Human rights is one of the issues that its scope is so vast that it is difficult to define its boundaries. The activities of human rights defenders, from fighting against female genital mutilation to criticizing domestic rulers and international warmongers, are so extensive that it is hard to imagine any space that is not somehow connected to human rights and its activists. Human rights recognizes no borders other than humanity; meaning the protection of all humans everywhere, from the poorest to the most advanced countries, from the most unstable to the safest countries, from the most dictatorial to the most democratic countries, in all situations of war and peace, human rights must be respected and in all societies, big and small, it is necessary for human rights activists to strive for the promotion and protection of human rights in order to achieve a better and more humane state.

But who are activists or defenders of human rights, what legal status do they have, and what standards must they adhere to in order to enjoy those rights? In this short note, we will try to clarify these issues.

Who can be human rights defenders?

There is no specific definition of who a human rights defender is. In a general sense, the term refers to someone who works individually or collectively to promote and protect human rights. This term is commonly used in the media, while the preferred and more legal equivalent is “human rights defender.” What the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders refers to is a broad concept that includes a diverse population, from international organizations to individuals working at a local level. A human rights defender can be of any gender, age, race, or religion, from any corner of the world. They are not limited to working for NGOs or intergovernmental organizations, but may also be government employees, civil society activists, or members of the private sector. Generally, human rights defenders can be divided into two categories:

1 – Human rights defender is a professional.

Professional defenders are individuals who regularly and either full-time or part-time engage in human rights activities and often have employment in this field. They may be paid or volunteer, such as national and international observers, NGO managers, UN reporters, Ombudsmen, human rights lawyers, and so on.

It should be noted that what makes someone a human rights defender is not their job title or the organization they work for, but rather the important work they do. They do not necessarily have to be recognized as an activist or human rights defender, or carry the name of human rights with them in the organization or institution they work for. Many United Nations employees are considered human rights activists, even though their work does not have the title of human rights. For example, those who work for UNESCO or the World Food Program, as well as others who work under a different name but their work is essentially human rights, should be referred to as human rights activists.

Many human rights defenders are not directly or full-time involved in human rights work, but their work sometimes intersects with human rights due to their profession. For example, a lawyer who deals with commercial law cannot automatically be considered a human rights activist unless they take on human rights cases and defend victims of human rights violations in court. Similarly, journalists are not necessarily human rights activists, but many are recognized as such for reporting on human rights abuses. Teachers who teach human rights are also considered human rights activists because they promote human rights.

There are also other groups of human rights activists who, on the surface, have no connection to human rights in their profession, but in reality, they indirectly help promote human rights; such as artists and writers who defend women and children’s rights or advocate for freedom in their works. Artists and writers have the most influence on public opinion, which in turn can aid in promoting human rights.

2 – Non-professional human rights defender.

Many human groups who help promote human rights outside of their profession or occupation fall into this category. For example, a student who joins a campaign against execution and encourages others to join, a politician who stands against widespread corruption and thus supports and promotes good governance, volunteer doctors, environmental protection advocates, or others who gather in the streets to protest against government actions and policies that are incompatible with human rights, are considered non-professional human rights defenders. Some of these defenders may be internationally recognized, but most remain anonymous; however, their work is highly valued.

“Defenders’ rights are human rights.”

Human rights defenders, while engaged in defending the rights of their fellow human beings, are themselves at risk of severe human rights violations by governments and, in some cases, by terrorists; such as the case of Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani schoolgirl who became a victim of Taliban terrorist attacks for her human rights activities, including advocating for girls’ right to education in tribal areas. Therefore, human rights defenders, who selflessly work to promote human rights, require special support, recognition, and respect for their human rights and fundamental freedoms by governments, civil society organizations, and international organizations.

In 1998, the United Nations General Assembly approved a declaration on the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, titled “Declaration on the Rights and Responsibilities of Individuals, Groups and Social Institutions in the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.” This declaration, also known as the “Declaration on Human Rights Defenders,” is a significant achievement of the collective efforts of human rights organizations and some government representatives. It is considered an important and practical document in the collection of United Nations human rights documents. Perhaps its most important significance is that it not only addresses governments and human rights defenders, but also all human beings. This declaration tells us that we all have a role to play in defending human rights and emphasizes that human rights are a global movement that involves all of us in some way; however, it specifically recognizes certain rights that are reserved for human rights professionals. Although the declaration is not a legally binding document, it contains rights that are rooted in other legally binding documents such

The most important rights that this declaration considers for defenders are:

The right to promote and protect human rights at the national and international level.

The right to form associations and non-governmental organizations to defend various human rights issues.

The right to form peaceful assemblies and gatherings.

The right to acquire and disseminate information about human rights issues or their violation.

The right to criticize the laws, executive and judicial procedures of the government and to present constructive suggestions for amending those laws and policies to improve the human rights situation.

The right to receive government support in ensuring security during human rights activities and guaranteeing freedom afterwards.

Minimum required standards for human rights defenders.

All human beings have the dignity to become defenders of human rights, but alongside the rights that are granted to them, they also have responsibilities. Therefore, every activist or human rights defender must have at least the following three standards:

من یک دانشجو هستم

I am a student.

Accepting all human rights.

A human rights defender must accept the universality of human rights and internalize them in an indivisible manner, in accordance with the principles set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which includes all thirty articles of the declaration. It is not possible to defend some rights while denying others. For example, one cannot defend freedom of speech while opposing gender equality.

ما اینجا هستیم

We are here.

Defending the rights of all humans.

“All human beings have the right to be defended, regardless of race, nationality, gender, religion, ethnicity, language, or any other political belief or origin. It is important to support all victims of human rights violations. It is possible for a human rights defender to support the rights of a group that they do not belong to. For example, men who defend women’s rights, members of the majority defending the rights of minorities, or able-bodied individuals defending the rights of the disabled. A human rights activist sees themselves as belonging to all human beings and does not draw a line between defending those who are like them and those who are not. In fact, the concepts of self and other have no meaning in human rights activities, and it is possible for the activist to disagree with the beliefs of those they are supporting. The famous quote by Voltaire can be a guiding light for every human rights activist: “I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to

سلام

3. Hello

Adherence to the principle of non-violence:

Human rights are not compatible with violence, and human rights defenders should always keep in mind that it is only through peaceful means that human rights, as the ultimate ideal of human peace, can be demanded and nothing else.