3 Guidelines for diplomatic missions to international organisations

Supporting human rights defenders’ access to and cooperation with international organisations is a priority for Norwegian missions to international organisations. International organisations, both global, such as the UN, and regional, such as the Council of Europe and the OSCE, play a key role in supporting human rights defenders directly and by providing the normative framework for their work. Human rights defenders in turn assist these organisations in fulfilling their mandates.

Supporting human rights defenders in multilateral arenas is an important part of Norway’s overall efforts. Below are some measures diplomatic missions to international organisations may consider. In addition, section 2.2 on risk assessment and section 2.6 on publicity and public statements are also valid.

3.1 Regular contact with human rights defenders

The mission should facilitate contact with civil society and human rights defenders from different countries when they visit international organisations or participate in multilateral arenas. The mission’s direct contact and meetings with human rights defenders increase their visibility and show support for their right to participate in relevant international arenas, in addition to providing useful information about the country situation. Effective measures include:

• Inviting human rights defenders to meetings and events at the mission.
• Consulting with human rights defenders on country-specific initiatives within the framework of the organisations, including for example resolutions and joint statements.
• Supporting the participation of human rights defenders and civil society in multilateral arenas.
• Taking part in meetings, conferences, seminars, and side events where human rights defenders participate or have speaking roles.
• Showing public support, for example in the media or on social media.
• Identifying security measures in case of reprisals.

Diplomatic missions to international organisations should maintain close contact with the relevant bilateral missions and country desks.

3.2 Regular contact with international organisations

The mission should maintain an ongoing dialogue with the organisations about their efforts to support human rights defenders within their mandates. Promotion and protection of human rights are included in the mandates of several international organisations, including regional ones like the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the EU, the African Union, the Organisation of American States and ASEAN.

International organisations should address instances of reprisals against human rights defenders for cooperating with the organisations. This can include for example reporting on and developing responses to cases of reprisals.

3.3 Resolutions and statements in multilateral arenas

Norway is the penholder on the resolutions on the situation of human rights defenders in the UN Human Rights Council and the General Assembly. Norway presents substantial resolutions in the Human Rights Council every third year, and every second year in the General Assembly. Norway is also the penholder on the resolution on the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, which is renewed every three years in the Human Rights Council.

Norway promotes and supports language recognising human rights defenders and their need for protection in other UN resolutions and negotiated documents in other international organisations when relevant.

The situation of human rights defenders may be raised in Norway’s statements, including at the UN, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, as well as other multilateral arenas where Norway participates. The situation for human rights defenders is a priority in Norway’s comments and recommendations in connection with the Universal Periodic Review in the UN Human Rights Council.

3.4 Raising individual cases in multilateral arenas

In particular instances, expressing concern for the treatment of individual human rights defenders in multilateral arenas through national statements or joint statements with others could be considered. Both bilateral and multilateral missions may suggest cases to the Ministry. Bilateral missions are encouraged to be in contact with relevant multilateral missions. Multilateral missions should consult bilateral missions when civil society organisations ask them to work on individual cases.

The risk of reprisals needs to be considered when raising individual cases in multilateral arenas. The likelihood of positive developments in the case resulting from the action, or preventing deterioration, should also be considered. The mission needs to be in close dialogue with the human rights defender directly or via civil society before and after the statement.