Human Rights Defenders Under Siege

In this timely book, human rights academics, activists and officials in the field discuss the achievements and challenges since the 1998 adoption of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (HRDs). The book includes a balanced combination of theoretical approaches and case studies with a global reach, developed under the institutional umbrella of the Association of Human Rights Institutes. Chapters provide an overview of HRDs, moving from an introduction to conceptual issues, to considering the shrinking space for civil society and the increasing obstacles to HRDs working to protect the rights of migrants in Europe. They also explore the unprecedented restrictions and attacks faced by HRDs implemented by State authorities and non-State actors, encompassing intimidation, arbitrary detention and criminalization. Human Rights Defenders Under Siege is a crucial resource for scholars and students in human rights law, public international law, and politics and public policy. Policymakers and practitioners will also benefit from its valuable insights, due to the increase in programs and funding schemes for the protection of HRDs.