media-specialprocedures@ohchr.org
UN expert on rights to freedom of
peaceful assembly and association to visit to Zimbabwe
GENEVA (12 September 2019) – UN
Special Rapporteur Clément Nyaletsossi Voule will visit Zimbabwe from 17 to 27
September 2019 to assess the country’s achievements and challenges in relation
to the exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of
association in the country.
This is the first official visit by
an independent human rights expert, appointed by the Human Rights Council, to
Zimbabwe.
“My upcoming visit to Zimbabwe
represents a key opportunity to learn first-hand about laws, policies and
national realities in relation to the rights to peaceful assembly and of
association in light to the 2013 Constitution and the change of leadership,”
Voule said.
“My mission will also serve to identify the opportunities
and challenges the Government faces in implementing articles 21 and 22 of the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, particularly in relation to
the management of assemblies in the context of
the recent protests,” the human rights expert said, noting Zimbabwe’s
accession to the Covenant in May 1991.
The Special Rapporteur, who is
visiting at the invitation of the Government, will meet with government
officials, representatives of the judiciary, legislature, independent
institutions and civil society. He will also meet members of the international
community including UN officials.
During his 10-day mission, Voule
will travel to Bulawayo, Mutare and the Marange communities.
“I look forward to having a
constructive engagement with the Government, independent institutions and a
wide-range of civil society actors to identify needs and practical approaches
in order to formulate constructive recommendations that can contribute to the
strengthening of the civic space in the country,” he said.
At the end of his mission, the
Special Rapporteur will share his preliminary findings at a news conference on
27 September at 12:00 at the United Nations Information Centre in Harare (Sanders
House, 2nd floor. Cnr. First Street/Jason Moyo Avenue Harare). Access to the
press conference will be limited to the media.
The independent expert will present
a comprehensive report of his visit, which will include his findings and
recommendations, to the 44th session of the Human Rights Council in June 2020.
ENDS
Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, from
Togo, was appointed as United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right topeaceful assembly and association in March 2018. He is a legal expert and currently
works in Geneva in the field of human rights. He is an associate researcher at
the Geneva Academy of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. Prior to his
appointment, he led the work of the International Service for Human Rights
(ISHR). Mr. Voule also worked as Secretary General of the Togolese Coalition of
Human Rights Defenders, as campaigning officer for the Coalition for the
Togolese International Criminal Court and as Secretary General of the Amnesty
International section in Togo. Since 2011, Mr. Voule has been an expert member
of the Working Group on Extractive Industries, Environment and Human Rights
Violations of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.
The Special Rapporteurs are part of
what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special
Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights
system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and
monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or
thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a
voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their
work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in
their individual capacity.
UN Human Rights, Country Page -
Zimbabwe
For more information and media
requests please contact:
In Harare (during the visit): Mr.
Sirak Gebrehiwot (+263 (0) 772 198 036/ sirak.gebrehiwot@one.un.org)
In Geneva (before and after the
visit): Ms María Vivar Aguirre (+41 22 917 9179, mvivaraguirre@ohchr.org orwrite to freeassembly@ohchr.org)
For media inquiries related to
other UN independent experts please contact: Mr Jeremy Laurence, UN Human
Rights – Media Unit (+41 22 917 9383 / jlaurence@ohchr.org)
Follow news related to the UN’s
independent human rights experts on Twitter @UN_SPExperts.
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