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
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.
For many years, ENNHRI has strongly advocated for the protection of human rights defenders (HRDs) at the regional level. First in its 2023 and then its 2025 rule of law report, ENNHRI recommended the European Commission to strengthen the empowerment, promotion and protection of civil society organisations (CSOs) and HRDs; to continue to ensure structural funding for CSOs and HRDs; and to ensure swift support for CSOs and HRDs when facing threats – including through the set-up of a dedicated EU HRD protection mechanism (in consultation and cooperation with NHRIs).
Ahead of the 2025 EU Civil Society Strategy, ENNHRI built on its work on HRDs, compiling practices and information from NHRIs and ENNHRI. It provided the European Commission with input on key areas requiring targeted action. These include:
- Strengthening protection for civil society and HRDs in the EU;
- Empowering their participation and dialogue in the EU; and
- Ensuring adequate and accessible funding for civil society and HRDs in the EU.
The Strategy underscores the role of NHRIs and ENNHRI in monitoring trends on civic space at national and regional level, and acknowledges the relevance of NHRIs within national protection frameworks.
French National Consultative Commission on Human Rights
The French National Consultative Commission on Human Rights has addressed issues related to human rights defenders and civil society in many of its opinions and declarations. In its September 2021 statement on the situation facing Afghan people, the NHRI stressed that human rights defenders, as well as all Afghan people, at risk of persecution by the Taliban and who wish to seek asylum in France must be able to benefit from protection.
In the absence of a legal definition of human rights defenders (HRDs), the Public Defender (Ombudsman) of Georgia (PDO) developed an internal guide to address issues relating to them. The document provides an overview of the role of the NHRI in defending HRDs and refers to international standards and commitments.
It also outlines the activities carried out by the PDO, including proactive monitoring of media, as well as active engagement with local NGOs and activists. These activities are crucial to enable the PDO to properly identify human rights violations against HRDs. Other activities include developing relevant recommendations and proposals, performing the role of amicus curiae, collecting data, and undertaking other public initiatives in support of HRDs.
The Public Defender (Ombudsman) of Georgia (PDO) supports the protection of human rights defenders (HRDs) through amicus curiae briefs submitted to national courts, including in follow-up to complaints filed by HRDs and civil society organisations (CSOs).
For example, in July 2025, the Public Defender submitted an amicus curiae brief to the Tbilisi Court of Appeals following the complaint of a CSO. The organisation contested a City Court ruling that upheld the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s request to compel disclosure of sensitive information. At least six similar motions against CSOs had been granted by June 2025. The PDO raised concerns about state interference in freedom of association, the protection of HRDs’ activities, and the rights of vulnerable groups, such as minors, persons with disabilities, and victims of violence, highlighting privacy and child rights considerations. The submission also warned of a growing trend of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and outlined tools for courts to recognise and address them effectively.
Further, in August 2025, the PDO submitted another amicus curiae brief on a City Court ruling concerning HRDs charged with violating the law due to road blockages during a public demonstration. From November 2024 to June 2025, the Tbilisi City Court reviewed over a thousand of administrative cases under Article 174 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, covering violations in organising or holding assemblies. The PDO stressed that courts must carefully balance the scope of the right to freedom of assembly, the lawful limits on restrictions, and the responsibilities of law enforcement in policing assemblies.
Both submissions aim to guide the judiciary in applying consistent human rights standards in cases with similar circumstances.
Public Defender (Ombudsman) of Georgia
A human rights activist from an area outside of state control faced physical danger and criminal charges while being imprisoned due to her human rights work. The Public Defender (Ombudsman) of Georgia challenged her detention and harassment as illegal, calling for a fair investigation and issuing several public statements calling on authorities to ensure her safety. The NHRI also raised international and regional attention of the case and nominated the defender for the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize and the UN Human Rights Prize.
German Institute for Human Rights
In 2020, the German Foreign Office launched the Elisabeth-Selbert-Initiative. This is a protection programme open to human rights defenders, including NHRI members and staff abroad, who face threats due to their work. The initiative consists of three main elements, including on-site assistance, grants for temporary relocation within home countries or regions, and grants for temporary relocation to Germany. The programme was put to use in 2021, the German Institute for Human Rights nominated a member for the selection committee. After the takeover by the Taliban, the German Institute for Human Rights, together with the Asia Pacific Forum of NHRIs, successfully advocated for staff from the Afghan NHRI to be included on the list of people evacuated by German authorities. As a result, some staff members and their families have relocated to Germany and received a residence permit. The Institute has been advocating to continue these evacuation efforts and to extend them to other human rights defenders. The NHRI published a study on Germany’s human rights obligations in this regard.
In 2022, the Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR) established a Recording Mechanism of Informal Forced Returns, which brings together 11 NGOs active in the fields of migration and asylum. The Recording Mechanism provides a “protective shield” for its member organisations. They are operating in a generally hostile environment in Greece, where civil society actors engaged with refugee and migration issues often face pressure from both state and non-state actors.
