MAAP 2022-24 - Action 5 - EU Human Rights Defenders Mechanism Full enjoyment of human rights cannot be achieved unless the defence of those rights is ensured. In the past decade, the European Union (EU) has progressively developed a comprehensive support to human rights defenders (HRDs), most notably through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), thanks to which the EU became a leading actor in this area at global level. Support to HRDs remains a top priority of the EU external human rights policy and action. Building on past achievements and lessons learned of the EIDHR, the Action will fund a comprehensive flagship programme providing direct support to human rights defenders at risk worldwide.&nbsp;The `EU Human Rights Defenders Mechanism¿ will provide multifaceted support to HRDs under threat globally through the provision of emergency assistance, support to organisations and groups, holistic temporary relocation programmes, shelter initiatives support, capacity-building, monitoring, advocacy and outreach. The Mechanism will also further develop protective legal actions, the provision of psychosocial support, how to address crisis and longer term needs, and the strengthening of HRDs protection networks. Specific attention will be given to different needs and actions pertaining to various categories of HRDs at risk, such as young activists, women human rights defenders, LGBTIQ, environmental, land and indigenous peoples¿ rights defenders, trade unionists, journalists, etc. Emerging categories of HRDs facing increased threats will also need attention: defenders combatting corruption, digital rights defenders (combatting surveillance and online censorship) and labour rights defenders among others.&nbsp;Support to and synergies with EU institutions, and in particular delegations will be enhanced. The provision of multifaceted, including direct, support to HRDs (individuals, groups and organisations) at risk worldwide, aims to protect and empower HRDs, as well as improve their working environment, so that they are enabled to continue their work for the promotion, protection and realisation of human rights.Since 2015, the EU Human Rights Defenders Mechanism is successfully managed by the ProtectDefenders.eu Consortium, which is composed of international human rights NGOs specialised in the protection of HRDs at risk and uniquely combining thematic and geographic expertise. The Consortium established itself as a key actor in the provision of multifaceted support to HRDs including in most difficult situations. The ProtectDefenders.eu Secretariat is partnering with the EU to operate the EU Emergency Fund for HRDs at Risk since 2019. The ProtectDefenders.eu Consortium will therefore continue implementing the EU HRDs Mechanism in an integrated and reinforced manner for the upcoming period.The action will contribute to the following specific objective and result of the human rights and democracy thematic programme multi-annual indicative programme: to protect and empower Human Rights Defenders and civil society to continue with their work in spite of threats and spearhead positive changes.The EU support will contribute to the whole SDG framework and in particular SDG 16, 5 and 10.