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The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association are among the most fundamental human rights in international law. Today, however, they are increasingly under assault by repressive governments.
From the Global North to the Global South, States are harassing activists, spying on their citizens, breaking up protests, erecting legal obstacles for civil society organizations, and generally closing off civic space.
In October 2014, UN Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai launched a new project designed to combat this trend in a different way: Through the use of strategic litigation, particularly litigation that emphasizes international law in attempting to protect civic space.
On Oct. 16-17, the Special Rapporteur invited lawyers from all over the world to discuss how to move the project forward. This video (also embedded below) provides an overview of the Special Rapporteur’s new project, the workshop, and the ideas of the nearly 20 lawyers from 11 countries who participated.
The primary aim of the project is to provide technical assistance and advisory services for public interest litigation on assembly and association issues, with a view to increasing such litigation and encouraging the application of international law norms at the domestic level. The Special Rapporteur also plans to submit amicus briefs in a handful of relevant cases, where he can highlight international norms and principles. The project is worldwide in scope.
The Special Rapporteur is still seeking lawyers with whom his mandate can partner up. If you or anyone you know are interested, please drop us a line at info@freeassembly.net
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