Statement at the UN Human Rights Council's 60th Session
Interactive Dialogue on UN Secretary General's report on cooperation with the United Nations
Delivered by Sigrid Lipott
Thank you, Mr President.
CIVICUS welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on cooperation with the UN.
In a context of closing space for civil society in all world regions - as documented by the CIVICUS Monitor - activists, human rights defenders, civil society organisations and ordinary citizens engaging with UN processes continue to face serious threats and reprisals by both States and non-State actors. Reprisals and retaliation against civil society who engage with the UN are often left without prompt, adequate and effective response from States and the UN system itself.
Alongside grave human rights violations, reprisals often include targeted restrictions to the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, online and offline surveillance, smear campaigns, travel bans, and visa denials, as well as other mobility restrictions intended to hinder or prevent cooperation with the UN and other international and regional bodies.
All acts of reprisal should be considered as severe signs of civic space deterioration, on which the Council should promptly in the context of its prevention mandate. There is also an urgent need to further address monitoring and reporting responsibilities in relation to allegations of acts of intimidation, harassment or reprisal and to establish a dedicated system-wide mechanism to address violations at the global level.
We urge States to take all steps necessary to prevent all forms of reprisals and intimidation against civil society actors, including arbitrary detention, carried out by States and actors under their effective control outside their own jurisdiction, to investigate any such alleged acts, and to ensure access to justice and accountability.
Safeguarding civil society engagement within the Council and across the UN also requires a zero-tolerance policy on reprisals. Preventative and corrective measures must be established for states that consistently appear in the Secretary General’s report, particularly Council members and States seeking election to the Council.
We thank you.
