UN experts issue "How to guide" for peaceful protests
 

UN experts have issued "how to guide" on avoiding an escalation or outbreak of violence between protesters and police forces during demonstrations.

The Special Rapporteur on extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns and the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai, were in Geneva to address the Human Rights Council.

The report contains input from over 50 States, 100 experts from civil society, academia, protest groups, national human rights institutions and police forces.

The two experts advise that proper precautions and preparations need to be taken to protect demonstrators, bystanders and the police.

They also stress the obligation of States to not only protect, but to facilitate the exercise of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, among other human rights.

"These rights should not be viewed or treated as a threat" the Special Rapporteurs told the Council, but rather "as a means of dialogue in which the State should engage."


SOURCE: UN Radio