56th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association

Madam Vice President,

My Delegation wishes to thank the Special Rapporteur for her presence today as she begins her mandate, and welcomes today’s discussion related to current threats to the fundamental right that everyone has to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, as enshrined in the UDHR. 

            This right, in conjunction with the rights to freedom of expression, constitutes a fundamental tenet of any well-functioning democratic society. It facilitates the expression of opinions that may or may not be shared by all members of a society. It is therefore imperative that this right be protected in order to facilitate the existence of a pluralistic society in which people with different opinions or beliefs can coexist peacefully. In this context, my Delegation wishes to emphasise that freedom of peaceful assembly is inextricably linked with freedom of religion or belief, and that they are mutually reinforcing, interdependent, and interrelated.

Freedom of peaceful assembly and association, as all fundamental human rights, is universal, inalienable and inviolable. The universality of human rights is such that they apply to all human beings without exception, in virtue of the universal dignity of every human person. As such, no person is entitled to deprive others of them, as this would be contrary to their intrinsic nature. Nevertheless, it is important to recognise that in specific instances, limitations may be imposed on the exercise of these rights, as long as such limitations are in accordance with the relevant international legal obligations. Indeed, every human right is accompanied by a set of duties and responsibilities that must be upheld. In this interplay between rights and responsibilities, communities are formed and protected as a means of pursuing the common good.

Furthermore, the realisation of human rights necessitates not only the articulation of these rights in words, but also their effective protection, observation and practice.^[1] In his first World Day of Peace Message, Pope Francis expressed with deep regret that: “In many parts of the world, there seems to be no end to grave offences against fundamental human rights.”^[2] He has also expressed concern about the “retreat from democracy” in the contemporary world,[3] and has underscored the necessity of democratic participation and the involvement of all, which demands considerable effort and perseverance.[4] Indeed, one form of this participation is through the exercise of the right to freedom of assembly and association.

Pope Francis posits that such participation is imperative to prevent democracy from atrophying and becoming formality. Without it democracy risks losing its representative character and becoming disembodied, failing to address the daily struggles of individuals for dignity, and the construction of their lives. [5] 

Madam Special Rapporteur,

In light of the aforementioned considerations, my Delegation would be grateful if you could elucidate the role you see faith leaders or faith-based organisations could play in keeping civic space open and preventing the erosion of democratic principles.

Thank you.