A guide to protecting Human Rights Defenders

Active citizens, activists and Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) play a vital role in defending human rights and challenging oppressive states and structures in the closed and restricted civic space that many countries now face.

According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, 'Human Rights Defender' is a term used to describe people who, individually or with others, act to promote or protect human rights in a peaceful manner.

Due to this work, these groups face significant risks and challenges, including targeted threats to their safety and security from actors who want to undermine and block their legitimate work. By virtue of their work, many of Christian Aid’s partners are HRDs and activists. This guidance is designed to provide practical advice for country teams operating in closing or closed civic spaces.

Often mitigating risk is associated with costs and expenses. However, not everyone in the communities we are working in has the money to pay for costly risk mitigation measures. This guide therefore aims to provide low-cost risk mitigation strategies, which can be tailored to the contexts in which Christian Aid country teams work.