​46rd Session of the Human Rights Council

Update on Eritrea

24 February 2021

Esteemed Chair, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my honour to present my first oral update to the Council since taking up the role of Special Rapporteur last November 2020. In my update today, I will focus on the (a) the human rights of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers in the context of the ongoing Tigray crisis in Ethiopia, which added a new complicated dynamic in monitoring the human rights of the Eritrean people, and (b) the progress made in relation to the benchmarks set out in the reports of my predecessor.

Since I started my mandate on 1 November 2020, I am monitoring the ongoing Tigray conflict in Ethiopia, which erupted on 4 November 2020, and its impact on the Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers. There were over 96,000 Eritrean refugees in Tigray before the crisis, living largely in four refugee camps, including Hitsats, Mai-Aini, Adi Harush, and Shemelba. I have received information from credible sources that, as of November 2020, the situation of these refugees and asylum seekers has become more precarious and worrisome. I also received first-hand accounts of allegations of grave human rights and humanitarian law violations, including extra judicial killings, targeted abductions and forced return of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers to Eritrea, allegedly by Eritrean forces. I am particularly concerned about the two refugee camps, which hosted over 25,000 Eritrean refugees in Tigray region, Hitsats and Shemelba, and which were allegedly destroyed in attacks carried out by Eritrean and Ethiopian troops between November 2020 and January 2021, despite their protected humanitarian status under the 1951 Convention on the Protection of refugees.

I am also concerned about allegations of possible implication of Eritrean troops in cases of serious human rights violations, including acts of abductions, forceful or unvoluntary return of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers, and their imprisonment in different prisons in Eritrea. Such allegations need to be investigated promptly and thoroughly by independent mechanisms. On 28 January 2021, in my letter to the Government of Ethiopia, I called on the Ethiopian authorities to protect the human rights of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers in the Tigray region, and to ensure respect for their rights under human rights law, international humanitarian law and international refugee law. In this oral update, I request the Eritrean authorities to give me full access to refugees and asylum seekers allegedly held in various prisons inside Eritrea.

Turning to the issue of the human rights situation in Eritrea, since October 2020, I have seen no concrete evidence of progress or actual improvement in the human rights situation in the country. Eritrea has not yet put in place an institutional and legal framework to uphold minimum human rights standards in a democratic society. The country lacks rule of law, a constitution and an independent judiciary to enforce the protection of and respect for human rights. Eritrea continues to have no national assembly to adopt laws, including those regulating fundamental rights and the right of the Eritrean people to participate freely in the public life of their country.

On religious freedoms, I welcome the release of a large group of Christians. Reports indicate that, in recent weeks, Eritrea has released 70 jailed Christians of evangelical and orthodox who were held in three prisons. Sixty-four of the Christians had no charges and some of them were jailed for worshipping in public. On 27 January 2021, six female prisoners detained for worshipping in public in September 2020 in Dekemhare, south-east of Asmara, were also released. On 1 February 2021, 21 female and 43 male prisoners were released from Mai Serwa and Adi Abeito prisons near Asmara. The prisoners had been held between two and 12 years.

I also welcome the release, on 4 December 2020, of 24 Jehovah’s Witnesses, including the three conscientious objectors, Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, who had been held for 26 years, and whose cases were highlighted by the former UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea in her statement during the presentation of her report to the Human Rights Council in June 2020, and her interactive dialogue with the UN General Assembly on 26 October 2020.

While I welcome the release by the authorities of the Christians and Jehovah’s Witnesses, I have to note that Eritrea continues to impose restrictions on religious freedoms. I urge the Eritrean authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all of those who remain in prison because of their faith or belief.

Turning to the issue of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, there has been no progress. The situation of detainees and political prisoners is particularly concerning. It is also not acceptable for Eritrea to arbitrary detain political opponents in secret prisons without charge or trial in violation of human rights standards. For example, since the last report of my predecessor, some prisoners such as Dawit Isaak, a Swedish-Eritrean journalist, and of ten of his colleagues remain for two decades in incommunicado detention. These are other examples of numerous cases of individuals who are currently languishing in Eritrean prisons, with no prospect of release. It is difficult to speak of progress in Eritrea while their cases remain unresolved. The practice of arbitrary and incommunicado detentions in Eritrea has serious impact on the life of many Eritreans. In the context of COVID-19, I call on Eritrean authorities to release those particularly vulnerable, including older detainees and those who are sick.