The Recording Mechanism was created by a decision of the GNCHR plenary in September 2021 as the Greek NHRI’s institutional response to two major challenges: (a) the absence of an official and effective data collection mechanism for informal forced returns, and (b) the need for coordination among organisations that had been recording such incidents on their own initiative, based on testimonies from alleged victims.
The GNCHR drew from past best practice, such as the Racist Violence Recording Network (RVRN), which has been operating since 2011, and is jointly coordinated by GNCHR and the UNHCR Office in Greece. The Recording Mechanism provides the tools and the methodology to enhance NGOs’ capacity and knowledge to record testimonies of informal forced returns. The UNHCR Office in Greece, as a co-operating agency, provides technical support and advice to its operation. Amnesty International participates as an observer in the initiative. As a result, member NGOs of the Recording Mechanism can continue their field activities, including the recording of testimonies, under the umbrella of the Greek NHRI and without any interference by state authorities.
Since its establishment, the Recording Mechanism has published three Annual Reports (2022, 2023 and 2024), which have been formally submitted to the Greek authorities as well as to international and regional human rights bodies. In addition, the findings of the Recording Mechanism have informed the GNCHR’s third-party intervention before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in the cases A.R.E v Greece and G.R.J. v Greece, further strengthening its contribution to accountability and the enforcement of the principle of non-refoulement.
Greek National Commission for Human Rights
The Greek National Commission for Human Rights (GNCHR) closely monitors the execution of European Court of Human Rights judgments, including those related to human rights defenders. In August 2018, the GNCHR submitted to the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers its Recommendations under Rule 9(2) with regard to the immediate full compliance of the Greek government with the landmark Court judgment Chowdury and Others v. Greece (known as the “Manolada case”). Two years later, in June 2020, it made an additional Communication on the assessment of the level of compliance of the Greek State with the GNCHR’s recommendations on the Chowdury judgment.
In another emblematic case for the protection of human rights, the Racist Violence Recording Network (RVRN) – an initiative of the Commission and UNHCR in Greece – activated the same procedure under Rule 9(2), in December 2020, by submitting a communication for the supervision of the execution of judgments and the terms of friendly settlements, relating to the case of Sakir v. Greece.
Monitoring by the Parliamentary Ombudspersons’ Office of the Republic of Lithuania found evidence of transnational repression of human rights defenders. On 12 March 2024 a prominent Russian political activist and outspoken critic of the current regime in Russia, Leonid Volkov, was attacked near his home in Vilnius by an unknown person with a hammer and briefly hospitalised. Lithuanian and Polish authorities subsequently made statements alleging that the attack was “organised by Russia”. In April 2024, the Lithuanian Prosecutor General’s Office confirmed that several Polish citizens had been detained in connection to the attack by the Polish authorities and added that the attack was fuelled by Mr Volkov’s “beliefs and his views”. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, the State Security Department, Lithuanian politicians and experts blamed it on the Kremlin regime and the Russian special services.
According to the NHRI, the most important gap in the protection of human rights defenders (HRDs) nationally is that there are no specific initiatives, frameworks, or policies aiming to protect HRDs. In the case of HRDs, only general provisions apply. This includes anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) provisions (which are also not targeting HRDs specifically), introduced by the amendment of the Lithuanian Code of Civil Procedure on 22 December 2022 in article 95. The amendments came into force on 31 December 2022.
Consultative Human Rights Commission of Luxembourg
The Consultative Human Rights Commission of Luxembourg took part in an event organised by the government to gather input for the development of a project for human rights defenders. Named Shelter Cities, it aims to set up a procedure for the reception of individual human rights defenders in Luxembourg for a predetermined rest period. This would be done via the protectdefenders.eu website. Since the abovementioned initial meeting, there has not been any noticeable progress. However, the government reiterated its commitment to the project “shelter cities” in its candidacy pledge for the UN Human Rights Council 2022-2024.
A similar project, ShelterCity, is being implemented in the Netherlands and operates in cooperation with Justice and Peace Netherlands, Dutch cities, and local organisations.
Since 2021, the People’s Advocate Office of the Republic of Moldova (PAO) has actively engaged in drafting a Concept for a Law on Human Rights Defenders and consulting on it with civil society, professionals and other stakeholders. In 2022, the draft was publicly debated with the participation of civil society representatives, including organisations such as OSCE Moldova, the Union of Lawyers and other key actors. The People’s Advocate welcomed the dialogue, and the feedback received was incorporated into the draft.
In 2024, at the initiative of the PAO, the new National Human Rights Action Plan for 2024-2027 included a specific action aimed at strengthening national standards on the protection of human rights defenders. This action explicitly states: “the normative framework ensures the safety of human rights defenders and journalists, including in the Transnistrian region”. Consult the adopted Plan here.
