Human rights defenders are people who, individually or with others, act to promote or protect human rights. Supporting and giving legitimacy to the work of human rights defenders is an important way for the EU to protect and promote the human rights of all. Human rights defenders are crucial actors in the struggle for political, social and economic rights. Their position at the forefront of defending and promoting human rights often puts them at particular risk of attack and intimidation. The EU acknowledged this with the adoption of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders in June 2004.
