Decree No. 12.710 establishing the National Plan for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders.

This Decree creates the National Plan for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, with the aim of articulating and coordinating policies, programmes and actions for the comprehensive protection of human rights defenders in the country. Human Rights Defenders are considered as: individuals, groups, communities, communicators and environmental agents who promote and defend human rights. The objectives of the National Plan for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders are: strengthen coordinated action in programmes, policies and initiatives for the protection of human rights defenders; encourage cooperation between the Union, States, Federal District and Municipalities for the implementation of public policies and actions for the protection of human rights defenders; coordinate policies to guarantee individual, collective and territorial protection for human rights defenders; and promote civil society participation in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of public protection policies.