I am also concerned of the imapact of the national serice on the right to educaiton of Eritrean students. The national service requirements oblige all secondary school students in the country to complete their final year at the Warsai Yekalo Secondary School, located in the Sawa military camp, and to undertake mandatory military training for approximately five months of that year. I am concerned that the conditions in the camp have impact on the right to education. It is reported that approximately 60 to 65 per cent of students at Sawa do not obtain the results needed for further studies and are either drafted directly into military service or sent to vocational training programmes. It is also alleged that military officials in Sawa subject students to ill-treatment and harsh punishments, including corporal punishment, and students undertake forced labour. I call on Eritrean authorities to put an end to such treatments and comply with their international human rights obligations.

Finally, since my appointment, I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with Eritrean officials. On 18 December 2020, I requested an invitation to undertake an official visit to Eritrea in my capacity as Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea. I proposed that I visit Eritrea from 21 to 31 January 2021 to hold consultations with relevant officials from the Government and a range of actors with a view to assessing the human rights situation on the ground, and to exploring jointly future avenues for constructive engagement for the sake of the protection and promotion of human rights in the country. I have not yet received a response from the Eritrean authorities. I remain willing to engage constructively with the Government of Eritrea on urgent human rights concerns. I hope the Eritrean authorities will cooperate with my mandate and I am still awaiting their response.

Thank you.

75th Summit of the General Assembly Social,

Humanitarian and Cultural Issues (Third Committee)

Interactive dialogue on Eritrea

New York, 26 October 2020

Madam chair, distinguishes delegates, ladies and gentlemen. It is with great honour that I present my oral update on the situation of human rights in Eritrea.

It has been two years since Eritrea’s peace agreement with Ethiopia and the lifting the UN sanctions on Eritrea. In this period, Eritrea has strengthened its cooperation with neighboring countries. Yet, Eritrea’s increased engagement at the regional level has not translated into reforms in the country. In my May 2020 report, I set out five benchmarks for progress in human rights and noted the lack of meaningful and substantive improvement in relation to these areas. Since the publication of my report, there have been limited signs of progress.

On the issue of political prisoners, there has been no progress. This lack of progress was most recently acknowledged by the European Parliament in a resolution adopted earlier this month, which focused on the case of Dawit Isaak and referred to the pervasive practices of arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances in Eritrea. Dawit Isaak is a Swedish-Eritrean journalist who has been held for over 19 years in Eritrea, without charge or trial. His case is not an isolated one. This December will mark the 8th year since the arrest of Ciham Ali Abdu, an American-Eritrean woman who has been held incommunicado since the age of 15. She was arrested as she tried to flee the country in December 2012, and has not been heard of since. Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam are three conscientious objectors who have been held for 26 years. They are part of a group of 52 Jehovah’s Witnesses currently in jail. Berhane Abrehe, a former finance minister, has been in prison for over two years following his arrest for publishing a book critical of the government. He is in his seventies and said to be in poor health. These are examples of the numerous cases of individuals who are currently languishing in Eritrean prisons, with no prospect of release. It is difficult to speak of progress in Eritrea while their cases remain unresolved.

This September, like every year, the authorities sent busloads of high school students to Sawa military camp despite the Covid-19 restrictions in place in the country. At Sawa, the students will complete their final year of education and be forced to take part in military training. Students should be allowed to return home to avoid the spread of Covid-19. They should also have the choice to decide where they go to school and not be forced into conscription. The authorities should stop using the education system to recruit new conscripts and should ensure that no minors are recruited into the army.

