In many countries around the world, human rights defenders are subjected to threats, judicial harassment, surveillance, arbitrary detention and even attacks and killings, and those who call for democratization are oppressed. At the same time, demonstrations are severely restricted and even brutally cracked down.
HRN works on the protection of human rights defenders by awarding and highlighting their work, by documenting and investigating attacks against human rights defenders, and by raising alarms when their situations are at risk. In particular, HRN supports women human rights defenders in Asia by awarding a significant woman human rights defender every year.
HRN also calls on state actors to ensure rights to freedom of assembly and association, oppose excessive restrictions and use of force, and work to protect a democratic space for people around the world.