Human Rights Defenders

The UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders marked its tenth anniversary on 9 December 2008. On that day in 1998, United Nations member states acknowledged the right to defend human rights, and by extension, their responsibility in protecting human rights defenders (HRDs) and enabling their work.

Working with and on behalf of HRDs has been at the heart of Amnesty International's work since the organization began. In 2008, there was continued focus on individual cases of HRDs along with regional analyses of the challenges faced by those who defend human rights.

To mark the anniversary of the UN Declaration on HRDs, Amnesty International carried out a cross-regional campaign to focus attention on HRDs engaged in the defence of the whole spectrum of human rights - from women HRDS in Nicaragua defending women's rights to life and health; to human rights lawyers in Vietnam and trade unionists in Turkey  - and the continuing threats and challenges they face in carrying out their legitimate and essential work.

The activities these individuals carry out, together with so many other HRDs across the globe, are aimed at closing the gap between the promise of justice and equality set out in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) and the reality of human rights abuses that continue today.

Amnesty International's work with and on behalf of HRDs during 2008 was grounded in our acknowledgement of the vital work HRDs do for the realization of human rights for all, and the ongoing challenge to all of us to defend those who defend human rights.