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The Special Rapporteur's vision of the mandate 2017, para. 35
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- In his third report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/26/29), in which he assessed the threats against groups most at risk when exercising their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, the previous mandate holder focused on the challenges facing groups that were often relegated to the margins of society, both in their daily lives and in the exercise of those rights. In the report, he highlighted the link between the denial of those rights and the marginalization of such groups and how that marginalization exacerbated their inability to effectively exercise their rights. Some of the groups considered to be most at risk were persons with disabilities; youth, including children; women; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people; members of minority groups; indigenous peoples; internally displaced persons; and non-nationals, including refugees, asylum seekers and migrant workers. For the purpose of the report, the groups most at risk also included groups and individuals who were targeted not because of their identity, but because they actively lobbied for the rights of those most at risk of discrimination and retribution. He noted that human rights defenders, including journalists, trade unionists and environmental activists, faced considerable opposition, harassment, stigmatization and even physical attacks from State and non-State actors in many countries.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Ethnic minorities
- LGBTQI+
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Fundamentalism and its impact on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association 2016, para. 73
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- Whereas cultural and nationalist fundamentalisms in some countries manifest themselves through the exclusion of individuals who do not conform to the "national culture", other countries seek to assimilate by imposing the dominant or national culture on minority ethnic groups.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Fundamentalism and its impact on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association 2016, para. 74
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- The Special Rapporteur is concerned about reports of restrictions on the free exercise of religion as a part of cultural life and on the use and teaching of minority languages, history and culture, and about the mandatory use of Chinese in the Tibet and Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Regions. Furthermore, peaceful demonstrations in the Tibet Autonomous Region against these measures are met with excessive force and arbitrary arrests of demonstrators. Gatherings of individuals, including for religious activities, are frequently impeded by the authorities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Fundamentalism and its impact on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association 2016, para. 76
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- Caste-based systems found in some countries in South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region are considered to be discrimination on the basis of descent, but are also illustrative of cultural fundamentalism that violates the rights of those considered to be of inferior status. Caste-based systems are hereditary in nature, and they determine labour and occupation status, which is confined to menial and so-called "polluting" jobs. Caste systems also include untouchability practices based on the belief that contact with individuals from lower castes is "polluting", and discourage or prohibit intercaste interactions such as marriages, eating together and sharing goods and services (see A/HRC/31/56, para. 28).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
The exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the workplace 2016, para. 64
- Paragraph text
- Racial discrimination can prevent workers from exercising their peaceful assembly and association rights, as in Colombia, where approximately 75 per cent of the workforce in Colombia's ports, primarily Afro-descendant workers, are employed under flexible contracts and not allowed to join unions or to bargain. Many of the thousands of trade unionists in Colombia murdered between 1986 and 2011 were Afro-Colombian.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Fundamentalism and its impact on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association 2016, para. 79
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- As with the other expressions of fundamentalism described above, the Special Rapporteur considers that individuals, groups or authorities that employ or acquiesce to the use of cultural and national superiority arguments often seek to exercise power over minority populations. He therefore urges promotion and protection of diversity and tolerance, as a means to ensure effective exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, to strengthen social cohesion and democratic governance and to prevent conflict.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
The exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the workplace 2016, para. 102i
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- [The Special Rapporteur recommends that the United Nations and multilateral financial institutions:] In consultation with trade unions and worker organizations, ensure the promotion and protection of assembly and association rights in their policies and programmes, particularly with regard to policies related to employment, economic development, trade, migration and the rights of specific groups, including women, children, racial/ethnic minorities;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Ethnic minorities
- Persons on the move
- Women
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Fundamentalism and its impact on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association 2016, para. 71
- Paragraph text
