GENEVA – The Special Rapporteur on human rights in Belarus, Miklós Haraszti, has expressed dismay over the Government’s open return to the policy of violent mass repression against peaceful demonstrators, non-governmental organizations, journalists and political opponents, and is calling on the authorities of Belarus to stop harassment and violence. His statement was endorsed by Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai and a number of other UN experts. The crackdown on March 25 and 26 against dozens of human rights defenders, both local and… Continue reading →
جنيف (28 مارس/آذار 2017): إنّ خبراء حقوق الإنسان* يحثّون حكومة الإمارات العربيّة المتّحدة على الإفراج الفوريّ عن مناصر حقوق الإنسان البارز أحمد منصور الذي اعتقل الأسبوع الماضي. لقد قام رجال الأمن باعتقال السّيد منصور البالغ 47 عاما، متزوّج وأب لأربعة أطفال، في السّاعات الأولى من يوم 20 آذار/مارس بعد اقتحام… Continue reading →
GENEVA – United Nations rights experts are urging the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to immediately release the renowned human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor, who was arrested last week. Mr. Mansoor, who is 47 and married with four children, was taken away in the early hours of 20 March by security agents who broke into his home. His whereabouts remain unknown, and there is no information on whether any charges have been brought against him. “We regard Mr. Mansoor’s arrest and detention as a direct attack on the legitimate work… Continue reading →
Hearing theme: “Closing civic space and the threat to the future of global democracy” Date: Tuesday, March 21, 2017 Location: Washington, DC, United States of America The Honorable Co-chairs of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the US Congress, Ladies and Gentlemen: Thank you for inviting me to address this body on the subject of “closing space for civil society” – in other words, the increasingly restrictive and hostile environment that civil society faces throughout the world. I have served as the United Nations… Continue reading →
Issue No. 26 of the Assembly and Association Briefing, the newsletter of Maina Kiai, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association. In this issue: • Kiai visits Geneva for final Human Rights Council session as Rapporteur • UN rights expert: ‘Fundamental right to strike must be preserved’ • Bangladesh: stop enforced disappearances • 10 Principles civil society guide: Advocate for better management of assemblies • Letter from the Rapporteur: Our fight isn’t just about closing… Continue reading →
