UN HRC53: Statement on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly
Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on rights to freedom of peaceful assembly & of association. Delivered by UK's Ambassador to WTO & UN, Simon Manley.
Thank you, Mr President,
Special Rapporteur, let me welcome your recent report. Freedoms of peaceful assembly and association are central to the effective functioning of society, providing a platform for citizens to advocate for positive change. Yet these freedoms are under severe threat across the globe.
In Hong Kong, individuals have been convicted for promoting and participating in peaceful assembly, including publisher Jimmy Lai and barrister Chow Hang-Tung. Earlier this month, those seeking to commemorate the Tiananmen Square Massacre in Victoria Park were held by police and prevented from marking the anniversary.
In Russia, Vladimir Kara-Murza faces an extraordinary 25 years in prison as a result of the support he has shown Russian political prisoners and for his peaceful participation in civil society.
Special Rapporteur, we share your concerns about the gaps in accountability for serious human rights violations committed against peaceful activists and protestors. Impunity for such crimes must end.
Special Rapporteur,
How can we improve monitoring mechanisms for human rights violations against peaceful protestors, in order to better facilitate justice and accountability?