GENEVA \u2013 As the United Nation\u2019s Human Rights Council prepares to debate a draft motion on social protest, human rights organizations from around the world have joined their voices to call on the UN to provide meaningful protection for this essential democratic right.<\/p>\n
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On March 7, a letter <\/a>signed by nine national organizations spanning five continents was sent to the Member States of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Democracies must welcome diverse forms of public participation.\u00a0 Such activities must be actively facilitated by states if they are to comply with their obligations to protect, respect and fulfill international human rights.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The signatory organizations welcome the renewed and increased attention to freedom of peaceful assembly and the protection of human rights, including freedom of association, expression and opinion, in the broader context of social protest. As domestically-focused actors with decades of experience monitoring policing and protest, we have seen first hand the diverse and multiple facets of the right to peaceful assembly and rights within the context of social protest more broadly.\u00a0 Although our individual domestic experiences stem from diverse political contexts and legal systems, we are united by our conviction that public protest is an essential component of any vibrant democracy. We are also united by our concern for the protection of this fundamental right.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The draft resolution, \u201cThe promotion and protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protests\u201d, is being debated in Geneva and is scheduled for adoption at the 22nd Session of the Human Rights Council. The civil society organizations that have signed the letter are:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read the letter in full<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" GENEVA \u2013 As the United Nation\u2019s Human Rights Council prepares to debate a draft motion on social protest, human rights … Read more\n