The Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association presented her first report to the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (A/79/263). This report highlights the serious impacts of negative and stigmatizing narratives towards civil society and activists, which limit the exercise of fundamental rights. In particular, the report addresses how these narratives, often driven by state and non-state actors, perpetuate undue restrictions, foster discrimination and increase repression against human rights defenders.
Based on global consultations, the report offers recommendations to counter these narratives, including the need to create normative frameworks that ensure an enabling environment for civic engagement and peaceful protest. The Rapporteur emphasizes the urgency of changing these narratives to protect democracy and foster an inclusive and safe civic space.
We invite you to read the full report to learn more about her findings and proposals here.
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