By NHRI mandate
By topic
Enabling environment for HRDs & CSOs
Environmental HRDs
Freedom of assembly and association
Freedom of expression
Freedom of the media
Funding of CSOs
Non-government controlled territories
Prohibition of discrimination
Protection of HRDs
Right to a fair trial
Right to an effective remedy
Right to privacy
Right to respect for private and family life
Sustainable Development Goals
Whistleblowers
Women HRDs
By country
The 2024 report of the Ombudswoman of the Republic of Croatia contained a dedicated chapter on the situation of HRDs in the country. It highlighted persistent challenges, including inadequate responses to the Ombudswoman’s recommendations, delays in information sharing by state bodies, and the need for systemic, long-term support for civil society organisations.
The Ombudswoman also reported an increase in attacks on environmental activists, who were subject to systemic repression. This is reflected in the denial of financial resources and limited participation in the development of policies and plans, as well as in decision-making on specific projects. Targeted repression also takes the form of SLAPP lawsuits; the use of inspection supervision as a means of pressure and repression; and threats, stigmatisation and symbolic violence. Restricting access to natural areas for the purpose of documenting the state of the environment has also been reported.
Across the EU, civil society organisations (CSOs) and NHRIs have consistently highlighted significant gaps in their protection in the Union. For this reason, through its support to NHRIs, ENNHRI is stepping up its work on protecting human rights defenders (HRDs). ENNHRI supports NHRIs in their work on this through peer learning and dedicated capacity building, while also supporting their monitoring efforts and reporting at regional level.
For example, ENNHRI has provided spaces for peer exchange and learning on HRD protection. This includes through the organisation of a workshop on the protection of environmental defenders in 2023, and a series of meetings in 2024 focused on supporting NHRIs’ role in the protection of HRDs. These identified the key opportunities for NHRIs to strengthen their work in this area, as well as the ways in which ENNHRI can support them in doing so.
In addition, ENNHRI’s NHRI Academy 2025 provided dedicated capacity building for NHRIs on their role in the protection of HRDs.
NHRIs can collectively engage before the European Court of Human Rights (the Court) through ENNHRI’s coordinated third party interventions. Through its Legal Working Group, ENNHRI provides support for strategic litigation and prepares third-party interventions on key human rights concerns. In the landmark climate case Greenpeace Nordic and Others Youth vs Norway, ENNHRI submitted written observations to the Court in 2021 and again in 2022 after the case was transferred to the Court’s Grand Chamber. The eventual judgment reflected key elements of ENNHRI’s submissions, including the applicability of Article 8 on the right to respect for private and family life and Article 6 (1) on access to court, particularly where procedural barriers risk preventing judicial scrutiny of measures needed to protect life and physical integrity in the face of the climate crisis.
In its 2023 annual report to the German Parliament, the German Institute for Human Rights (GIHR) included a dedicated chapter on climate activism and is consistently monitoring the increasing repression of peaceful climate protests. It issued several public statements, including in reaction to preventive detention measures taken in Bavaria. GIHR regularly takes part in network meetings of civil society organisations working on the protection of climate activists and environmental defenders.
The 2025 edition of the Annual Report on Human Rights in the Netherlands by the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights delves into the state of civic space in the country. The research was carried out on the basis of the monitoring methodology developed by one of the NHRIs in Belgium – the Federal Institute for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights.
The report, published in September 2025, represents the institution’s first publication with a specific focus on shrinking civic space. It features recommendations to the government, including recognising the legitimacy of civil society in vibrant democracies; fostering opportunities for participation in law- and policy-making processes; allowing for an enabling environment and monitoring changes in civic space openness.
The preliminary findings, presented during the 2025 NHRI Academy, revealed that a consistent majority of Dutch civil society organisations are experiencing a deterioration of civic space, with half of them reporting it for their own organisation.
Additional analysis highlighted further worrying trends. These included increased restrictions on freedom of assembly and the stigmatisation of human rights defenders – particularly those working on migration and climate issues – and diminished consultation in legislative processes.
The report also raises concerns over new surveillance practices, government-led efforts to limit demonstrations, and proposed laws that risk undermining civil society’s participation and independence.
The Swedish Institute for Human Rights submitted an Amicus curiae to the Supreme Court in favour of the environmental NGO Aurora’s right to hold the state accountable for shortcomings in the implementation of Sweden’s international environmental and human rights commitments.
In the submission the institute argued that the actions brought in the Aurora case were suitable for judicial review. Specifically, it provided an overview of the right of access to justice for individuals and associations in climate cases under the European Convention on Human Rights and the recent case-law of the European Court of Human Rights. This was complemented by a review of other international law on standing to bring proceedings. Finally, it provided a comparative overview of court cases where climate litigation has been allowed in several other countries.
The Institute has also supported individual environmental defenders who have contacted the helpline of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders. It has provided them with information on the communications procedure attached to the Special Rapporteur’s mandate.