Search Tips
sorted by
30 shown of 33 entities
Ability of associations to access financial resources as a vital part of the right to freedom of association & Ability to hold peaceful assemblies as an integral component of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly 2013, para. 43
- Paragraph text
- The ability to hold peaceful assemblies is a fundamental and integral component of the multifaceted right to freedom of peaceful assembly, which shall be enjoyed by everyone. Such ability is of utmost importance to the work of civil society actors, including those promoting the realization of economic, social and cultural rights, as it enables them to publicly voice their message, which ultimately benefits the realization of the right(s) they strive to promote and protect, especially in the context of the ongoing dire economic crisis. This is all the more relevant for groups most at risk of violations and discrimination, such as women, youth, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons belonging to minority groups, groups at risk because of their sexual orientation and gender identity and non-nationals.
- 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
- Gender
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Women
- Youth
- Year
- 2013
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
Paragraph
Ability of associations to access financial resources as a vital part of the right to freedom of association & Ability to hold peaceful assemblies as an integral component of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly 2013, para. 69
- Paragraph text
- Possible issues for discussion include an estimate of the number of participants expected; itinerary of the assembly, if it is not static; specific needs of persons with disabilities and groups at risk, such as women, indigenous peoples and groups who, due to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity may be in need of greater protection by the authorities; need to deploy properly trained and clearly identified stewards whose role is to provide assistance to organizers by, inter alia, informing and orienting the public during the event, but who should not be used to palliate deficiencies in the security apparatus. Importantly, when organizers cannot be identified due to the nature of certain assemblies (such as those convened through the Internet), the authorities must undertake such planning and be prepared to the same extent.
- 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
- Ethnic minorities
- Persons with disabilities
- Women
- Year
- 2013
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
Paragraph
The Special Rapporteur's vision of the mandate 2017, para. 35
- Paragraph text
- 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
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
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
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
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. 61
- Paragraph text
- The right to freedom of association extends to cross-border or international collaboration between associations and their membership. Indeed, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples acknowledges the right of indigenous peoples divided by international borders to maintain and develop contacts, relations and cooperation, including activities for spiritual, cultural, political, economic and social purposes, with their own members as well as other peoples across borders (art. 36). That right can, however, be in tension with laws regulating cross-border activities such as immigration and trade. For example, pastoralist communities whose territories or means of livelihood straddle international borders often do not use formal border crossing points or possess the necessary administrative documentation such as passports. The Special Rapporteur is unconvinced that border control laws should automatically trump their ability to maintain their cultural lifestyles. He believes that States have an obligation to facilitate the free movement of such communities, including by adopting special measures recognizing cross-border movements in the context of transhumance.
- 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
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Ethnic minorities
- Year
- 2014
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
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
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
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
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
Paragraph
The exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the context of elections 2013, para. 45
- Paragraph text
- Although civil society organizations play an essential role during election time, freedom of association is, in many countries, restricted before, during and after elections. As noted by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, acts of intimidation against civic activists often start long before the beginning of election campaigns (A/HRC/13/22 para. 56). Restrictions placed on unregistered associations preventing them from taking part in activities related to the electoral process is one way of obstructing the work of independent voices. As the Special Rapporteur has stated in previous reports, the right to freedom of association applies equally to associations that are not registered (A/HRC/20/27, para. 56). Because of their marginalization, women, youth, minorities, indigenous groups or persons with disabilities may form or join unregistered associations for the advancement of their interests. States should play an active role in removing barriers that keep these marginalized and disempowered groups from participating in public life and exercising their rights in the context of elections. This is vital to ensure that their voices are heard and their causes taken into account in the policies of the next Government.
- 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
- Women
- Youth
- Year
- 2013
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
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
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
Paragraph
The exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the context of elections 2013, para. 15
- Paragraph text
- The significance of equal protection of the rights to peaceful assembly and association in the context of elections for everyone is heightened in the context of elections because of the potential for the exacerbation of vulnerabilities during this period. The Special Rapporteur notes the inclination of actors in the electoral contest to exploit racial, ethnic, religious, political, national or social origin, among other distinctions explicitly prohibited in article 2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, with a view to excluding opponents. He emphasizes that these rights are guaranteed for everyone on the basis of equality (A/HRC/20/27, para. 13), and that States therefore have the obligation to offer effective protection against discrimination. In the context of elections, any temporary measures designed to enhance the ability of marginalized groups or groups most at risk to exercise their rights, such as women, victims of discrimination because of their sexual orientation and gender identity, youth, persons belonging to minorities, indigenous peoples, non-nationals, including stateless persons, refugees or migrants, and members of religious groups, as well as activists advocating economic, social, and cultural rights, and used as a mechanism to level the playing field, do not constitute discrimination.