Eritrea continues to severely restrict civil liberties. Independent human rights defenders, political opposition groups and independent journalists cannot work freely in the country. The authorities also continue to impose restrictions on religious communities, in particular on unregistered religious congregations. While I welcome the release by the authorities of over 60 Christians in the months of August and September, I note that many were released on bail, despite the absence of charges against them. Most of them spent over a decade in prison, without charge, simply because of their faith. No church leaders were among those released. Alongside these releases, there were new arrests of Christians in August, including of four pastors who were taken from their homes by security forces in Asmara. At least five Christian women were reportedly arrested in Dekemhare, south-east of Asmara, in September. Additionally, I continue to receive reports of Christians who have died in custody because of poor prison conditions and the lack of basic health services. I urge the Eritrean authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all of those who remain in prison because of their faith or belief.

I welcome the release of a large group of Muslim men this past August. While the authorities have not provided official figures, several sources place the number of those released at around 100, although the exact numbers are difficult to confirm. Most were arrested in March 2018 at the funeral of Haji Musa Mohamed Nur, a Muslim community leader and the former chairman of Al-Diaa Islamic School in Asmara. While this is a positive development, the authorities have yet to ensure full respect for the rights to peaceful assembly and association. As I indicated in my report, some of those arrested for attending this funeral died in prison.

I am also following up on reports that, on 30 August, the authorities carried out mass arrests of men in the village of Quazien, north of Asmara, allegedly due to a land dispute with a neighboring village. Based on the information received, at least one of these men has since died in custody. The whereabouts of the remaining men are not known.

Finally, despite being a member of the UN Human Rights Council, Eritrea remains unwilling to cooperate with my mandate, and the Eritrean authorities have refused to meet with me over this past year. Eritrea has also not made progress in its cooperation with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. While the Eritrean authorities have indicated their willingness to implement Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations, they have yet to show concrete signs of their commitment to improving their human rights record. For the UPR recommendations to translate into positive change in the lives of ordinary Eritreans, the authorities must create an environment conducive for international agencies and donors to operate effectively and freely in the country.

In closing, this is my last week as Special Rapporteur. I wish the new Special Rapporteur, Mohamed Babiker, success in this role. And I urge the Eritrean authorities to engage constructively with him and invite him to conduct a country visit.

Thank you for your attention.

30 June 2020

Starts Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Annual Report and her Oral Update on the Human Rights Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Human Rights Council this afternoon held an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Eritrea after concluding its interactive dialogue on the situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar.  It also began an interactive dialogue on the annual report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and her oral update on the human rights implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Daniela Kravetz, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, said that over this past year, she had seen no tangible evidence of a meaningful and substantive improvement in the situation of human rights in Eritrea.  After almost two years of joining this Council, Eritrea had yet to cooperate with the mandate and with other United Nations Special Procedures. 

Eritrea, speaking as the concerned country, stated that the recycled report was an extension of a different agenda item and should not be taken seriously.  The shallow conclusions with regards to establishing durable peace in the country were disappointing.

In the ensuing dialogue, speakers called on Eritrea to allow the Special Rapporteur to visit the country and urged it to cooperate with the mandate, expressing regret over the lack of improvements in the human rights situation.  Many speakers noted that the indefinite national service appeared to be the driving force of emigration from Eritrea, and one of the main obstacles to peace and security.  Other speakers called on the Council not to interfere in Eritrean State affairs via this country-specific mandate. 

Ms. Kravetz concluded by saying that her report outlined extensive recommendations to reform the national service in Eritrea.  It was important for the Government to promote job creation under the principles of dignified work and fair working conditions.  The implementation of the International Labour Organization conventions that Eritrea had ratified would require technical assistance, notably as regard the eradication of child labour. 

Speaking in the interactive dialogue were : European Union, Germany, Russian Federation, Belgium, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, China, Venezuela (video message), Saudi Arabia, France, Australia, Spain (video message), Syria, Iran, Bangladesh, Croatia, Netherlands, Greece, Austria, Sudan, Switzerland, Somalia, Norway, United Kingdom, South Sudan, Belarus, Ethiopia, Cuba, Nicaragua and Egypt.

Also taking the floor were the following civil society organizations : Christian Solidarity Worldwide (video message), International Fellowship of Reconciliation (video message), East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project, Human Rights Watch, CIVICUS - World Alliance for Citizen Participation and United Nations Watch (video message).

