Protocolo de la Esperanza

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PLE Guidelines

The PLE establishes guidelines based on international law to address threats and support public policies, investigation, prosecution, and sanction.

Development Process

The PLE is the result of a five-year global process that included workshops, specialized committees, and research.

Consultation and Participation

More than 600 human rights defenders, experts, judges, prosecutors, and UN and OAS mandate holders participated in the consultation process for its adoption.

Tribute to Berta Cáceres

The PLE honors Berta Cáceres, a Honduran human rights defender who was assassinated after receiving threats that were not investigated. It is named after her hometown, La Esperanza.

Human Rights Defenders

Human rights defenders are essential in ensuring that governments uphold their human rights commitments. However, the threats they face undermine their work and well- being, hindering their efforts and perpetuating impunity.

Objectives of the PLE

The PLE aims to guide officials, prosecutors, and judges in protecting those who defend fundamental rights. It highlights the impact of threats and provides guidelines for developing effective public policies and combating impunity.

Justice and Reparation

The PLE sets guidelines for the criminal investigation of threats, promotes reparations for victims, and encourages an intersectional approach, particularly for those affected due to their gender identity, race, or origin.

Protection and Prevention of Threats

The PLE promotes intersectional local protection mechanisms, developed in collaboration with civil society, to prevent threats and ensure compliance with States'; international obligations.

Human rights defenders play a crucial role in ensuring that governments uphold their national and international human rights commitments. They advocate for the rights of all people. However, the threats they face hinder their ability to carry out their work and lead a dignified life.

The Esperanza Protocol is backed by experts, professionals, and human rights defenders, as well as local and international organizations, academics, and specialists in the field. It also has the support of current and former officials from regional and international human rights bodies, among others.

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In this section, you will find key information and essential tools for documenting, investigating, and preventing serious human rights violations.

For thirty years, CEJIL has worked side by side with human rights defenders who stand up against and confront serious human rights violations. CEJIL’s contributions to the development of legal standards and its collaboration with the universal and inter- American systems, academia, and key actors in the justice system place it in a privileged position to lead this initiative. By bringing together diverse perspectives, CEJIL aims to develop innovative and proactive structural strategies for the protection of human rights defenders worldwide.

Multiple individuals and human rights organizations recognize the urgent need to address threats and impunity from new angles. In recent years, they have come together to work through a series of committees, contributing to this initiative.