attacks, triggering investigation and action; and
  • Rapid response ensuring holistic protection both as a preventive measure and immediately following an attack. Support might include physical, psychosocial, legal or digital protection

What is next?

Over the next months, a concerted effort is needed to elaborate the components of an effective protection ecosystem for Europe. Realising this aim will ensure that HRDs are in a better position knowing that they can seek appropriate support when the risks of protecting rights are intensified.