ISHR’s report Ending Reprisals: The role of national laws and policies in protecting those who cooperate with the United Nations puts forward arguments for a legislative response by individual States by which the right of unhindered access to and communication with international bodies is clearly protected in national law.
A 2012 panel discussion of the Human Rights Council recommended, amongst other things, that a study be carried out on good practices in addressing reprisals, including through national legislation. The examination in this report of the extent to which States have tried to address this issue in emerging national laws and policies on human rights defenders, and the conclusions and recommendations drawn from their consideration, (Section VI) are presented as a contribution to that aim.
The public session of the 89th session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) will be held in Dakar, Senegal, from 12 to 21 October. The public session will be preceded by a training session organised jointly by ISHR, Front Line Defenders and Defend Defenders on 6, 7 and 11 October, and the NGO Forum, organised by ACDHRS from 8 to 10 October.
In its annual discussion on the UN Secretary-General’s report on reprisals against individuals seeking to cooperate with the organisation, States heard the specifics of cases that involved countries in all regions – including eight sitting members of the Council.
UN human rights experts released a landmark statement urging States, businesses, INTERPOL and international organisations to prevent and combat the spread of transnational repression, warning of its increasing impacts on human rights, democracy and the rule of law and those who take action to defend them.
