Published: May 2025

On May 27, 2025, the Oversight Board overturned Meta’s decision to leave up content targeting a human rights defender from Peru, citing ICNL’s public comment in their decision.

The post portrayed the defender with her face covered in blood and a caption insinuating financial wrongdoing by non-governmental organizations, accusing them of relying on foreign funds and instigating violent protests.

The Oversight Board noted that the post “qualifies as a ‘veiled or implicit’ threat under the Violence and Incitement Community Standard” and that only removal can mitigate the threat to the human rights defender.

In its decision, the Board cited to ICNL’s public comment noting that: “The work of human rights defenders is essential for strengthening democracy and the rule of law . . . respect for human rights in a democratic society largely depends on effective and adequate guarantees for human rights defenders that enable them to carry out their activities freely.”

For more details, read the Decision here and ICNL’s public comment here.