- 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 on the move
- Women
- Youth
- Year
- 2013
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
Paragraph
Best practices that promote and protect the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association 2012, para. 13
- Paragraph text
- Resolution 15/21 reaffirms that "everyone has the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association" (emphasis added). This provision must be read jointly with article 2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which stipulates that "each State Party undertakes to respect and to ensure to all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction the rights recognized in the Covenant, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status"(emphasis added)., and article 26 thereof, which guarantees to all individuals equal and effective protection against discrimination on grounds identified in article 2. This applies inter alia to minors, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons belonging to minority groups or other groups at risk, including those victims of discrimination because of their sexual orientation and gender identity (see Council resolution 17/19), non-nationals including stateless persons, refugees or migrants, as well as associations, including unregistered groups. The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association are key human rights in international human rights law, which are enshrined in article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- 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
- Children
- Ethnic minorities
- Persons on the move
- Year
- 2012
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
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
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
Paragraph
Fundamentalism and its impact on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association 2016, para. 60
- Paragraph text
- 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
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
Paragraph
The exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the workplace 2016, para. 102i
- Paragraph text
- [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
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
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
- Paragraph text
- [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:] Indigenous peoples are entitled, inter alia, to the right to participate fully in the political, economic, social and cultural life of the State, and to determine their own identity or membership in accordance with their customs and traditions.
- 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
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
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
- Paragraph text
- 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
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
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
- Paragraph text
- 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
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
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
- Paragraph text
- 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
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
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
- Paragraph text
- [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
- Date modified
- Feb 14, 2020
Paragraph
Fundamentalism and its impact on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association 2016, para. 73
- Paragraph text
- 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
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Best practices that promote and protect the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association 2012, para. 47
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur further considers as best practices training materials developed with a view to preventing discriminatory treatment and measures against women, minors, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, individuals and groups of individuals belonging to minorities and other marginalized groups (e.g. Mexico, Serbia, Slovenia and Spain).
- 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
- Persons with disabilities
- Women
- Year
- 2012
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
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:] 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
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Fundamentalism and its impact on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association 2016, para. 79
- Paragraph text
- 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
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Fundamentalism and its impact on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association 2016, para. 76
- Paragraph text
- 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
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
Fundamentalism and its impact on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association 2016, para. 74
- Paragraph text
- 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
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
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
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
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
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
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
- Paragraph text
- 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
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
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. 10
- Paragraph text
- As a starting point, the Special Rapporteur acknowledges that groups most at risk share the experience of discrimination, unequal treatment and harassment. He describes those groups based on their level of marginalization in the exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association. Some of the groups that are considered in the present report to be most at risk are persons with disabilities; youth, including children; women; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people; members of minority groups; indigenous peoples; internally displaced persons; and non-nationals, including refugees, asylum seekers and migrant workers.
- 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
- Youth
- Year
- 2014
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph
The exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the context of elections 2013, para. 38
- Paragraph text
- Political parties thus, have the freedom to choose and pursue ideologies, even if these are unpopular with the authorities or the public in general, including the ability to call for a boycott of elections, without fearing retaliation for doing so. The freedom of political parties to expression and opinion, particularly through electoral campaigns, including the right to seek, receive and impart information, is as such, essential to the integrity of elections. The Special Rapporteur recalls that, in its resolution 12/16, the Human Rights Council made clear that, in principle, no restriction is permissible with regard, inter alia, to: discussion of Government policies and political debate; reporting on human rights, Government activities and corruption in Government; engaging in election campaigns, peaceful demonstrations or political activities, including for peace or democracy; and expression of opinion and dissent, religion or belief, including by persons belonging to minorities or vulnerable groups. The Special Rapporteur emphasizes that, only when a political party or any of its candidates uses violence or advocates for violence or national, racial or religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence (art. 20, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, also reflected in art. 5 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination), or when it carries out activities or acts aimed at the destruction of the rights and freedoms enshrined in international human rights law (art. 5, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), can it be lawfully prohibited.
- 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
- 2013
- Date modified
- Feb 13, 2020
Paragraph