Essential strategies for safeguarding human rights defenders in times of crisis
In partnership with national human rights defender coalitions across Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, and Niger, the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) has compiled a comprehensive guide outlining best practices to protect human rights defenders and sustain their critical work during crises.
The introduction of restrictive measures and directives to curb the spread of COVID-19 has fundamentally altered how human rights defenders operate. Beyond their usual challenges, pandemic management by several African governments has further narrowed already limited civic and democratic spaces in the region. In such precarious environments, maintaining defenders’ access to their vital work and advocacy is paramount during crises.
How COVID-19 restrictions reshaped human rights advocacy
This study examines the impact of COVID-19 restrictive measures on the rights and freedoms of human rights defenders in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, and Sierra Leone. It documents the innovative strategies civil society organizations adopted to continue their operations despite coercive measures, as well as positive actions by states and other stakeholders that enabled this continuity. The publication also offers actionable recommendations to strengthen the protection of human rights defenders and preserve civic space during crises.
Key findings and advocacy recommendations
The research serves as a powerful advocacy tool for national, regional, and international human rights mechanisms, aiming to prevent the abusive use of coercive measures during crises and ensure continuous protection for defenders. By highlighting successful interventions and systemic gaps, it provides a roadmap for policymakers and civil society to collaborate effectively in safeguarding human rights defenders’ crucial work.
- Monitoring rights restrictions: Documenting and analyzing how emergency measures disproportionately affect defenders’ ability to operate.
- Strengthening solidarity networks: Building robust support systems among civil society organizations to share resources and strategies.
- Engaging with state actors: Encouraging governments to adopt balanced approaches that protect public health while respecting fundamental freedoms.
- International advocacy: Leveraging regional and global human rights bodies to hold states accountable for rights violations during crises.
