September 13, 2012
Ms. President, Members of the Panel,
Today, I’m speaking not only as a defender, but also as a victim of reprisals in my own country, Sudan. I was accused of treason/betrayal for allegedly submitting information to the International Criminal Court.
Reprisals can take many forms, including smear campaigns, harassment, intimidation, arbitrary arrest and judicial harassment, direct threats, physical attacks, torture and even killings.
A few months ago in this very building, some of you in this room might have met some my friends and colleagues who are currently detained for their human rights activities, and for having advocated in favour of initiatives to put their countries’ human rights records on the Council’s agenda.
My friend Nabeel Rajab, from Bahrain, President of BCHR and FIDH Deputy Secretary-General, has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for three cases related to his participation in peaceful gatherings in favour of fundamental freedoms and democracy. But above all, he was silenced because of the increased recognition that he gained as a result of his strong and sustained engagement with the UN.
Belarusian defender Ales Bialiatski, President of VIASNA and FIDH Vice-President, has been subjected to similar treatment. He brought the voice of Belarusian civil society to this Council, and as a result placed himself at risk in his country. One month after his participation in the UN Human Rights Council in March 2011, a media smear campaign was launched that finally culminated in his conviction to 4.5 years of imprisonment.
Both of them were at the front line of efforts to initiate action concerning their countries by the Council, and they have paid a heavy price as a consequence. When they came here, they put their trust in the UN system and were seeking protection from you.
For these reasons, we think it is appropriate and relevant that the Council take strong action on the issue of reprisals, which is not only a pressing human rights concern, but also a question of credibility and ethics for this body. To ensure that local defenders, witnesses and victims continue to engage with the UN and to prevent further abuses, the Council must ensure that it has effective mechanisms to respond to and follow up on any cases of reprisals. As the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the FIDH-OMCT, has repeatedly requested, the Council should guarantee the implementation of existing norms with regard to defenders, in particular the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
We – as human rights defenders and victims of reprisals – are expecting you to ensure that the United Nations remains a place that is free from fear and where freedom of expression is safeguarded.
For some of us, it is the only such place where we can make our voices heard.
Ms. President,
Members of the Panel
I thank you.
[1] In the framework of their joint programme, the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders.