Report on Safeguarding Human Rights Defenders in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

This report analyzes the call to action issued by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 22 August 2025, regarding the urgent need for enhanced protection of human rights defenders. Specifically, it focuses on those working to protect the freedom of thought, conscience, religion, or belief. The report reframes this imperative within the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, demonstrating that safeguarding these individuals is not only a human rights obligation but also a critical component for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

2.0 The Role of Human Rights Defenders in Achieving the 2030 Agenda

Human rights defenders who advocate for freedom of religion or belief are essential actors in the creation of inclusive, just, and peaceful societies. Their work directly supports the foundational principles of the 2030 Agenda by challenging discrimination, promoting tolerance, and holding institutions accountable. Protecting them is a prerequisite for sustainable development.

3.0 Direct Correlation with SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The mandate to protect human rights defenders is intrinsically linked to the successful implementation of SDG 16. The following targets are of particular relevance:

• Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms. Defenders are at the forefront of protecting the fundamental freedom of religion or belief. Attacks on them are direct attacks on this target.
• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. Ensuring accountability for threats and violence against defenders is a key indicator of a state’s commitment to the rule of law.
• Target 16.A: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, to build capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime. Strong, independent institutions are required to provide effective protection mechanisms for defenders.

4.0 Broader Implications for Sustainable Development

The protection of these defenders extends beyond SDG 16 and is interconnected with a wider range of global goals:

• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): By advocating for marginalized religious or belief communities, defenders work to reduce inequalities and combat discrimination.
• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Women human rights defenders often face compounded threats. Ensuring their safety and participation is crucial for achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The OSCE’s call for “greater efforts” underscores the need for multi-stakeholder partnerships between governments, civil society organizations, and international bodies to create a safe and enabling environment for defenders.

5.0 Recommendations for Integrated Action

To align the protection of human rights defenders with the advancement of the SDGs, the following actions are recommended:

1. States must develop and enforce specific legal and policy frameworks to protect human rights defenders, explicitly recognizing their contribution to achieving the SDGs.
2. Judicial and law enforcement systems must be strengthened to investigate and prosecute all acts of violence and intimidation against defenders, thereby reinforcing SDG 16.3.
3. National development plans and SDG reporting mechanisms should include specific indicators on the safety and operational freedom of human rights defenders.
4. International and regional organizations should increase support for civil society networks that protect defenders, fostering partnerships as outlined in SDG 17.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to human rights, fundamental freedoms, and justice, which directly connect to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The main SDGs identified are:

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This is the most relevant SDG, as the article’s core message is about safeguarding human rights defenders, protecting fundamental freedoms (specifically freedom of religion or belief), and commemorating victims of violence. These themes are central to promoting peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article’s focus on protecting freedom of religion or belief implicitly addresses the need to reduce inequalities. Persecution or violence based on belief is a form of discrimination that leads to the exclusion and marginalization of certain groups, which this goal aims to eliminate.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the key issues discussed, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” The article’s mention of the “International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence” directly links to this target by highlighting the need to protect individuals from violence based on their beliefs.
   • Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.” The call to “safeguard human rights defenders” is a call to uphold the rule of law, as these defenders often work to ensure that legal systems protect everyone’s rights equally.
   • Target 16.10: “Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.” The article explicitly focuses on “protecting our right to freedom of religion or belief,” which is a fundamental freedom central to this target.
2. Under SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… religion or other status.” The article advocates for protecting freedom of religion, which is essential for ensuring that individuals are not excluded or discriminated against based on their beliefs.
   • Target 10.3: “Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices.” Protecting people from violence and defending their right to freedom of belief are crucial steps in eliminating discriminatory practices and ensuring equal opportunity for all members of society.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not explicitly state any quantitative indicators. However, it implies several qualitative and quantitative measures that could be used to track progress:

• Implied Indicator for Target 16.1: The reference to “Victims of Acts of Violence” implies an indicator related to the number of violent attacks, injuries, and deaths motivated by religion or belief. This would measure the extent to which violence against specific groups is being reduced.
• Implied Indicator for Target 16.10: The call to “safeguard human rights defenders” points directly to an indicator used to measure progress on this target: Indicator 16.10.1, which tracks the “number of verified cases of killing, kidnapping, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention and torture of… human rights advocates.” The article’s focus suggests monitoring such cases specifically for defenders working on freedom of religion or belief.
• Implied Indicator for Target 10.3: The overall theme of protecting freedom of religion implies the need to monitor the existence and enforcement of laws and policies that prohibit discrimination based on religion or belief. This aligns with the spirit of Indicator 10.3.1, which measures the “proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed… on the basis of… religion.”

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: osce.org