Comprehensive responses to acts of intimidation and reprisals in the field of human rights
Ghana, Hungary, Ireland and Uruguay in cooperation with ISHR invite you to a panel discussion about current situations, existing practices and new ideas for better implementation of Human Rights Council resolutions on preventing and responding to reprisals.
Monday, 26 September, 2016, 1.00 -3.00 pm
Room XXIII, Palais des Nations
Panelists
• Ms Peggy Hicks, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
• Mr Alessio Bruni, Rapporteur on reprisals of the Committee Against Torture
• H.E. Ms Yvette Stevens, Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the UN
• Ms Maryam Al-Khawaja, Co-director of Gulf Center for Human Rights
• Mr Philip Lynch, Director of International Service for Human Rights
Moderator
• H.E. Ms Zsuzsanna Horváth, Permanent Representative of Hungary to the UN
Follow the event on Twitter: #EndReprisals @ISHRglobal and watch the event live at: www.ishr.ch/webcast
Big thanks to the permanent missions to the UN of Ghana, Hungary, Ireland and Uruguay for sponsoring this event.
Through Resolution 16/21 the HRC strongly rejected any act of intimidation and reprisal against individuals and groups who seek to cooperate, are cooperating or have cooperated with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights and urged States to prevent and ensure adequate protection against such acts. The engagement of civil society in general and human rights defenders in particular is also essential to the work of the United Nations human rights system.
This event will provide an occasion for reviewing the tools and processes which have been introduced in this respect. The aim is to share the experiences of governments, international organizations and civil society representatives on the functioning of protection mechanisms currently in place against acts of intimidation and reprisal targeting individuals and groups seeking to cooperate, cooperating or have cooperated with the United Nations in the field of human rights. Acts of intimidation and reprisal are violations of basic human rights and while impunity for intimidation and reprisals continue, the effective functioning of the UN system as a whole is undermined. Although there have been some positive developments recently, acts of intimidation or reprisals continue to occur frequently, which leads to the conclusion that the present system is not adequate. While positive steps deserve to be presented, the deteriorating situation on the ground demands an open discussion on how a much more effective, coordinated and systematic response to reprisals can be found in order to end impunity for all acts of intimidation and reprisal, no matter who perpetrate them. The panel discussion will elaborate on the different views and proposals, and articulate a comprehensive response.
Photo: Jaskirat Singh Bawa