When the UK government pledged last year to “stand shoulder to shoulder” with human rights defenders, the commitment was widely welcomed. At a time of rising repression, threats and killings targeting those who defend human rights and the environment, clear diplomatic backing can be decisive and sometimes life-saving.

But a new UK government guidance on supporting human rights defenders, published on 17 December 2025, has raised alarm among civil society organisations. The updated document, which replaces guidance issued in 2019, is significantly weaker, removing several concrete commitments that previously underpinned the UK’s practical support for defenders at risk.

A Retreat From Earlier Commitments

The revised guidance contrasts sharply with the UK’s stated ambition to “defend civic space and fundamental freedoms”, one of four priorities linked to its current seat on the UN Human Rights Council.

Compared with the 2019 version, the new guidance offers less clarity on implementation, fewer assurances of proactive engagement, and limited information on what defenders can realistically expect from UK embassies and diplomatic missions.

Civil society organisations working directly with threatened defenders say the lack of detail creates uncertainty, particularly for those operating in high-risk environments where diplomatic intervention can make the difference between protection and persecution.

Why Guidance Matters on the Ground

For many defenders, diplomatic backing is not abstract policy. It is practical protection.

There are numerous examples where UK embassies have played a critical role: engaging with police to support the release of unlawfully detained climate activists, facilitating dialogue between communities and companies accused of targeting them, or raising concerns with authorities behind closed doors.

Such actions depend on flexibility, trust and sustained relationships, elements that were explicitly encouraged in earlier guidance but are now far less visible.

The updated document also leaves open questions about whether human rights defenders themselves were meaningfully consulted during the revision process.

A Global Context of Escalating Risk

The timing of the guidance has further heightened concern. According to civil society monitoring, at least 324 human rights defenders were killed worldwide in 2024. Many more faced harassment, criminalisation, arbitrary detention or smear campaigns.

Climate and land defenders remain particularly exposed, often confronting powerful economic interests while operating in regions with weak legal protections.

Against this backdrop, civil society groups argue that diluting diplomatic guidance sends the wrong signal, not only to defenders, but also to governments and companies accused of abuses.

Calls for Clarification and Action

Several key commitments present in the 2019 guidance no longer appear in the updated version.

In response, Araminta and partner organisations are calling on the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to clarify how the guidance will be implemented in practice.

They urge the government to make clear that the published document does not represent an exhaustive list of actions embassies can take, and that diplomatic missions are encouraged to work collaboratively with defenders to identify meaningful forms of support.

Additional recommendations include translating and disseminating the guidance in local languages, consulting defenders on local implementation plans, and establishing transparent monitoring and reporting mechanisms.

Standing “Shoulder to Shoulder” – In Practice

The UK government has repeatedly stated that it will “not waver in its defence of human rights”, standing with those whose voices are silenced and whose dignity is denied.

Civil society organisations argue that applying this commitment fully to human rights defenders would not only strengthen the UK’s international standing, but also support its broader foreign policy goals, from climate action and democratic resilience to the rule of law.

Whether the revised guidance will be strengthened in response to these concerns remains to be seen.

Download the full joint statement: “Alarm Bells Ring as UK Support for Human Rights Defenders Takes a Step Backwards”

Signed by Araminta and partner organisations working to protect human rights defenders worldwide.