PRETORIA, South Africa/ISTANBUL, Turkey – Special Rapporteurs Maina Kiai and Christof Heyns held two expert consultations in August as part of their joint project to develop practical recommendations for the proper management of assemblies, as requested by the Human Rights Council in resolution 25/38. The first was held in Pretoria on August 7, and brought together 25 experts from Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and the Middle East. The meeting was hosted by Christof Heyns, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, with Maina Kiai, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, represented by his research team. Participants focused in particular on the use of force in the management of assemblies, and the importance of protecting the lives and bodily integrity of participants and others. They noted the importance of proper training, equipment, and protocols for law enforcement officers, and the need for measures to ensure the appropriate use of “less-lethal” weapons. The second was hosted jointly by the Rapporteurs, and was held in Istanbul, Turkey, which co-sponsored resolution 25/38. It was attended by 23 experts from across the Asia-Pacific region. Experts emphasized that the recommendations should focus on facilitation... Continue reading →
