The Justice Defenders program provides public and private assistance to human rights defenders globally. They use various methods to protect human rights defenders facing repercussions for their work, including observing trials to ensure fair trial standards are met, petitioning the UN, advocating for the repeal of laws that violate international human rights standards and other means necessary to hold those accountable for violations of human rights.

The Justice Defenders have supported environmental defenders working in almost every region of the world. From land rights activists to indigenous communities, the Program has defended defenders from frivolous criminal legal proceedings, harassment and smear campaigns for their legitimate environmental activism.