10 years protecting civic space worldwide
Since its establishment 10 years ago, the mandate has been instrumental in upholding and promoting the right to peaceful Assembly and Association globally, as well as protecting and expanding the space for civil society action.
KEY AREAS OF WORK AND PROGRESS
EXPANDED PROTECTION OF FOAA RIGHTS
The work of the Special Rapporteur contributed to articulate, reinforce and expand international norms that protect the rights to peaceful assembly and association and promote best practices. The mandate redefined and clarified the concept of the right to peaceful assembly and association in close collaboration with civil society. It reaffirmed the universal nature of these rights and emphasized its applicability to all people, including the most marginalized, and extended its reach into the digital sphere. The mandate also contributed to the definition of progressive standards for the protection of FOAA rights and established a limited list of permissible exceptions to the exercise of them. As a result, we have now a more robust international legal framework to protect these freedoms.
BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF FOAA CHALLENGES
The work of the mandate has been key in developing a better understanding among the international community regarding closing of space for civil society and the global challenges faced. It was able to emphasize the direct connection between the suppression of these fundamental freedoms and the emergence of major global problems, such as poverty, inequality and conflict.
MORE DIALOGUE AND SUPPORT AT THE UNITED NATIONS
At the United Nations, many actors have engaged in a constructive dialogue with the mandate holders and supported their work over the past decade . This work resulted in the Council’s adoption of important resolutions addressing civil society and peaceful protests. It also contributed to the Human Rights Committee’s current efforts in developing a general comment on article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
NEW ALLIES IN THE BUSINESS AND DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
Throughout these 10 years, the mandate holders have demonstrated that supporting the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association ultimately serves many purposes, including advancing development objectives, moving societies towards freedom and equality, and achieving and upholding peace. As a result, more actors in the business and development communities are recognizing their shared interest in advocating for and protecting these rights.
IMPROVED DOMESTIC IMPLEMENTATION
The work of the Special Rapporteur also impacted domestic laws, decisions and policies. Decisions adopted by the High Court of South Africa, the Supreme Court of Mexico, the Parliament of Georgia and the Governments of the United Kingdom, Tunisia and Ecuador are highlighted in the Special Rapporteur’s report as examples of the positive impact of country engagement by the mandate holders.
A GLOBAL MOVEMENT
One of the most significant results of the work of the Special Rapporteur was the building of a global movement to promote an enabling environment for the enjoyment of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. We now have vibrant coalitions of civil society actors and government allies seeking to protect these fundamental freedoms. This has resulted in a movement with a shared vision of the necessary changes and the strategies needed to ensure these rights can be fully enjoyed by everyone.
None of these achievements would have been possible without the mandate’s many collaborators: civil society around the world, a core group of governments within the Human Rights Council that helped finance some of the Special Rapporteur’s activities, as well as institutional partners and donors.”
Clement N. Voule
LOOKING AHEAD
Looking ahead, the UNSR Voule believes it is essential to move forward towards a more vigorous and coordinated agenda to protect the rights to peaceful assembly and association across the world. The mandate’s ambition is to carry on with an even more effective and coordinated effort, particularly in the wake of the global pandemic.
In collaboration with States, international and regional organizations, civil society and other stakeholders, the mandate will continue to defend these essential freedoms and to expand and protect the space for civil society.
Learn more about the impact of the work of UNSR FOAA in the 2020 Human Rights Council Report.