CRIMINALIZATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

1. This report analyzes in detail the problem of the improper use of criminal law by state and non-state actors with the aim of criminalizing the work of human rights defenders. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR or "the Commission") has continuously received pressing information corroborating that defenders in the Americas are systematically subjected to unfounded criminal proceedings in various contexts, with the purpose of paralyzing or delegitimizing the causes they pursue. This situation is of the utmost concern to the IACHR, since the improper use of the state's criminal apparatus against human rights defenders not only interferes with their work of defending and promoting human rights, but also affects the leading role they play in the consolidation of democracy and the rule of law.