Support for human rights defenders is already a long established element of the European Union’s human rights external relations policy. The purpose of these Guidelines is to provide practical suggestions for enhancing EU action in relation to this issue. The Guidelines can be used in contacts with third countries at all levels as well as in multilateral human rights fora, in order to support and strengthen ongoing efforts by the Union to promote and encourage respect for the right to defend human rights. The Guidelines also provide for interventions by the Union for human rights defenders at risk and suggest practical means to support and assist human rights defenders.

 

Guidelines (PDF)

 

For convenience the British Embassy has translated the guidelines into the following languages:

 

Spanish

Kaqchikel

Kiche

iXIL

Mam

Qeq'chi

 

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