States must protect the rights to peaceful assembly for just, inclusive and sustainable peace: UN expert

NEW YORK (13 October 2023) – States must enable and protect the rights to peaceful assembly and of association in peacebuilding and transition contexts, as these rights are crucial to ensuring a just, inclusive and sustainable peace, and democratic transitions, a UN expert said today.

“States and international actors need to stop viewing civil society and social movements as an obstacle, rather as an integral and indispensable partner throughout peace-making and democratic transition processes,” said Clément Voule, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, who presented his report to the General Assembly today.

Voule stressed the critical role of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in fostering the meaningful inclusion and participation of civil society, marginalised communities, affected groups, and victims in peacebuilding and democratic transition processes. “This inclusive approach is vital for ensuring local ownership and for constructing a resilient, just, and equitable society,” the expert said. “The promotion and protection of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association should be central to all national, regional and international peace-making and peacebuilding efforts,” Voule said.

“Civil society, rights-promoting social movements, including women human rights defenders and women peacebuilders, have been vital contributors to conflict prevention, peace negotiations, peacebuilding initiatives, and democratic transition processes. They are often the drivers for change, equality and justice during times of transitions,” the expert said.

However, civil society continues to face significant structural, social and safety barriers restricting their effective participation in peace and transition processes.

Voule condemned the stigmatisation, undue legal restrictions, structural barriers, as well as the intimidation and attacks against activists and protesters, aiming at side-lining and silencing civil society voices. Civil society actors calling for accountability, human rights and equality have been particularly targeted and repressed in transition contexts. He warned that this often leads to self-censorship and withdrawal of civil society altogether from public participation.

“States and policymakers should refrain from sidelining civil society and holding peace and transition negotiations behind closed doors. Instead, they should create opportunities to guarantee meaningful inclusion of civil society, in all stages of peacebuilding and transition, with equal representation of marginalised groups,” the Special Rapporteur said.

“De-facto authorities must fully respect and protect international human rights law, international humanitarian law and the humanitarian principles, including with respect to the exercise of these fundamental freedoms,” Voule said.

He urged the UN to exercise leadership and make a requirement in all UN-supported peace and political processes the meaningful inclusion of a broad range of civil society, including women activists.