- Political support for cultural or nationalist fundamentalism is not always overt. The discrimination against the Rohingya in Myanmar, described above, although apparently based on religious differences, also carries political nationalist overtones which have led to, among other things, denial of citizenship for many Rohingya in Rakhine State. The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar has observed with concern calls made by religious leaders and politicians to incitement and hatred against minorities. This includes the involvement of nationalist groups in inciting discrimination against and exclusion of the Rohingya, a video on the Internet of a party leader calling for the killing of the Rohingya, the lack of government condemnation of these discriminatory statements, and the imprisonment of an individual for speech discouraging the use of Buddhism as a tool for nationalist extremism (see A/70/412, paras. 30 and 31).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Fundamentalism and its impact on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association 2016, para. 60
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- A relatively large number of Member States declare an official State religion, though this in itself does not necessarily lead to fundamentalism or to undue restrictions on assembly and association rights. In countries where there is an official State religion, the Special Rapporteur believes that strong legal protections for minority faiths are critical, and that no special privileges should be granted to followers of the State religion. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the context of natural resource exploitation projects 2015, para. 19
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- In many cases, the most egregious violations of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the context of natural resource exploitation are committed against groups and individuals inhabiting regions far from centres of power, who are often at risk or already marginalized within society. They may lack access to information or the means of effectively advocating for their concerns, or they may be confronted with authorities are that are unable or unwilling to address their grievances. The ability to freely associate and to peacefully assemble are indispensable in this regard. Some of the categories of persons that require special attention in the context of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association and of natural resource exploitation are women (including women human rights defenders), Afro-descendants, indigenous peoples, peasant farmers, fisher folk and forest dwellers.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Environment
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the context of natural resource exploitation projects 2015, para. 58
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- Restrictive laws, for example, are used to target organizations working on issues that the authorities find sensitive. Emblematic of this approach is the use by Ecuador of Executive Decree No. 16 to close the Pachamama Foundation, which had worked peacefully and legitimately for 18 years to defend human rights, especially the rights of indigenous peoples in the Amazon (A/HRC/26/21 and ECU 4/2013).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the context of natural resource exploitation projects 2015, para. 44
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- Negative perceptions of the exercise of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly are also manifested through the increasing harassment, intimidation and criminalization of activities by environmental, land rights and other activists and groups that advocate for the effective consultation and participation of affected communities in decisions affecting them. They are charged with crimes that often carry severe sentences, such as sabotage and terrorism. In Chile, the Mapuche indigenous peoples, who have long protested over the loss of their lands and territory, were charged (though eventually acquitted) under the country's anti-terrorism law; legitimate protest had thus been equated with criminal offences (see A/HRC/21/47/Add.3, case CHL 1/2011, and A/HRC/19/44, case CHL 1/2011). In the Philippines, penalties have been imposed under the Penal Code for "grave coercion", an offence defined as using violence to prevent another person from doing something that is not unlawful or compelling the person to do something against their will. The Special Rapporteur was informed that peaceful protestors who obstruct mining company employees and equipment are often charged with grave coercion. Civil society organizations in Canada have expressed concern about the definition of "activities that undermine the security of Canada" contained in the Security of Canada Information Sharing Act proposed in Bill C-51 (Anti-Terrorism Act) and the potential for the authorities to interfere with legitimate peaceful protests that they define as "undermining" security. The Australian State of Tasmania in November 2014 enacted the Workplaces (Protection from Protestors) Act 2014, which makes it a criminal offence to participate in a protest that may obstruct or prevent a business activity or access to a business premises (see also A/HRC/28/85, case AUS 3/2014).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the context of natural resource exploitation projects 2015, para. 45
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- Violations are perpetrated in many resource-rich countries where authorities and others rely on criminalization to intimidate communities into giving up their land for industry. In Brazil, confrontations between non-indigenous farmers and indigenous groups have led to criminal prosecution of the latter for occupying lands as a form of protests (see A/HRC/12/34/Add.2, para. 49). The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples has reported that the Government of Argentina had responded to protests from indigenous groups opposing evictions or other projects by prosecuting those involved (see A/HRC/21/47/Add.2, paras. 51, 56 and 57). In Ecuador, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has expressed concern about the criminal investigations and convictions of indigenous leaders protesting against legislative proposals concerning water management and development projects (see E/C.12/ECU/CO/3, para. 10).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the context of natural resource exploitation projects 2015, para. 49
