The global scale of the crackdown on civil society and human rights defenders was one of the key issues during the Human Rights Council's General Debate on situations requiring its attention. A range of statements by States and civil society urged to put an end to the attacks and harassment against human rights defenders and to refrain from imposing illegitimate restrictions that severely affect their work.
This week the Human Rights Council discussed country-specific situations that require special attention. The Commissions of Inquiry on Burundi, Syria, and South Sudan as well as the Special Rapporteurs on Iran, Myanmar, DPRK (North Korea), and Eritrea presented their reports highlighting continuing and systematic human rights abuses in those countries. During the interactive dialogues with the mandate holders, an overwhelming majority of States expressed deep concern over these grave human rights situations, urging the concerned States to immediately implement the findings and recommendations of the mandate holders and to cooperate with the UN mechanisms and OHCHR. Nonetheless, a group of States rejected country-specific mechanisms as a violation of sovereignty.
During the General Debate, other human rights situations of concern were raised. Several States and a number of NGOs expressed their concern about human rights defenders being targeted by States and non-State actors around the world. A disturbing number of restrictions against civil society and human rights defenders in Bahrain, China, Egypt, Russia, and Venezuela were underscored. Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States were some of the States and regions that called on the concerned States to ensure space for civil society and human rights defenders. Last week, the High Commissioner condemned the crackdown and attacks on civil society and human rights defenders in these countries as well.
Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States, among others, pointed to the situation of activists in China and expressed alarm over restrictions to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and the increasing number of arbitrary detentions of human rights defenders. The cases of Jiang Tianyong, Xie Yang, Tashi Wangchuk and Wu Gan were directly quoted and China received calls for the immediate release of all human rights defenders. Canada stated that the ‘ongoing and new detention and sentencing of lawyers and human rights defenders in countries such as China create an environment of impunity.’ ISHR delivered a statement urging China to amend its laws, investigate torture and release detained defenders
Denmark, the Czech Republic, Switzerland expressed concern over the situation of human rights defenders and the political opposition in Bahrain. Switzerland considered that everyone who exercises their right to freedom of expression is exposed and called the State to release all those that have been arbitrarily detained, including human rights defenders. Civil society organisations have urged the Council to address the deteriorating situation in the country.
Several States as well as the European Union expressed alarm regarding repressive legislation in Russia, particularly the Foreign Agents Law that has led to several convictions and imprisonment of human rights defenders and their family members. The Czech Republic considered that the stigmatisation of the country’s oldest human rights organisation, Memorial International Society, as a ‘foreign agent’ is another decimating blow against independent civic voices. Germany encouraged Russia to ensure that restrictions on the freedoms of association and assembly are applied in strict adherence with international human rights standards.
The European Union and the United Kingdom, among others, expressed concern over restrictions and repression against civil society organisations in Egypt and called the State to ensure a safe and enabling environment for civil society organisations. France, the United States and the Czech Republic expressed concern over the situation of human rights defenders and political activists in Venezuela.
The statements made by the concerned States during the right to reply further highlight that the activities of defenders are being criminalised or severely restricted under the pretext that they disrupt social stability. Bahrain stressed that human rights defenders’ rights are guaranteed but that they should not engaged in acts that are politicised. China asserted that being lawyer is not an emulator of immunity and that those who commit crimes will be prosecuted.
Photo: Wikipedia Commons
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