Background

The Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity, pursuant to resolution 53/5 of the Human Rights Council, calls on civil society organisations, National Human Rights Institutions, and other interested parties to contribute to her next report to the 56th session of the Human Rights Council in 2024 on the participation of civil society organisations pursuing expressions of international solidarity through transnational, international, and regional networks.

In his 2021 report, Our Common Agenda, the UN Secretary General envisioned a 21st century multilateralism built on networks between global and regional institutions, as well as civil society actors, businesses, academia, and others, pursuing a deeper commitment to solidarity. Civil society organizations seek to express international solidarity claims through regional, transnational, international solidarity networks but are increasingly facing challenges. Such expressions have addressed accountability for violations of women’s rights, the need for assistance in relation to climate change or natural disasters, the call for protection of civilians in armed conflict and peace, demand for equality in worker’s rights, recognition of indigenous territorial claims infringed by extractive industries, request for equal access to vaccines and medical assistance in health emergencies, and support for the rights of migrants, refugees, and minorities. 

Increasingly, these expressions of international solidarity are made vulnerable due to restrictions and limitations in law and policy.

International solidarity is a fundamental freedom and right as it is related to action, linked to freedom of expression, conscience, association, and assembly in a transnational context. Individuals, communities, and groups are often reliant on equitable access to transnational forms of expression in order to network and participate in international solidarity actions.

The Independent Expert wishes to engage with States, international and regional organizations, as well as civil society and relevant stakeholders to provide insights on how to promote and protect the participation of civil society in expressing international solidarity related to human rights, fundamental freedoms, sustainable development, and peace.

The Independent Expert welcomes as much information as possible including concrete examples relating to the issues highlighted in the questionnaire with the link below in English French and Spanish.

Questions for Civil Society Organizations and other Stakeholders:

1. Has your organization expressed international solidarity issues through cross border local, transnational, international, or regional solidarity networks? 
2. To what extent and how are your international solidarity actions inclusive of diverse or intersectional perspectives and participation?
3. Which media, digital, or other platforms do you use?  Are you limited in access to these platforms?
4. Please share information on any laws, policies, or other type of initiatives in your country that facilitate international solidarity expressions across borders.
5. Please share information on any laws, policies or other measures in your country that restricts international solidarity engagements across borders. Has your organization experienced cases of reprisals/penalization (including surveillance, defunding, intimidation, reprisal, closure, prosecution, punishment, restriction of right to leave or enter a country, or subject to an attack) on account of pursing international solidarity expressions?
6. Is some form of assistance (for example, funding or legal aid) made available to your organization when pursuing international expressions of international solidarity issues?
7. To what extent does your organization enjoy the right to communicate international solidarity across borders for the promotion of human rights, without discrimination of its members on grounds such as ethnicity, race, gender, age, political opinion, nationality, religion, disability, migrant status, LGBTQ status, etc.?
8. To what extent are student groups in schools or universities able to engage in international solidarity expressions without penalization or surveillance?
9. Which measures could facilitate your organization to engage more with States, regional, and international organizations (including the UN) to better express international solidarity?
10. Recommendations to the Independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity on supporting civil society in the expression of international solidarity.

How inputs will be used

Submissions may be posted on the mandate’s website. Should you wish to maintain confidentiality of your submission, kindly clearly indicate it at the moment of submission.

For more on information on the Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity and the activities of the mandate please click here: Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity | OHCHR