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- Unfortunately, despite their potential for mitigating the underlying reasons for many peaceful protests in the context of natural resource exploitation, consultation mechanisms are often overlooked or employed inadequately. International human rights law and standards mandate that free, prior and informed consent is a prerequisite for the exploitation of natural resources in areas owned by indigenous peoples. As recommended in the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, due diligence, including conducted through human rights impact assessments before the start of the project, is key for ensuring that exploitation activities do not violate the rights of affected communities.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the context of natural resource exploitation projects 2015, para. 50
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- In this regard, the Special Rapporteur welcomes the launch by Colombia of new public policy guidelines on human rights and business in July 2014. The guidelines are being promoted as a way to guarantee that business operations are conducted in accordance with human rights. He similarly welcomes information from the Government of Costa Rica that indicates that the country's overarching legal norms regulating commercial agreements guarantee the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. Chile has recently assembled an interministerial commission responsible for reviewing and aligning regulations governing the General Consultation Process and the Environmental Impact Evaluation System. This action was a direct consequence of criticism levelled at existing indigenous participation mechanisms by the National Institute of Human Rights and the Human Rights Centre of Diego Portales University.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2015
Paragraph
Challenges faced by groups most at risk when exercising or seeking to exercise the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and/or of association 2014, para. 54
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- The process of registering an association may prove to be cumbersome for marginalized groups and exclude groups such minorities or persons with disabilities. For example, the language used to communicate could be inaccessible, and physical access to locations for registration could also be a challenge for those groups. Mandatory registration, particularly where authorities have broad discretion to grant or deny registration, provides an opportunity for the State to refuse or delay registration to groups that do not espouse "favourable" views. Associations formed to defend human rights, engage in civic awareness, and to lobby and advocate are susceptible to such delays and denials, as has reportedly been the case in the Sudan.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Persons with disabilities
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Challenges faced by groups most at risk when exercising or seeking to exercise the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and/or of association 2014, para. 20
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- [International human rights instruments that protect the rights of particular groups specifically recognize directly or indirectly the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association for those groups:] The right of minority groups to freely associate is implied in the protection of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of their right, in community with other members of their group, to enjoy their own culture, practice their religion and use their own language (art. 27).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Challenges faced by groups most at risk when exercising or seeking to exercise the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and/or of association 2014, para. 58
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- Legislation that provides broad discretion to authorities to monitor or oversee the activities of associations poses a grave risk to the continued existence of organizations that engage in activities perceived to be threatening to the State. Groups that advocate against the unsustainable use of natural resources or the use of those resources contrary to the rights of indigenous peoples are often targeted and risk closure, as happened to Fundación Pachamama in Ecuador pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 16. The Special Rapporteur emphasizes that associations are entitled to operational autonomy, which includes the freedom to choose which activities they engage in to achieve organizational goals.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Environment
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Challenges faced by groups most at risk when exercising or seeking to exercise the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and/or of association 2014, para. 52
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- Legislation requiring associations to adhere to a State ideology, principles or religion can be used to exclude individuals and groups that do not subscribe to that ideology, principles or religion. In Indonesia for example, the Law on Mass Organizations requires that the objectives of associations do not contradict State principles (Pancasila), thus excluding groups, including minorities, that may not agree with those principles.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Challenges faced by groups most at risk when exercising or seeking to exercise the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and/or of association 2014, para. 56