The Council then began the interactive dialogue on the annual report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.  United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet presented her oral update in the previous meeting and a summary can be found here.

Speakers raised concerns about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in exacerbating gender-based violence, discrimination against persons with disabilities and persons of African descent, as well as existing situations where atrocity crimes could be committed, as speakers called for a global ceasefire and the reinforcement of the “Responsibility to Protect” principle.  Other speakers emphasised that the Council must transcend double standards of selectivity by limiting interference in State affairs.

Speaking in the interactive dialogue were the State of Palestine, France on behalf of a group of countries, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Uruguay on behalf of a group of countries, Sweden on behalf of a group of countries, European Union, Mexico on behalf of a group of countries, Burkina Faso on behalf of the African Group, Cuba on behalf of a group of countries, the United Kingdom on behalf of a group of countries, Norway on behalf of the Nordic countries, Netherlands on behalf of a group of countries, Morocco on behalf of a group of countries, Ireland on behalf of a group of countries, Viet Nam on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Timor-Leste on behalf of a group of countries, Djibouti on behalf of a group of countries, China on behalf of a group of countries, Australia on behalf of a group of countries, and the United Kingdom on behalf of a group of countries.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Council concluded the interactive dialogue on the oral update of the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar.  The interactive dialogue on Myanmar started in the previous meeting and a summary can be found here.

During the discussion, speakers drew attention to the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis and called on the Government of Myanmar to immediately grant full and safe humanitarian access to all conflict-affected areas and to lift any internet and media restrictions.  Speakers emphasised that the Government of Myanmar showed no willingness to facilitate the return of Rohingya refugees, noting that it was actively taking measures to drive out the Rohingya located in Myanmar, some of whom were forced to dig holes in the ground in order to shield themselves from the conflict. 

Speaking in the interactive dialogue were the European Union, Denmark on behalf of the Nordic countries, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, China, Russian Federation, Malaysia, Libya, Japan, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, France, Pakistan, Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Jordan, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, New Zealand, Senegal, Ireland, Turkey, Maldives, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Tunisia and Netherlands. 

Also taking the floor were the following civil society organizations: Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, Save the Children International, International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, International-Lawyers.Org and Aid Organization. 

The Council will next meet on Wednesday, 1 July at 10 a.m. to hold its annual discussion on the rights of the child, with a panel discussion on a healthy environment as a child rights concern: setting the scene.  At noon, it will continue its interactive dialogue on the annual report of the High Commissioner and her oral update on the human rights implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Interactive Dialogue on the Oral Update of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the Human Rights Situation of Rohingya Muslims and other Minorities in Myanmar

The interactive dialogue on Myanmar started in the previous meeting and a summary can be found here.

Discussion

Speakers, drawing attention to the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis in Myanmar, called on the Government to immediately grant full and safe humanitarian access to all conflict-affected areas and to lift any internet and media restrictions.  Speakers noted that there had been reports about arbitrary arrests, detentions of journalists and human rights defenders, and an intensified clampdown on freedom of expression, emphasizing that such practices must be halted.  Stressing the need for dialogue and consultation, other speakers called upon the international community to provide constructive assistance to Myanmar.  Some speakers said the actions of the Secretariat and the Council must lead to repatriation as soon as possible, and welcomed the creation of a joint working group comprised of foreign ministers of concerned countries, lamenting the colonial factors that were the root of the conflict.  Others called on the international community to shoulder a greater part of the problem.  Speakers denounced the genocide and hate speech that targetted Rohyingya as Muslims, and urged those present to tackle the root causes of the conflict.  Measures to respond to the pandemic should be proportionate and time-bound.

Speakers emphasised that the Government of Myanmar showed no willingness to facilitate the return of Rohingya refugees.  Moreover, the Government was actively taking measures to drive out the Rohingya located in Myanmar, some of whom were forced to dig holes in the ground in order to shield themselves from the conflict.  The services available to Rohingya refugees were lacking, and in combination with a lack of security made the human rights situation dire.  A comprehensive action plan with clear milestones must be created by the Government in order to tackle this crisis.  The impunity which States like Myanmar enjoyed was an abhorrent reality that must be put to an end, and the Government of Myanmar must undergo deep reflection and reform.  The human rights of Rohingya Muslims must be guaranteed and as a first step Myanmar must comply with the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice.  On 3 April 2020, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister had issued a COVID-19 directive, but it was difficult to implement it in the refugee camps, further worsening the situation. 