Following this progress, in 2024, the PAO organised another round of public consultations on the Concept, engaging public authorities, international partners, and civil society. The Concept was finalised and submitted to the Ministry of Justice for review on 11 February 2025. Subsequently, on 17 April 2025, the Ministry published an announcement on its website regarding the initiation of the process of drafting the Law on Human Rights Defenders. It invited all interested stakeholders to submit proposals and contributions.
The activities of human rights defenders and civil society in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova have been restricted by rules and laws that limit their right to information and ability to express opposition to Transnistrian authorities. Human rights defenders’ freedom of expression was violated in 2020 when defenders were arrested and intimidated. In response, the People’s Advocate of Moldova issued recommendations to Moldovan authorities, mediators and observers. These aimed to make sure these parties applied international law and guaranteed the protection of human rights when designing measures to address the situation.
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.
Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
In 2020 and 2021, journalists investigating organised crime and paramilitarism in Northern Ireland received death threats. For example, journalist Patricia Devlin received online threats, including towards her young son and graffiti featuring the crosshair of a gun next to her name. In September 2021, her complaint that the Police Service had failed to investigate the complaints or provide protection was upheld. In April 2021, a Belfast Telegraph photographer was attacked whilst covering unrest in Belfast.
The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) recommended that limitations of journalists’ freedom of expression must be human rights compliant. Information allegedly linking state agents to non-human rights compliant conduct should not be withheld and HRDs should not face intimidation or reprisals for disclosing such information. The NIHRC insisted that the right to a fair trial and effective remedy for journalists are fulfilled. Additionally, it recommends that journalists have effective protection to report on issues of public importance.
Protector of Citizens of the Republic of Serbia
The Protector of Citizens of the Republic of Serbia has completed the technical development of a unique platform for registering and tracking harassment and attacks experienced by journalists and others working in the media. Once operational and running, the platform will, help ensure faster and more efficient responses from the competent authorities in the reported cases of violations of media freedom and freedom of expression. It will also provide a broader and more comprehensive overview of the challenges faced by journalists and contribute to enhanced public confidence in state institutions. In 2021, the platform was presented to the Government Working Group for the Safety and Protection of Journalists established in 2020.
Protector of Citizens of the Republic of Serbia
The Protector of Citizens of the Republic of Serbia has formulated a draft law amending the Law on Public Order and Peace presented in September 2021 at the meeting of the Working Group of the Government of the Republic of Serbia for Security and Protection of Journalists. These amendments refer to both journalists and ordinary citizens and would include misdemeanor sanctions for violence, threats and insults on the internet and social networks. At the meeting, it was agreed that these suggestions should be subject to public discussion in the coming period.
The Protector of Citizens also spoke about it in the National Assembly in December last year when the Regular Annual Report of the Protector of Citizens for 2020 was considered. On that occasion, the Protector of Citizens indicated the need to regulate this area in the coming year to halt and sanction every type of violence, threats and insults committed via social networks.
In 2024, the Swedish Institute for Human Rights undertook several preparatory actions as regards a forthcoming survey and investigation into human rights defenders (HRDs) in Sweden planned for 2025. These included a desk study and other means of orientation in terms of international policies and activities for HRDs.
The preparatory study’s preliminary findings were presented at the 2025 NHRI Academy 2025. They indicate an overall context that is conducive to the enjoyment of human rights, including functioning networks for human rights specialists or contact points within state authorities, municipalities, NGOs and businesses. However, this is being increasingly challenged by securitisation, the high pace of new legislation, anti-woke sentiments, smears against HRDs, and harsh treatment of civil disobedience, among other things.
The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights is responsible for the implementation of Point 4 of the Ukrainian Peace Formula (“release of all prisoners and deportees”). It therefore keeps under personal control and takes all possible measures to establish the fate of Ukrainian citizens, including human rights defenders, held in places of detention in the territory of Ukraine temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation and the territory of Russia.
The Commissioner has established a Working Group on the Protection of the Civilians’ Rights and Freedoms.
The Working Group is chaired by the Representative of the Commissioner in the System of Bodies in the Security and Defence Sector, who is a member of the Ukrainian delegation to negotiate with Ukraine’s international partners and representatives of the Russian Federation to achieve a just and sustainable peace. Its composition also includes representatives of civil society. The main tasks of the Working Group include:
- Mobilisation of resources to confirm the fact of captivity and release of civilians;
- Legal support for unlawfully detained persons;
- Pressure on the Russian Federation to ensure access to assistance, monitoring of prison conditions, attracting international support, initiating sanctions and criminal prosecution of the occupation authorities;
- Support to the released and returned persons and their families, aimed at their successful reintegration into society.
The Working Group developed an Action Plan for the Release of Civilians Detained as the Result of the Armed Aggression of the Russian Federation for 2025-2026. This aims to ensure a holistic strategic approach to the release and return of civilians deprived of their personal liberty because of the armed aggression against Ukraine.
Therefore, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights prioritises and is constantly working to protect the rights of civilians deprived of their personal liberty as a result of the armed aggression against Ukraine, support their families, and find ways to return every Ukrainian citizen home.