Rights to peaceful assembly and association need greater protection – UN expert
“It is astonishing how key29696 often States have key29698 encroached upon the right of individuals to assemble peacefully by also violating their rights to life and to be free from torture, rights key29699 which allow no limitation,” the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly key29693 and key29690 of association, Maina Kiai, said in a news release.
Presenting his annual report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Mr. Kiai stressed that the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association are essential components of democracy.
“States should protect the rights of all individuals, including persons espousing minority or dissenting views or beliefs, human rights defenders, trade unionists or even migrants, key29686 to assemble peacefully and associate freely,” key29694 he said.
Mr. Kiai stated that the key29689 events that have occurred in numerous Arab countries since December 2010 have proved how these rights are important for people to express their aspirations key29687 and to influence policy decision-makers. Freedom to peacefully assemble and associate is to be considered the rule and limitations the
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A vital part of the right to freedom of association, the expert noted, is the ability of associations to access funding.
“Without the ability to access funding, from sources local, regional or international, this right becomes void,” key29700 Mr. Kiai stated.
He pointed out that some States have clamped down on use of the Internet, particularly social media, and other information and communication technology, to deter or prevent individuals from exercising their right to organize peaceful assemblies.
Among his recommendations, key29688 the Special Rapporteur calls on states to key29695 ensure that the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association are enjoyed by everyone, including women, youth, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, minorities or groups at risk.
No one should be criminalized for exercising the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, or be key29697 subjected to threats or acts of violence, harassment, persecution, intimidation or key29691 reprisals, he added.
Mr. Kiai, a key29692 human rights advocate from Kenya, works in an independent and unpaid capacity for the Human Rights Council, which appoints independent experts, or special rapporteurs, to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme.