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Ending Reprisals

Location: Geneva,
Date:

Wednesday 18 September 2019

16:30 - 17:30

Room VIII

Palais des Nations

This side event is co-sponsored by the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies and Forum-Asia.

The engagement of civil society and human rights defenders is essential to the work of the UN human rights system. Acts of intimidation and reprisal are violations of basic human rights, and while impunity for intimidation and reprisals continue, the effective functioning of the UN system as a whole is undermined.

This event will seek to:

  • Discuss and expand on the Secretary-General’s report on cooperation with UN mechanisms such as the systematic patterns of reprisals, self-censorship, use of national security and counter-terrorism measures including legislation to prevent access to the UN;
  • Highlight the nature and extent of reprisals and intimidation against those cooperating with the UN including the challenges of under-reporting;
  • Garner support for the draft resolution on reprisals including considering efforts to date to address reprisals and intimidation and highlighting the importance of further developing and strengthen policies and practices to prevent and address reprisals, including gender-sensitive responses.

Panellists:

  • Andrew Gilmour, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights
  • Bahey Eldin Hassan, Director of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
  • Wai Wai Nu, Women Peace Network, Burma

Moderator:

  • Phil Lynch, ISHR Director

Photo: Pixabay/Creative Commons