Poster from the Protest in New York on Black Lives Matter. © Photo: XYZ / Shutterstock
Everyone has the right to unhindered access to, and communication with, international bodies on matters of human rights and fundamental freedoms — free from intimidation and reprisals.
The right to safe and unhindered access to international and regional justice mechanisms, and to be free from any forms of intimidation or reprisals for seeking justice, is both a fundamental human right and essential to the relevance and effectiveness of these mechanisms.
The participation of human rights defenders in the work of international and regional mechanisms makes for better outcomes. Defenders bring crucial information and perspectives regarding human rights situations on the ground and international and regional mechanisms depend on that knowledge and input to make informed decisions.
Yet the right to unhindered access to and cooperation with human rights mechanisms is undermined systematically by many States through reprisals, intimidation and other obstacles aimed at creating fear or blocking access.
ISHR seeks to ensure that international and regional human rights systems have the mechanisms to prevent reprisals and ensure accountability where they occur. ISHR provides protective publicity to human rights defenders at risk and works to bring cases of alleged intimidation and reprisals to the attention of relevant officials in an effort to press for effective preventative measures and responses.
Each year the Secretary-General prepares a report that documents acts of intimidation and reprisals aimed at creating fear or blocking access to the United Nations of people who defend human rights .
In order to assist stakeholders with research, analysis and action on cases of reprisals and intimidation, ISHR has launched an online database compiling cases or situations of intimidation and reprisals documented by the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General since 2010.
Impressive new database launched by @ISHRglobal compiling data from over 10 years of @UN Secretary General reports on #reprisals against Human Rights Defenders and others.
A necessary tool in the fight to #EndReprisals 👉https://t.co/sP5ZAIImNg pic.twitter.com/4EzZDvPV7x
— Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs (@MaryLawlorhrds) July 14, 2022
With ISHR’s #EndReprisals Database, users can more easily navigate the information contained in those reports, and research, analyse, and take action on the cases or situations so that together we can #EndReprisals.
Access the databaseEvery year, ISHR implements a campaign to #EndReprisals. Check them out!
Imagine determined individuals speaking up for what’s right for their communities, and then facing intimidation, threats and even imprisonment when they engage with the United Nations. This is not acceptable. Help us safeguard their voices and freedom. Join our campaign to #EndReprisals!
Ten years ago, Chinese woman human rights defender Cao Shunli was a victim of deadly reprisals for engaging with the United Nations. The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) and partners are paying her tribute and honouring other Chinese, Uyghur, Tibetan and Hong Kong human rights defenders who continue to hold the Chinese government accountable.
Human rights defenders are essential voices from our communities. They face intimidation and reprisals when engaging with the United Nations. Join our campaign to #EndReprisals!
During the Interactive Dialogue on reprisals with the Assistant Secretary-General at the 51st session of the Human Rights Council, eight States raised specific cases of reprisals. Our work to #EndReprisals is not over!
On 8 October 2021, the Human Rights Council adopted a strong resolution on reprisals. Our work to #EndReprisals is not over!
Check out all the latest updates to this topic.
ISHR joins 22 human rights organisations in strongly condemning the Hong Kong government’s escalating repression of activists in exile and the targeting of relatives of prominent activist Anna Kwok.
On 5 and 6 May 2025, during its 83rd Ordinary Session, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) held the second joint forum of its special mechanisms. This serves as an opportunity to bring actors from various backgrounds to discuss the possibility of converging human rights and sustainable development for the benefit of Africans.
At the 83rd ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, held in Banjul (The Gambia) from 2 May to 22 May, ISHR delivered an oral statement calling for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the continuation of the process toward a human rights defenders protection law in Zambia, reparations for Africans and people of African descent, and a binding treaty on environmental rights in Africa.
On 3 May 2025, on the sidelines of the 83rd ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, ISHR co-sponsored a side event on the situation of human rights defenders in the Sahel, organised by the International Federation for Human Rights and the World Organisation against Torture.
On 4 May 2025, on the sidelines of the 83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) in Banjul, ISHR officially launched its new report on the situation of human rights defenders in the African island states: Cape Verde, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Seychelles.
Human rights defenders (HRDs) are facing safety issues in Africa. Their commitment to human rights exposes them to serious risks of human rights violations. Recognising the important role of defenders in the effectiveness of human rights in African States, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights dedicated the first panel of its 83rd Ordinary Session to look at ways to 'silence violence against African defenders'.
