Indicators Framework
See the human rights indicators used in the tool for monitoring the enabling environment for human rights defenders.
Category 1. General framework for the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms
Attribute 1.1: General measures of implementation
| Structural indicators | Process indicators | Outcome indicators |
| Ratification and incorporation by the State of international human rights treaties with provisions of relevance to the protection of human rights defenders | State reports to relevant international human rights mechanisms within the last five years include developments in law, policy, and practice to guarantee the rights and freedoms referred to in the UNDHRD | Number of verified cases of killing, kidnapping, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, and torture of journalists, associated media personnel, trade unionists and human rights advocates (over the last three years) |
| Existence of national legislation or policy that recognises the role of human rights defenders in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (UNDHRD) | Existence of national action plan(s) developed by the state with specific measures to further the underlying rights in the UNDHRD | Reported cases of use of legislation to criminalize and harass human rights defenders (over the last three years) |
| Existence of independent national human rights institutions in compliance with the Paris Principles | Degree of state implementation of recommendations, decisions and judgements from UN human rights mechanisms and regional courts concerning human rights defenders and/or the rights referred to in the UNDHRD | Reported cases of threats, restrictions, and retaliations against national human rights institutions for protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms in keeping with their mandated activities (over the last three years) |
| Proportion of reported cases of killing, kidnapping, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, and torture of journalists, associated media personnel, trade unionists and human rights advocates that have resulted in a conviction of the perpetrator (over the last three years) | Reported cases of threats to individual human rights defenders (over the last three years) |
Attribute 1.2: Human Rights Education
| Structural indicators | Process indicators | Outcome indicators |
| Extent to which human rights education is mainstreamed in national education policies (adapted from SDG 4.7.1) | Explicit reference to fundamental rights and freedoms in the training curriculum for public officials | |
| Extent to which human rights education is mainstreamed in national education curricula (adapted from SDG 4.7.1) | ||
| Extent to which human rights education is mainstreamed in teacher education curricula. (adapted from SDG 4.7.1) | ||
| Proportion of public officials who have received training on the underlying rights in the UNDHRD (over the last three years) |
Category 2: Freedom of Opinion and Expression
Attribute 2.1: Freedom to hold opinions and to impart information and ideas
| Structural indicators | Process indicators | Outcome indicators |
| Existence of provisions in the constitution for the protection of freedom of opinion and expression | Proportion of reported cases of media censorship (online and offline) carried out by the state for reporting on human rights issues which were effectively remedied (over the last three years) | Proportion of civil society organizations working with human rights issues who reported feeling free to express themselves (over the last three years) |
| Existence of provisions in the national implementing legislation for the protection of freedom of opinion and expression | Proportion of reported cases of intimidation and reprisals against human rights defenders for communicating with international bodies which were effectively remedied (over the last three years) | Reported cases of media censorship carried out by the state for reporting on human rights issues (over the last three years) |
| Existence of provisions in the constitution and in national legislation that protect the right to have access to, communicate and cooperate with international bodies on human rights | Reported cases of blockage or filtering of websites, social media posts, social media blogs, or social media profiles and accounts that contain information that are critical of the government or discuss human rights issues (over the last three years) | |
| Reported cases of restrictions or disproportionate sanctions for the expression of thoughts and opinion | ||
| Reported cases of intimidation and reprisals against human rights defenders for communicating with international bodies (over the last three years) |
Attribute 2.2: Access to information
| Structural indicators | Process indicators | Outcome indicators |
| Existence of constitutional, statutory and/or other legal guarantee for public access to information (adapted from SDG 16.10.2) | Existence of a dedicated institution to oversee the implementation of access to Information legal guarantees | Reported cases of non-disclosure by state authorities of information of public interest requested by human rights defenders (to be included) |
| Existence of provisions in national legislation and policies which promote equal access to the internet and digital information technology | Existence of specific units in public bodies to handle access to information (ATI) requests from the public | |
| The text of the UNDHRD and core international human rights treaties are accessible in the official languages of the State |
Category 3. Freedom of Association and Assembly
Attribute 3.1: Freedom to hold Peaceful Assemblies
| Structural indicators | Process indicators | Outcome indicators |
| Existence of provisions in the constitution for the protection of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly | Proportion of reported cases of infringements of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly (online and offline) which were effectively remedied (over the last three years) | Reported attacks or other harmful acts against human rights defenders by state and non-state actors after participation in an assembly (over the last three years) |
| Existence of provisions in the national implementing legislation for the protection of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly | Proportion of law enforcement officers who have received training on policing of assemblies based on human rights standards | Reported cases of the state blocking or limiting internet connectivity, or blocking or limiting access to online accounts or fora in relation to peaceful assemblies (over the last three years) |
