advocate for another. For example, it would be unacceptable to defend the human rights of men but to deny that women have equal rights. Who is right and who is wrong – does it make a difference? A second important issue concerns the validity of the arguments advanced by HRDs. It is not essential for a human rights defender to be correct in his or her arguments in order to be a genuine defender. The critical test is whether or not the person is defending a human right. For example, a group of defenders may advocate for the right of a rural community to own the land they have lived on and have farmed for several generations. They may protest against private economic interests that claim to own land in the area. They may or may not be correct about who owns the land. However, whether or not they are legally correct is irrelevant to determine whether they are genuine HRDs. The test is whether their concerns fall within the scope of human rights. This is a very important issue because in many states, HRDs are often perceived by the State, or even the public, as being in the wrong because they are seen as supporting one side of an argument. They are then told that they are not “real” HRDs. Similarly, defenders who act in defense of the rights of political prisoners or persons from armed opposition groups are often described by State authorities as being supporters of such parties or groups, simply because they defend the rights of the people concerned. This is incorrect. HRDs must be defined and accepted according to the rights they are defending and according to their own right to do so. in al esta spec or s guar viol arbi as r asse and orga viol to th they spec inter whic DEC Peaceful action Finally, the actions taken by HRDs must be peaceful in order to comply with the Declaration CHALLENGES FACED BY HRDs Human rights violations committed against defenders, and other difficulties they confront Not all human rights work poses a risk to HRDs, and in some states defenders are generally well protected. However, the severity and scale of reprisals committed against defenders were one of the primary motivations behind the adoption of the Declaration and the establishment of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of HRDs. 8 with the colle and usef addr have mov on t Soci Fun “Th