TESTIMONIES: VICTIMS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES SPEAK UP ABOUT THE NEED FOR RECOGNITION AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO PUT AN END TO THE REPRESSION AGAINST PROTESTERS AND ACTIVISTS
UN Special Rapporteur Clément N. Voule, presented his latest report at UNHRC53 on the importance of advancing accountability to break the cycle of repression against protesters and activists. He asked victims of repression, lawyers and civil society members to share their views on the importance of robust and timely accountability to repair the harm done and end the cycle of repression against them.
Viictoria Ibezim Ohaerri from Spaces for Change in Nigeria highlights the need for an assurance of non-repetition of repression of protesters to advance accountability. She adds that advancing accountability requires the removal of legal regulatory hindrances that hinder civic space and an uncompromised judicial system, free from political interference.
Amina Masood Janjua, a victim of enforced disappearance and Chairperson of Defence of Human Rights NGO in Pakistan talks about the misuse of anti-terrorism laws to restrict the rights to peaceful assembly and of association in her country, and emphasises the importance of including victims, alongside States and international mechanisms to advance accountability and ensure proportionate reparations.
Camila Zuluaga Hoyos from Comission Colombiana de Juristas explains how during the 2021 National Strike in Colombia perpetrators of crimes against protesters were tried in miitary courts, shielding them from prosecution for human rights violations., hence hindering the achievement of justice and accountability.
Daniel Holder from CAJ in Northern Ireland explains how implementing human rights compliant mechanisms and processes has been beneficial in advancing accountability and promoting stability in Northern Ireland, and how they are needed to guarantee trust in the rule of law, ensure accountability and promote peace.
Florencia Reggiardo from Centro por la Justicia y el Derecho Internacional details the need for unified protocols to regulate the use of force in the context of policing protests, to ensure accountability of perpetrators of crimes and to ensure the non-repetition of violent repression of protests in South America.
Marta Cisterna Flores from Casa Memoria / Fundación 1367 in Chile talks about the endemic impunity in her country which has contributed to ongoing cycles of repression against protesters and activists. She explains how when State authorities condone the use of force by law enforcement, this contributes to repetition and worsening of repression resulting in a chilling effect for protesters.
Ruki Fernando from the Centre for Society and Religion in Sri Lanka talks about the violent repression of protests in Sri Lanka in 2022, raising concern regarding the impunity of perpetrators of crimes against protesters and the prosecution and criminalization of protesters. He highlights prosecution of perpetrators, sanctions and acknowledgement of crimes as essential components of accountability.
“The role of victims throughout the full accountability process is central to keep the memory alive”, explains Calila Gomes from Terra de Direitos in Brazil, who has actively been involved with the Landless Workers Movement.
The message is clear to UNSR Clément Voule who states that “only if robust and timely accountability is put at the centre of States’ and international community efforts to protect and promote these rights, will peaceful and inclusive societies prevail.”