UN Censures 42 Nations for Retaliating Against Human Rights Activists & Journalists — Global Issues
LIEN QUAN, OCTOBER 10 (IPS) – The United Nations has singled out 42 countries (out of 193 member states) for condemnation – virtually blacklisting them – for retaliation against human rights activists. rights and journalists
If you cooperate with the United Nations and complain about human rights abuses in your home country, chances are you will be jailed, arrested, tortured or under government surveillance.
42 countries include some of the world’s worst dictatorships with a reputation for widespread human rights abuses.
Highlighting a number of “disturbing trends” over the past year, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ annual report details how people – mainly victims of human rights abuses, protect human rights defenders and journalists – subject to reprisals and threats by States and non-State actors.
This includes people who are in custody, targeted by restrictive legislation, and surveyed both online and offline. Those who try to cooperate with the UN, or are believed to be doing so, are also affected.
In one-third of the countries included in the report, individuals and groups, including civil society organizations (CSOs), either refused to cooperate or only agreed to report their cases informally. anonymously for fear of reprisal. “Despite positive developments, including Member States’ joint commitments and commitments against retaliation, this report shows the extent to which people are being pursued and persecuted. for raising human rights concerns with the UN”.
“And we know that, shockingly, many cases of retaliation go unreported,” said Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris.
The 42 countries covered in the report (covering the period from 1 May 2021 to 30 April 2022) include Afghanistan, Andorra, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Burundi, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Maldives, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Philippines, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, State of Palestine, Thailand, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Vietnam and Yemen.
Dr. Simon Adams, President and CEO of the Center for Victims of Torture, the largest international organization that treats survivors and advocates for an end to torture worldwide, told IPS. that the United Nations is a just humanitarian organization dedicated to the advancement of humanity.
“When some countries or armed groups consider civil society activists or journalists to speak before the United Nations as a threat to their interests, they are violating their ‘belief in the human rights’. basic human rights’ that the Charter of the United Nations is proud to include,” he said.
“We are peoples who, anywhere in the world, have the right to speak directly to the representatives of the United Nations without some diabolical agency leaning on our shoulders,” he said. knocking on our phones or threatening us with detention or disappearing.
Dr. Adams stated: “Human rights defenders in the countries mentioned in the UN Secretary-General’s report not only deserve our respect and solidarity, but they also need to be protected.
When Secretary General Antonio Guterres last week congratulated Ales Bialiatski and the Memorial organizations and the Center for Civil Liberties on being awarded the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, he said this year’s recognition illuminates the strength of civil society ahead peace.?
“Civil society groups (CSOs) are the oxygen of democracy, and a catalyst for peace, social progress, and economic growth. They help keep governments accountable and bring the voices of vulnerable people into the halls of power.” ? Today, however, the citizenship space is shrinking worldwide, the Secretary-General warned. ?
“Human rights defenders, women’s rights advocates, environmental activists, journalists and others face arbitrary arrests, harsh prison sentences, political campaigns. libel, disability fines and violent attacks,” he stated.
“As we congratulate this year’s winners, let us pledge to defend the brave defenders of the universal values of peace, hope and dignity,” said Guterres.
Meanwhile, in response to the decision of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to establish an independent monitoring mechanism on the human rights situation in Russia, Agnès Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International economy, said her organization welcomed the final decision to bring human rights to Russia. Recorded under supervision.
Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, she points out, “the country has seen its political opposition crushed, NGOs and grassroots activists outlawed. , independent media shut down and entire civil society burned down.”
“Russia’s unlawful aggression in Ukraine could not be a clearer demonstration of Vladimir Putin’s longstanding disregard for life and human rights.”
Callamard said the establishment of this important mechanism will be a lasting relief for civil society in Russia, independent media and many other organizations that stand up to repression.
“We call on all states to support the expeditious establishment of this monitoring and reporting mandate, and to fully support victims of human rights and humanitarian abuses committed by national authorities. perform”.
“We urge the Russian authorities to heed the clear message sent by the Human Rights Council in establishing this mechanism and make fundamental changes to end its violations in the country,” she said. domestically and internationally.
Providing an update on the military regime in Myanmar, United Nations Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters October 6 that according to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) At least 170 journalists have been arrested since the military took over in Myanmar in February. five.
Nearly 70 journalists, including 12 women, remain in custody. UNESCO has also documented more than 200 cases of media suppression, including murder, arrest, detention, criminal cases, imprisonment and newsroom raids.
Forty-four journalists, including seven women, have been convicted by local courts of criminal offenses, he said. In addition, communications workers report that they experience digital surveillance of cell phones and social media platforms. UNESCO remains committed to protecting and defending its freedom of the press.
Meanwhile, the UN report said surveillance of individuals and groups working with the UN continues to be reported in all regions with growing evidence of attacks and online surveillance. The massive digital shift spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic also increases challenges related to cybersecurity, privacy, and access to online spaces. Another global trend concerns the use and impact of restrictive laws that prevent and punish cooperation with the UN, resulting in some cases of people being sentenced to long prison terms or house arrest. There have been repeated and similar intimidation allegations reported in several countries, which may indicate a pattern. Another global trend is self-censorship, choosing not to cooperate with the UN or remain anonymous amid concerns about their safety. According to the report, increasing surveillance and surveillance, as well as fear of criminal liability, have created what the report calls the “chilling effect” of silence, preventing people from being more cooperative. with the UN and prevent others from doing so, according to the report. As in previous years, the report found that intimidation and retaliation disproportionately affected certain populations and groups, including representatives of indigenous peoples, minorities or those working in environmental issues and climate change, as well as who may be discriminated against on the basis of age and sex. orientation and gender. “The risks to women victims, as well as women’s human rights defenders and peacemakers, who share testimonies and cooperate with the UN, remain challenging. We will continue to work to ensure that all can safely engage with the UN,” emphasized Brands Kehris as she presented the report to the Human Rights Council in Geneva. The report, titled ‘Cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights’ (A/HRC/51/47), includes extensive annexes detailing the case by country, can be accessed online.
Report of the United Nations Office IPS
By @IPSNewsUNBureau
Follow IPS News UN Office on Instagram
© Inter Press Service (2022) – All rights reservedOrigin: Inter Press Service
