HRC57: Reprisals against human rights defenders

Human Rights House Foundation statement

HRC57 – Item 5 – Interactive Dialogue with the Assistant Secretary General – Reprisals

26 September 2024

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Thank you, President.

Belarus finds itself in the Secretary General’s report, not because of the actions of the “West”, but because of its reprisals against its own civil society, including Viasna employees, as well its trade unions and others.

President.

Azerbaijan human rights defender Anar Mammadli has been subjected to arbitrary detention and ongoing reprisals for his legitimate human rights work, including his participation in a side event at the 55th session of the Human Rights Council in March. As Azerbaijan prepares to host COP29, the arrest and detention of Anar Mammadli raises serious red flags about the safety and security of civil society actors, both domestic and international, participating in this critical global event. We call for his immediate and unconditional release, along with assurances from Azerbaijan that it will end its persecution of human rights defenders.

Additionally, our own organisation, Human Rights House Foundation, is in the Secretary General’s report due to our designation as an “undesirable organisation” by the Russian Federation. We have never had an office in Russia, nor carry out any activities there, so this designation is a clear reprisal on the basis of our United Nations-focused work.

President.

We ask the Assistant Secretary-General: What further steps can be taken to strengthen protections against reprisals, particularly in contexts like COP29  in Azerbaijan where the participation of independent civil society is critical?

Thank you.