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- Nevertheless, where a registration regime exists, requirements should be framed such that no one is disadvantaged in the formation of her or his association, either by burdensome procedural requirements or unjustifiable limitations to substantive activities of associations. The State has an obligation to take positive measures to overcome specific challenges that confront marginalized groups, such as indigenous peoples, minorities, persons with disabilities, women and youth, in their efforts to form associations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Persons with disabilities
- Women
- Youth
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Challenges faced by groups most at risk when exercising or seeking to exercise the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and/or of association 2014, para. 59
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- The use of national security or counter-terrorism legislation to restrict or prohibit the formation or registration of associations is often detrimental to the right to freedom of association of minority groups. Under the guise of fighting terrorism or extremism, associations comprised of minorities, including religious, linguistic or ethnic minorities, may be subjected to delays in registration, denial of registration, harassment and interference. Such associations may be seen as promoting or propagating views or beliefs not shared by the majority of the population or that are unfavourable to the authorities. The Special Rapporteur recognizes that States have a legitimate obligation to protect their national security and public safety. However, this legitimate interest should never be used as an excuse to silence critical or diverse voices. States must treat all associations equitably, regardless of their views, and this treatment must be guided by objective criteria that comply with international human rights law, where a registration regime exists. In Chile, members of the Mapuche indigenous community have been targeted under counter-terrorism legislation when advocating for the rights of their community. In Turkey, peaceful Kurdish activists advocating for the rights of their community have been arrested and sentenced to prison for allegedly belonging to an association considered to be a terrorist group.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Challenges faced by groups most at risk when exercising or seeking to exercise the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and/or of association 2014, para. 18
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- [Various international law instruments point to particular principles and measures that States should adopt in order to achieve non-discrimination and equality. For example, States should:] Combat prejudice, eliminate discrimination and promote tolerance, understanding and good relations among indigenous peoples and all other segments of society;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Challenges faced by groups most at risk when exercising or seeking to exercise the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and/or of association 2014, para. 35
- Paragraph text
- Moreover, the assemblies of religious, ethnic and cultural minorities have been selectively targeted. In Rakhine State, Myanmar, for example, Emergency Act 144 was applied in June 2012 to prevent groups of five or more people from gathering in public areas. The Act was imposed following severe riots between Rohingya Muslims, a predominantly stateless ethnic group in western Rakhine State, and Buddhists in the area. The ban on public gatherings, however, has reportedly only been enforced against Rohingya. The ban has been extended numerous times, and was still in effect at the time of the drafting of the present report. The ban has also prevented Rohingya from gathering in local mosques to pray and celebrate religious festivals; Buddhists religious gatherings have reportedly not been disrupted.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Humanitarian
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Challenges faced by groups most at risk when exercising or seeking to exercise the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and/or of association 2014, para. 53
- Paragraph text
- Registration requirements for associations may have a disproportionate effect on certain groups most at risk, making it harder for them to form associations. For example, minority groups may face difficulties in forming associations that aim to protect and preserve their culture in a State that seeks to suppress ethnic minority identity or interprets minority consciousness as a means for minority groups to undermine territorial integrity. The Special Rapporteur echoes the jurisprudence of the European Court on Human Rights affirming the legitimacy of associations formed to promote issues of concern to minorities for historical and economic reasons.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Challenges faced by groups most at risk when exercising or seeking to exercise the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and/or of association 2014, para. 51
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur is concerned at the increasing incidents of racism and incitement to racism in various regions of the world. He further notes the absence, in several States, of laws prohibiting and criminalizing the formation of associations that promote racism and discrimination as required by article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. This constitutes a serious omission in the protection of the right to freedom of association. The Special Rapporteur emphasizes that this provision is a key protection against organizations that target groups most at risk of discrimination, such as minorities, indigenous peoples and non-citizens. While noting that the involuntary dissolution of associations should be a measure of last resort, he agrees with the European Court of Human Rights that the dissolution of an association that engages in racist activities constitutes a justifiable limitation of the freedom of association. Moreover, the Special Rapporteur endorses the view that the criminalization of the dissemination of racism, xenophobia or ethnic intolerance, and the dissolution of every group, organization, association or party that promotes them, are peremptory norms from which no derogation is allowed.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Challenges faced by groups most at risk when exercising or seeking to exercise the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and/or of association 2014, para. 18
