Human Rights Defenders Face Growing Threats Across the World

September 21, 2026

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Human rights defenders are increasingly being threatened, harassed and attacked for standing up for the rights of others, as people working on the frontlines of human rights protection face growing pressure in different parts of the world.

A new report, On the Human Rights Frontline, documents the experiences of 82 human rights defenders across seven countries. Their work spans journalism, legal advocacy, community organising and campaigns for women’s, LGBTI, Indigenous and environmental rights.

The findings show the scale of the risks facing those who challenge injustice. Ninety-four percent of the defenders interviewed said they had experienced threats, harassment, abuse or death threats because of their work.

These are people who often work where communities have little protection and where speaking about abuse, discrimination or violations can come at a personal cost.

Journalists documenting abuses, lawyers representing vulnerable people, community activists defending their communities and campaigners challenging environmental or social injustices can all become targets simply because of the work they do.

The consequences are not limited to the defenders themselves. When people are intimidated or silenced, communities can lose some of their most important voices for accountability and justice.

For The Human Frontline, the issue goes beyond any single country or political system. Human rights defenders are part of a wider global effort to protect human dignity, freedom and basic rights. Their safety matters because the ability to speak, investigate, organise and peacefully challenge injustice is fundamental to an open society.

The report also highlights urgent calls for stronger international support, including greater action from the UK government to protect people working on the human rights frontline.

Governments and international institutions have a responsibility to ensure that those defending human rights are not left alone when they face threats because of their work.

Across the world, human rights defenders continue to stand with communities facing injustice, often at considerable personal risk.

Their protection should not depend on how powerful the people they challenge are.

The Human Frontline

No side. No border. Just the truth.