On September 27, 2012, the UN Human Rights Council adopted an important resolution that will help bring protections for the freedoms of peaceful assembly and of association into the 21st century. The resolution on “the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association” (A/HRC/RES/21/16) reiterates “the important role of new information and communications technologies in enabling and facilitating the enjoyment of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.” It also stresses the importance of States promoting and… Continue reading →
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai, today condemned the violence that has been taking place on the streets of numerous cities across the world in response to an anti-Islamic film, warning that protest demonstrations and rallies must be peaceful in order to be protected by international human rights law. “The right of peaceful assembly must not serve as an excuse to commit violence,” Mr. Kiai stressed. “Expressing views or discontent is necessary, while safeguarding… Continue reading →
“It is time for the Bahraini authorities to comply with the rights to peaceful assembly and expression and immediately release those arbitrarily detained for exercising their legitimate freedoms,” a group of United Nations human rights experts said today, calling for the prompt release of prominent human rights defender Nabeel Rajab, who was recently sentenced to three years imprisonment. The call comes amidst serious concerns about the ongoing campaign of persecution of human rights defenders in Bahrain. Mr. Rajab was convicted on three charges… Continue reading →
On August 12, 2012, Maina Kiai participated in a discussion panel sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, DC, entitled “Understanding and Responding to Attacks on Civil Society: The Roles of Politics and Law.” The panel also featured Nilda Bullain (International Center for Not-for-Profit Law), Carl Gershman (National Endowment for Democracy) and Kent Hughes (Public Policy Scholar, former director Program on America and the Global Economy). The panel is available via YouTube… Continue reading →
Maina Kiai and two other United Nations experts have urged the State Duma not to adopt legislative amendments that can adversely impact civil society in Russia. The Special Rapporteurs on freedom of association, human rights defenders and freedom of expression warned that the draft law, if approved, would brand as ‘foreign agents’ all foreign-funded non-commercial organizations (NCOs) engaging in political activities, and impose harsh penalties for non-compliance with the new requirements. “These amendments constitute a direct affront to those… Continue reading →
