Civic Space and Sustainable peace_Report Cover

CIVIC SPACE AND SUSTAINABLE PEACE

In the present report, to be presented at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Clément Nyaletsossi Voule explores the importance of protecting, promoting and enabling the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association during peace-making and transition processes, and underlines that the free and unhindered enjoyment of these rights is critical for facilitating meaningful inclusion and participation.

To foster peace and prevent the escalation of conflicts, the world needs to view civil society not as an obstacle but as an integral and indispensable partner in all stages of peace agreements”

This is vital for building a resilient, inclusive and just society, contributing to, and ultimately achieving the advancement of sustainable peace and democratic transition. As such, the report argues, that the promotion and protection of these rights should be central to all national, regional, and international conflict-prevention, peace-making, peace-building and democratic transition efforts.

The report further explores the enormous contributions made by civil society, activists and social movements, including women human rights defenders and women peacebuilders, in conflict prevention, in ending conflicts and in ensuring just and human rights-respecting peace and democratic transition agreements.  

Finally, the report provides recommendations to States, de-factor authorities, the United Nations and the international community in ensuring meaningful and equal inclusion in peace and transition processes.

Read the full report (A/78/246) in all UN languages here

Published by