| Existence of provisions in national legislation on the duties and powers of law enforcement officials and private security service providers in the context of assemblies, including related to the use of force | Reported cases of infringements of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly (online and offline) (over the last three years) |
Attribute 3.2. Form, join and operate Associations
| Structural indicators | Process indicators | Outcome indicators |
| Existence of provisions in the constitution for the protection of the right to freedom of association | Existence of administrative procedures for registration of associations or for the obtainment of legal personality which are accessible, not discriminatory, and do not impose undue and burdensome requirements or unjustified restrictions. | Reported cases of unlawful interference by the State in the operation of associations working on human rights issues (over the last three year) |
| Existence of provisions in the national implementing legislation for the protection of the right to freedom of association | Proportion of reported cases of unlawful interference by the state in associations working on human rights issues which were effectively remedied (over the last three years) | Reported cases of requests for registration that were denied (over the last three years) |
| Existence of provisions in national legislation that protect the right of individuals and groups to seek, receive and utilise financial resources for the express purpose of promoting and striving for the protection and realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms | Proportion of reported cases of infringements to the right to seek, receive or utilize financial resources for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms which were effectively remedied (over the last three years) | Reported cases of infringements to the right to seek, receive or utilize financial resources for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms (over the last three years) |
Category 4. Right to Participation in Public Affairs
Attribute 4.1: Participation in the conduct of public affairs /equal and universal suffrage/access to public service
| Structural indicators | Process indicators | Outcome indicators |
| Existence of provisions in the constitution which protect the right to participate in public affairs | Existence of accessible and institutionalized mechanisms for public input into the development of laws, policies and regulations including those affecting human rights defenders | Proportion of positions in the legislature by sex, age, persons with disabilities and population groups (adapted from SDG 16.7.1) |
| Existence of provisions in the national implementing legislation which protect the right to participate in public affairs | Proportion of reported cases of acts aimed at restricting the right of human rights defenders to participate in public affairs which were effectively remedied (over the last three years) | Proportion of human rights defenders and their associations who report that current mechanisms for their participation in public decision-making are inclusive |
| Existence of provisions in national legislation and regulations requiring meaningful consultation with groups and communities whose rights are affected by legislative or administrative measures | Proportion of human rights defenders and their associations who report that current mechanisms for their participation in public decision-making are responsive | |
| Existence of mandatory human rights due diligence legislation requiring meaningful consultation on human rights impact and risks with stakeholders, including human rights defenders, from communities affected by business operations | Reported cases of acts aimed at restricting the right of human rights defenders to participate in public affairs (over the last three years) |
Category 5. Liberty and Security of Persons
Attribute 5.1: Security of Person from Abuse
| Structural indicators | Process indicators | Outcome indicators |
| Existence of provisions in national legislation and regulations on the conduct of law enforcement officials in compliance with human rights standards | Proportion of formal investigations into the misconduct of law enforcement officials against human rights defenders resulting in disciplinary action, prosecution, and convictions (over the last three years) | Number of verified cases of killing, kidnapping, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, and torture of human rights defenders under protection measures (over the last three years) |
| Existence of an effective program or mechanism of protection for human rights defenders at imminent risk | ||
| Proportion of interim and precautionary measures provided by international or regional human rights mechanisms implemented by the state (over the last three years) |
Attribute 5.2: Arrest and Detention/Effective Access to Court and Remedy
| Structural indicators | Process indicators | Outcome indicators |
| Existence of provisions in the constitution against arbitrary arrest and detention in compliance with human rights standards | Proportion of judges, prosecutors, and lawyers who received training in human rights standards for the administration of justice (over the last three years) | Unsentenced detainees as a proportion of the overall prison population |
| Existence of provisions in the national implementing legislation against arbitrary arrest and detention in compliance with human rights standards | Proportion of reported cases of infringements against the right to a fair trial for human rights defenders which were effectively remedied (over the last three years) | Reported cases of infringements against the right to a fair trial for human rights defenders (over the last three years) |
| Existence of provisions in the constitution in compliance with human rights standards that protect the right to a fair trial | Proportion of requests submitted by human rights defenders for legal aid in criminal proceedings which were granted (over the last three years) | |
| Existence of provisions in the national implementing legislation in compliance with human rights standards that protect the right to a fair trial |
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Contact
Carol Rask
Chief Advisor / Team Leader - Equality and Non-Discrimination
+45 91325661