- Paragraph text
- [Various international law instruments point to particular principles and measures that States should adopt in order to achieve non-discrimination and equality. For example, States should:] Take measures to protect and promote the rights of minorities and their identity and take positive action to help minority cultures flourish;
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
The exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the context of multilateral institutions 2014, para. 68
- Paragraph text
- Civil society actors communicating with United Nations treaty bodies were similarly subject to reprisals. In 2012, a human rights defender from Belarus was temporarily forbidden to leave the country after he participated in an NGO briefing to the Committee against Torture on Belarus during its forty-seventh session. In 2013, two Cuban NGO representatives were harassed and intimidated by a State official and members of government organized NGOs during the fifty-fifth session of the Committee on Discrimination against Women. In 2013, the premises of an Egyptian NGO were raided and members arrested after having cooperated with the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. In 2010, several indigenous organizations from Guatemala were subject to a smear campaign following their participation in the seventy-sixth session of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. In 2012, two NGOs were charged under the Russian foreign agent legislation following submissions they made to the Committee against Torture during the consideration of the fifth periodic report of the Russian Federation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
The exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the context of multilateral institutions 2014, para. 65
- Paragraph text
- There have been repeated instances of reprisals against individuals, or their relatives, participating or seeking to participate in sessions of the Human Rights Council. The most dramatic forms of retaliation involved the loss of lives. For instance, Cao Shunli, a Chinese human rights defender who worked on increasing citizen inputs to the preparations of China's UPR, was arrested in September 2013 before boarding her flight to Geneva to participate in a human rights seminar and observe China's UPR. She was subsequently charged with the crime of "provocation". While in detention, her health dramatically deteriorated as she was allegedly denied medical treatment. She died on 14 March 2014. In December 2008, Edwin Legarda, an indigenous leader and husband of Aida Quilcué Vivas, was killed by security forces on his way to collect his wife at the airport. She was returning from Geneva, where she had participated in the UPR session of Colombia. Six former members of the military were subsequently arrested, tried and sentenced to 40 years' imprisonment.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Ethnic minorities
- Families
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
The exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the context of multilateral institutions 2014, para. 74
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur is concerned that the Committee has on several occasions acted in a manner contrary to the spirit of resolution 1996/31. He was informed that the Committee has arbitrarily deferred applications for consultative status of NGOs, several for many years. As of April 2014, out of the 48 organizations which have had their accreditations repeatedly deferred, 46 work on human rights issues, such as children and women's rights, minorities and country situations: e.g., the Asia Centre for Human Rights (since 2008), the Child Rights Information Network (since 2010), the Iran Human Rights Documentation Centre (since 2010) and the Global Network for Rights and Development (since 2011). The Committee has reportedly addressed either repetitive or irrelevant questions to such organizations. The case of the International Dalit Solidarity Network, an international NGO focusing on caste-based discrimination and other forms of discrimination based on work and descent, is particularly troubling: since 2008, the Network has received 64 written questions from the Committee, all raised by India. It is now the longest pending application before the Committee.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Gender
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph
Challenges faced by groups most at risk when exercising or seeking to exercise the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and/or of association 2014, para. 34
- Paragraph text
- Individuals with disabilities frequently face difficulty in staging peaceful assemblies due to limitations related to their disabilities. Those obstacles include the inability to gain access to the forms and notification procedures (for example, due to a lack of regulations or forms in Braille or other accessible formats) and to Government offices where a notification of assembly may be lodged. In that respect, the Special Rapporteur urges States to strive for implementation of article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which called for States to recognize the equal right of all persons with disabilities to live in the community, with choices equal to others, and to take effective and appropriate measures to facilitate full enjoyment by persons with disabilities of that right and their full inclusion and participation in the community. Similarly, a lack of multilingual forms may also pose an obstacle to indigenous and minority groups and any other individuals or groups not fluent in the primary language of the local jurisdiction.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Persons with disabilities
- Year
- 2014
Paragraph