ID SR on Right to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association - PR UN, WTO and other organisations Geneva

ID SR on Right to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association

News item | 28-06-2024 | 15:08

Joint Statement on the positive impact of HRDs (led by Belgium, Luxembourg and the Kingdom of the Netherlands) on behalf of a cross-regional group of 71 countries

Chair, I deliver this statement on behalf of a cross-regional group of 71 countries.

Human rights defenders are leaders of positive change. Their work is crucial in promoting and protecting human rights and democracy worldwide. Their grassroot views inform decision making and enable UN entities to effectively implement their mandates.

An enabling environment for human rights defenders that guarantees the fulfilment of the freedoms of peaceful assembly, association, opinion and expression is essential in driving positive change. In practice, however, HRDs face numerous challenges and their work is too often neglected, ignored or willfully obstructed. Their progress and achievements are too rarely honoured properly.

This statement is meant to pay tribute to the many successes and milestones achieved by all human rights defenders.

Through their persistent peaceful advocacy and engagement, HRDs have shed light on human rights violations, amplified the voices of persons in vulnerable situations, and fostered greater accountability and transparency worldwide. Their work has led to positive legislative changes, the release of those arbitrarily detained, and protected the environment.

The voices of HRDs must be heard. Emphasizing their positive impact and honouring their successes is essential in supporting them.

[Special Rapporteur, how do you envision to include the effective promotion and protection of human rights defenders within your mandate?]

Signatories:

  1. Afghanistan
  2. Albania
  3. Andorra
  4. Armenia
  5. Australia
  6. Austria
  7. Belgium
  8. Bosnia and Herzegovina
  9. Bulgaria
  10. Brazil
  11. Cabo Verde
  12. Canada
  13. Chile
  14. Colombia
  15. Costa Rica
  16. Croatia
  17. Cyprus
  18. Czech Republic
  19. Denmark
  20. Dominican Republic
  21. Ecuador
  22. Estonia
  23. Finland
  24. France
  25. Gambia
  26. Ghana
  27. Georgia
  28. Germany
  29. Greece
  30. Guatemala
  31. Hungary
  32. Iceland
  33. Italy
  34. Ireland
  35. Japan
  36. Kazakhstan
  37. Kenya
  38. Latvia
  39. Liechtenstein
  40. Lithuania
  41. Luxembourg
  42. Maldives
  43. Malta
  44. Marshall Islands
  45. Mexico
  46. Moldova
  47. Monaco
  48. Mongolia
  49. Montenegro
  50. Mozambique
  51. Netherlands
  52. New Zealand
  53. North Macedonia
  54. Norway
  55. Paraguay
  56. Poland
  57. Portugal
  58. Philippines
  59. Republic of Korea
  60. Romania
  61. Sierra Leone
  62. Slovakia
  63. Slovenia
  64. South Africa
  65. Spain
  66. Sweden
  67. Switzerland
  68. Ukraine
  69. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  70. United States of America
  71. Uruguay