ZMINA participates in the First European Forum of Environmental Human Rights Defenders
On 4 June, the Human Rights Centre ZMINA is participating in the First European Forum of Environmental Human Rights Defenders, which has brought together around 400 participants from almost all 46 member states of the Council of Europe. Over the course of two days, environmental activists, human rights defenders, and representatives of international institutions are discussing the state of civic space and the development of environmental democracy in Europe.
Photo: Ana More, Head of the Civil Society Protection Programme at the Human Rights Centre ZMINAThis first gathering laid the groundwork for the creation of a permanent European platform where human rights defenders, institutions, and policymakers can exchange experiences, identify protection gaps, and strengthen cooperation.
During the opening session, Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, emphasised the importance of such gatherings: “This forum comes at a critical moment as we respond to the risks faced by defenders across Europe“. He stressed that at least three environmental human rights defenders are killed every week worldwide, while protesters are increasingly subjected to police violence and arbitrary detention. According to him, legal mechanisms are often used by corporations as tools of pressure, while environmental activists are increasingly targeted by online disinformation campaigns. In this context, Berge underscored the urgency of collective action: “We are confronted with the need for urgent joint solutions“.
The forum was also opened by Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; Sirpa Rautio, Director of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights; Petra Bayr, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe; and Mattias Guyomar, President of the European Court of Human Rights.
Photo: Head of Civil Society Protection at ZMINA, Ana More, and Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Andrea Bolaños VargasThe first day of the forum, held on 3 June, took place behind closed doors, providing a safe space for human rights defenders themselves, particularly those who face risks as a result of their work. During these discussions, participants developed joint messages addressed to international organisations and governments.
Ana More, Head of the Civil Society Protection Programme at the Human Rights Centre ZMINA, represented the organisation at the forum. She presented the organisation’s analytical report, focusing on the situation of environmental activism in Ukraine, as well as an analysis of national legislation. The presentation highlighted the cases of environmental activists Olena Mudra and Oksana Stankevych-Volosianchuk, whose cases were closed as a result of public attention and advocacy efforts.
Photo: The report “The situation of human rights defenders and civic activists in Ukraine in 2025”More took part in a working group focused on the criminalisation of environmental activism and SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). Among the key ideas discussed were increasing public awareness of such cases and using high-profile cases as a tool for legislative change.
Ana More also proposed expanding educational initiatives: “Alongside legislative reforms, it is important to engage donors in supporting educational programmes for judges and lawyers so that they can effectively apply existing legislation and dismiss SLAPP cases already at the first-instance level”.
Photo: Oleksii Pasiuk, Executive Director of the NGO Ecoaction, and Ana More, Head of the Civil Society Protection Programme at the Human Rights Centre ZMINAOn the second day of the forum, participants focused on key issues, including the role of environmental defenders in policymaking, the threats and risks they face, states’ obligations to guarantee the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, as well as strengthening protection mechanisms and developing practical recommendations for the future. Ukraine was represented by Olha Melen-Zabramna, Head of the Legal Department at the Environment–People–Law organisation.
“Sustainable and long-term funding for environmental organizations and legal practitioners defending environmental human rights must be secured, preferably through international support mechanisms. Such funding is necessary to enable environmental defenders to access justice, challenge unlawful and environmentally harmful projects and decisions, obtain qualified legal representation, and defend themselves against criminal prosecutions, administrative sanctions and SLAPPs“, emphasized Melen-Zabramna.
The forum marked an important step towards consolidating international efforts to protect those who defend the right to a safe environment and human rights on a daily basis.
Photo credit: Council of EuropeBackground: The European Forum of Environmental Human Rights Defenders aims to strengthen cooperation among activists, civil society organisations, Indigenous Peoples’ representatives, governments, and international institutions to address common challenges, exchange experiences, and enhance the protection of environmental defenders. The forum is co-coordinated by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Council of Europe, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, and the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention, in cooperation with international organisations and civil society.