Concluding Remarks by the High Commissioner for Human Rights

MICHELLE BACHELET, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, noted that proceedings were underway in a variety of international mechanisms to deal with the crisis.  Myanmar would benefit from a broader range of transitional justice measures.  While some steps to promote economic activity in Rakhine state had been taken, internally displaced persons still had a lack of freedom of movement, which must be addressed.  Myanmar should facilitate an independent election and ensure monitoring by international partners.  At least 135 Rohingya migrants had died at sea this year, mostly as a result of lack of food and water, while others were beaten to death by the crew of the boat.

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Eritrea

Documentation

The Council has before it the Human rights situation in Eritrea – Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea (A/HRC/44/23).

Presentation of Report by the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Eritrea

DANIELA KRAVETZ, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, said that, like other countries across the globe, Eritrea had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.  She expressed concern that the COVID-19 pandemic was exacerbating the situation of famine and malnutrition that existed in parts of the country and was contributing to food shortages, in part due to the border closure and the restrictions on food imports currently in place.  Turning to her report, she said that over this past year, she had seen no tangible evidence of a meaningful and substantive improvement in the situation of human rights in Eritrea.  First, to demonstrate progress in human rights, an important initial step was for the Eritrean authorities to address the situation of those arbitrarily and unlawfully detained and of those who had disappeared in the prison system.  She had repeatedly raised this issue and had noted the lack of progress regarding the situation of political prisoners, prisoners of conscience and others arbitrarily and unlawfully detained.  It was quite striking that the Eritrean authorities remained completely silent on this issue.

To advance towards meaningful and sustainable development, Eritrea must invest in its youth.  This required the creation of positive conditions encouraging, among other things, youth to remain in the country.  To build the foundations for a thriving society, the Eritrean authorities must open civic space for independent civil society members.  Today, there was no space for independent human rights defenders, members of political opposition and independent journalists.  After almost two years of joining this Council, Eritrea had yet to cooperate with the mandate and with other United Nations Special Procedures.  The Eritrean authorities had complained that the report presented a distorted picture of the situation in the country.  At the same time, the authorities continued to deny the Special Rapporteur access to the country, refuse to meet with her and did not respond to her requests for input to her reports.

Statement by the Concerned Country

Eritrea, speaking as the concerned country, stated that its response to the COVID-19 pandemic was one of the most successful in the world.  The recycled report was an extension of a different agenda item and should not be taken seriously.  The shallow conclusions with regards to establishing durable peace in the country were disappointing.  The prospects of the peace process were positive in the long term.  Regarding national service, the report claimed that it was the main reason for emigration from Eritrea, yet the real reason lay in misguided policies of certain powers to win over Eritrean youth.  Despite the heavy effect of hostilities, Eritrea was driving forward with people-centred development and inclusive economic growth.  The 2019 transitional measures were already showing results. 

Discussion

During the dialogue, speakers called on Eritrea to allow the Special Rapporteur to visit the country and urged it to cooperate with the mandate, expressing regret over the lack of improvements in the human rights situation.  Many speakers noted that the indefinite national service appeared to be the driving force of emigration from Eritrea, and one of the main obstacles to peace and security.  Some speakers endorsed the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, singling out instances of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and torture as particularly troubling, especially when used against the political opposition.  Political prisoners, prisoners of faith and prisoners of conscience must be released immediately.  Human trafficking and gender-based violence were noted as signs that more progress had to be made with regards to gender issues.  Recent positive developments in the broader region were noted, as other speakers praised Eritrea’s progress and increased engagement despite the many challenges it faced, noting that the report used unconfirmed information and calling on the Council to stop interfering in the internal affairs of developing countries such as Eritrea.  Speakers said countries were solely responsible for their internal human rights issues and the international community must only act in assistance to a State, while the Council must not interfere in State affairs and must limit politicisation.  Multiple speakers emphasized that the Universal Periodic Review tool, which Eritrea cooperated with, was the best method of pursuing these issues.  Speakers also commended the normalisation of relations between Eritrea and Ethiopia following the 2018 peace agreement. 

