The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the context of natural resource exploitation projects 2015, para. 34
Paragraph- Paragraph text
- Legal mechanisms, such as injunctions, civil damages and trespass and defamation suits, are often used to curtail the work of civil society organizations and individuals engaged in defending rights in the context of natural resource exploitation. The increasing use of socalled "strategic litigation against public participation" suits is of concern because of the chilling effect the proceedings may have on the legitimate expression of dissent or opposition, including through peaceful protest. These suits may be brought by corporations against individuals or associations that are critical of natural resource exploitation activities in order to intimidate them or deter them from their work by burdening them with litigation costs and damages they may be unable to pay. The Special Rapporteur emphasizes that an independent judiciary should play a positive role in recognizing and upholding international human rights standards , especially in contexts where human rights defenders and communities are subjected to legal proceedings for exercising their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
- Legal status
- Non-negotiated soft law
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Means of adoption
- N.A.
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2015
- Paragraph type
- Other
- Reference
- SR Freedom of Assembly, Report to the HRC (2015), A/HRC/29/25, para. 34.
- Paragraph number
- 34
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