Part A Risks faced by human rights defenders 1 Different types of risks faced by HRDs Human rights defenders often challenge powerful interests and expose abuses by governments, corporations, and other influential entities. By advocating for marginalized groups, holding perpetrators of rights violations accountable, and promoting social justice, HRDs can disrupt the status quo, making them targets of harassment, intimidation, and violence. Some terminology • Risks can be understood as the potential negative effects or actions HRDs might experience. • Threats are statements or actions indicating an intention to harm HRDs. • Reprisals are retaliatory actions taken in response to the work of HRDs, intended to punish or silence individuals or groups of defenders. • “Violations against HRD” refers to actions that infringe upon the fundamental rights and freedoms of HRDs. The types of risks HRDs can face are varied and include: • Stigmatization: Being denigrated and defamed, for example being labelled “anti-state” “terrorists” “criminals” “anti-religious” etc. • Violence: Physical and sexual assaults, disappearance, torture and death. • Threats of death and violence, including online harassment, with anonymity often adding to the levels of stress and intimidations experienced by HRDs. • Police harassment: arbitrary arrest and detention, being spied on. • Judicial harassment: filing legal claims and charges to intimidate and silence HRDs, entangling them in lengthy processes that disrupt their lives. • Attacks on property: vehicle, home, office being vandalised, property being stolen. • Administrative hinderance: funding denial, difficulties registering, requirements to provide financial information, restricting travel and association etc. • Attacks on livelihood: losing employment or educational opportunity, having professional accreditation withdrawn or denied. Violations against HRDs in Asia-Pacific According to FORUM-ASIA, in 2021 and 2022, HRDs in Asia-Pacific most often suffered judicial harassment (3,226 defenders affected), including arbitrary arrest and detention and denial of fair trial. There were 84 documented cases of targeted killings against HRDs, where 188 individuals lost their lives. HRDs also suffered physical violence (516 cases) and threats and intimidation (316 cases). Source: FORUM-ASIA, Defending in Numbers 2021-2022. 6 Relocation and Respite Toolkit