Speakers drew attention to the situation of detainees in Eritrea, which had worsened because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Their situation was life-threatening, despite the Government’s declaration that the virus had been vanquished.  Eritrea had no welfare system, and with over 2 million people facing food insecurity, the governmental response was inadequate.  The international community must wake up to the alarming situation, speakers stated, and urged the renewal of the Special Rapporteur’s mandate.  The human rights situation in the country remained dire.  While the interactive dialogue between the Government and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was noted, Eritrea’s denial of access and refusal to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur violated its obligations as a Member State of the Human Rights Council.  Speakers asked the Special Rapporteur in which areas progress was more likely to happen and what would be the key drivers of change.  Eritreans needed to know that the Government would continue to face Council scrutiny.  Civic space remained closed and there was no free and independent press.  Speakers inquired about the steps that could be taken to ensure that the benchmarks were met.

Concluding Remarks by the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Eritrea

DANIELA KRAVETZ, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, said her report outlined extensive recommendations to reform the national service in Eritrea.  It was important for the Government to promote job creation under the principles of dignified work and fair working conditions.  The implementation of the International Labour Organization conventions that Eritrea had ratified would require technical assistance, notably as regards the eradication of child labour.  It was urgent for the authorities to map a way forward on several fronts, including upholding the freedom of religion, and the failure of the Government to do so was not only unhelpful, but also disappointing.

Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights on her Annual Report and the Oral Update on the Human Rights Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet presented her oral update in the previous meeting and a summary can be found here.

Discussion

Speakers agreed with the annual report of the High Commissioner about the need for international solidarity to promote and protect human rights.  COVID-19 had led to a global outbreak of gender-based violence, and response mechanisms had to be urgently strengthened to protect the rights of women and girls.  Persons with disabilities had suffered disproportionately during the pandemic, and it was important to respect their autonomy and right to education.  The pandemic had also further highlighted the discrimination faced by people of African descent, as speakers called for the full implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.  Efforts undertaken to combat COVID-19 crisis were welcomed, and speakers warned of a growing trend of democratic backsliding that was made worse by the pandemic.  Civil society and human rights defenders suffered from disinformation campaigns and abuses of technology, a situation made worse by COVID-19 responses in some States.  By compounding structural inequalities, COVID-19 may exacerbate existing situations where atrocity crimes could be committed, as speakers called for a global ceasefire and the reinforcement of the “Responsibility to Protect” principle. 

The Council was urged to transcend double standards of selectivity by limiting interference in State affairs.  Speakers raised concerns regarding human rights situations in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories, Indian-occupied Kashmir, Nagorno-Karabakh, Nicaragua, Venezuela, eastern Ukraine, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, China, Russian Federation, Cameroon, Yemen, Turkey, occupied Western Sahara, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka as well as regarding growing instances of Islamophobia, nationalism, racism and discrimination.

___________

For use of the information media; not an official record

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​Statement of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea

30 June 2020

Madam President, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen.

I am very pleased to join this session of the Human Rights Council and present my second annual report on the situation of human rights in Eritrea. I would like to begin by wishing all participants in this session good health and by thanking the organisers for facilitating my intervention.

Before turning to my report, I note that, like other countries across the globe, Eritrea has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. In recent weeks, as the authorities have expanded their testing, the number of confirmed cases has increased, although the numbers reported remain low. We must be conscious, however, that the actual numbers will likely be higher. I am concerned that the Covid-19 pandemic is exacerbating the situation of famine and malnutrition that exists in parts of the country and is contributing to food shortages, in part due to the border closure and the restrictions on food imports currently in place. For example, recent reports indicate that disadvantaged populations in and around the towns of Massawa and Assab and in the regions bordering Ethiopia and Sudan have been experiencing severe food shortages. I urge the Eritrean authorities to ensure, with the assistance of their international partners, that emergency food supplies reach all segments of the population during this difficult period.

