We, the undersigned organisations and partners from around the world, reaffirm our unwavering solidarity with human rights defenders (HRDs) who continue to face judicial harassment, arbitrary detention, and persecution for their peaceful human rights work. We call for the release of all unjustly imprisoned activists and demand an end to attacks against HRDs.
On the sixth anniversary of the Stand As My Witness (SAMW) campaign, 15 July 2026, we stand together to highlight the ongoing unlawful targeting of defenders and to renew our collective commitment to their protection and release.
Launched in July 2020, the Stand As My Witness campaign was created to shine a light on the misuse of repressive national laws to silence human rights defenders and to mobilise international solidarity in response. Since its inception, the campaign has worked to raise awareness of emblematic cases, coordinate joint advocacy actions, and challenge the growing criminalisation of human rights activism.
At its launch, the campaign issued a call urging civil society organisations and allies worldwide to stand in solidarity with detained and persecuted defenders. This call was endorsed by more than 190 organisations, helping to draw international attention to the misuse of judicial systems to suppress dissent and civic freedoms, and harm those who fight for justice.
Over the past six years, sustained advocacy, international pressure, and collective action have contributed to the release of more than 31 human rights defenders, demonstrating the tangible impact of global solidarity.
Despite these achievements, many activists remain unfairly jailed. We remain deeply concerned that attacks against human rights defenders continue to intensify across all regions. Governments are increasingly resorting to restrictive laws, politicised judicial systems, surveillance, digital repression, and arbitrary detention to target activists, journalists, environmental defenders, women human rights defenders, Indigenous leaders, and others working to uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The CIVICUS 2025 People Power Under Attack Report states that civic freedoms are being curtailed in a record number of countries. Civil society is under severe attack in 122 of 198 countries and territories with detention of protesters, journalists and human rights defenders as among the top violations globally.
Through this joint statement, we call on governments worldwide to:
- Immediately and unconditionally release all arbitrarily detained human rights defenders;
- End the misuse of laws and judicial systems to criminalise peaceful activism and repeal laws seeking to silence dissent;
- Guarantee the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly;
- Cease propagating false information and anti-rights narratives, and use of digital platforms against civil society and human rights defenders; and
- Ensure the protection and safety of all human rights defenders in accordance with international human rights law.
We emphasise that human rights defenders are not criminals and terrorists, but courageous and concerned individuals who work to advance justice, dignity, accountability, and freedom for all.
———————————————–
Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards 
Leave a comment