Turning now to my report, over this past year, I have seen no tangible evidence of a meaningful and substantive improvement in the situation of human rights in Eritrea. In my report, I have set out specific areas of concern in relation to five benchmarks for progress. In my remarks today, I wish to focus on three key areas where reforms would signal that Eritrea is moving in a positive direction.

First, to demonstrate progress in human rights, an important initial step is for the Eritrean authorities to address the situation of those arbitrarily and unlawfully detained and of those who have disappeared in the prison system. I have repeatedly raised this issue and have noted the lack of progress regarding the situation of political prisoners, prisoners of conscience and others arbitrarily and unlawfully detained. It is quite striking that the Eritrean authorities remain completely silent on this issue. There are many unanswered questions regarding individual cases. For example, where is Ciham Ali Abdu, held for almost 8 years, and when will she be released? After two years in detention, where is Berhane Abrehe and when will he be released? After 19 years in detention, where is Dawit Isaak and when will he be released? And when will the authorities release Paulos Eyasu, Isaac Mogos and Negede Teklemariam, three conscientious objectors held for 26 years? The Eritrean authorities will demonstrate their genuine commitment to human rights when they release those individuals arbitrarily held in Eritrean prisons and provide information about those who have disappeared to their families.

Second, to advance towards meaningful and sustainable development, Eritrea must invest in its youth. This requires the creation of positive conditions encouraging, among other things, youth to remain in the country. During this past year, we have seen a steady flow of youth fleeing from Eritrea. These young people are not leaving because they are being lured out of the country by the refugee camps in neighbouring Ethiopia, as the Eritrean authorities claim, but because they have no prospects for a future in Eritrea. Of particular concern is the high number of children among those leaving. Up until the Covid-19 travel restrictions came into effect in March, over 20 per cent of those fleeing from Eritrea to Ethiopia on a monthly basis were unaccompanied children. More than 40 per cent of Eritrean refugees currently living in camps in Ethiopia are children. In the early months of this year, around 10 per cent of Eritrean refugees crossing into Sudan were unaccompanied minors. While we are now living in unusual times due to the Covid-19 pandemic and travel and movement restrictions are in effect, once these restrictions are eased, this exodus of Eritrea’s youth will continue. It is difficult to envisage a sustainable and prosperous future for Eritrea without its young people. As I have outlined in detail in my report, for Eritrea to support its youth, reforms are needed on various fronts, including in job creation, in the promotion of civil liberties, in education and in the national service.

Third, to build the foundations for a thriving society, the Eritrean authorities must open civic space for independent civil society. Today, there is no space for independent human rights defenders, members of political opposition and independent journalists. In this last year, we have witnessed the increased shrinking of civic space in Eritrea, with the arrests of practitioners of different religious congregations during prayer gatherings, of members of minority groups and of persons who have expressed dissent. In several instances, institutions that have called for reforms and have questioned the actions of the government have themselves faced reprisals, as in the case of the Catholic Church and of various Islamic institutions. An open civic space is a basic pillar for the success of any nation.

Finally, I wish to note that after almost two years of joining this Council, Eritrea has yet to cooperate with my mandate and with other UN special procedures. The Eritrean authorities have complained that my report presents a distorted picture of the situation in the country. At the same time, the authorities continue to deny me access to the country, refuse to meet with me and do not respond to my requests for input to my reports. In my previous interventions before this Council, I have openly invited the Eritrean authorities to discuss human rights issues with me, and I remain willing to engage in constructive dialogue with them.

Given that this is the eighth year since the creation of this mandate, I wish that I could present a more positive report on the human rights situation in Eritrea. But due to the lack of progress, I cannot. I urge the Eritrean authorities to be forward looking and to introduce much needed reforms to ensure the full enjoyment of basic rights for all Eritreans.

Thank you for your attention.

​French | ​Spanish

Statement by human rights experts on the International Day against
Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

17 May 2020

Geneva/Washington D.C./Strasbourg, 14 May 2020

On the eve of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT) on 17 May 2020, a group of United Nations and international human rights experts* call on States and other stakeholders to urgently take into account the impact of COVID-19 on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender diverse (LGBT) persons when designing, implementing and evaluating the measures to combat the pandemic.

The failure to respect and fulfill the right to life obligations for LGBT individuals is near ubiquitous in many parts of the world, a shortcoming that also affects data gathering, resource allocation and support to civil society. As a result, the fight against the pandemic is not waged on a level playing field. In all latitudes, LGBT persons are disproportionately represented in the ranks of the poor, people experiencing homelessness, and those without healthcare, meaning that they may be particularly affected as a result of the pandemic. In many countries, every time a trans woman leaves her home she does so with the awareness that there is a distinct possibility that before the end of the night she will be tortured or killed, lesbian women have worse health outcomes when compared to others, and bisexual persons are condemned to live their lives concealing their orientation. The discrimination suffered by gay men and transgender women results in them representing a significant proportion of those living with HIV whose immune systems may be compromised, and who may be at higher risk of developing severe symptoms of COVID-19. However, criminalization, stigma and discrimination against these persons will play against them, making it impossible to fully document and understand how they are being impacted by the pandemic.

These experiences of inequality and discrimination are compounded by disability, age, ethnicity/race, sex, indigenous or minority status, socioeconomic status and/or caste, language, religion or belief, political opinion, national origin, migration or situation of displacement, marital and/or maternal status, urban/rural location, health status, and property ownership. If States and other stakeholders, including businesses and faith-based organizations, are to meaningfully address the impact of the pandemic, they must unreservedly acknowledge that LGBT persons represent a meaningful cross-section of all of these identities, and they must act accordingly.

COVID-19, and the measures taken to address it, exacerbate inequalities and discrimination. The existence of criminalization laws, for example, makes LGBT persons more vulnerable to police abuse and arbitrary arrest and detention in the context of movement restrictions and curfews. While contributing to the fight against the pandemic by staying at home, LGBT children, youths and elders are forced to endure prolonged exposure to unaccepting family members, which exacerbates rates of domestic violence and physical and emotional abuse, as well as damage to mental health. In many jurisdictions, LGBT persons, particularly those most impoverished or without proper documentation, rely overwhelmingly on informal economies made impossible by COVID-19 restrictions. The socio-economic consequences of the pandemic and the loss of income might also increase the vulnerabilities of LGBT persons to human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The reallocation of health resources has also created or exacerbated shortages of antiretrovirals for those living with HIV, while also impacting the ability of trans men and women to receive hormonal therapy or gender-affirming care. Gender-based curfew laws and policies have reportedly condemned gender-diverse persons to permanent seclusion while making trans individuals targets for humiliation and violence when going out.  

The pandemic has also created a context conducive to increased persecution. Some States have enacted measures which intentionally target LGBT persons under the guise of public health, including proposing legislation to deny transgender and gender diverse persons of their legal recognition. Hate speech explicitly or implicitly inciting violence against LGBT persons has been on the rise, including discourse by prominent political or religious leaders blaming the pandemic on the existence of LGBT persons in the community. Surveillance and other digital technologies enacted to track COVID-19 carriers increase risks of infringing privacy and exacerbating stigma.

Civil society organizations, which operated under duress before the pandemic, have been frantically working to fill in the gaps left by States: organizing the collection and distribution of food and water, hygienic materials and masks; activating communication, solidarity and social protection networks; and supporting each other. Local and global organizations have also created best practices through rapid response funds that allow advocates to keep their phone lines open and their computer screens lit and connected, thus providing vital lifelines of communication. This complex system of early warning, sense of community, advocacy and follow-up that has been forged over the last five decades by the dedication of human rights defenders who advocate for the human rights of LGBT persons all over the world is an asset of profound value for the global community. It has demonstrated its unique capacity to effectively and efficiently respond to needs at the most intimate and local levels, and demonstrate those needs in national, regional and global terms, and it has been instrumental in the unique global alliances created to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic, to ensure recognition of the rights of LGBT persons as human rights, to condemn and eradicate the scourge of criminalization, and to initiate social transformation of unprecedented depth and width by promoting their inclusion in education, health, employment, housing, water and sanitation and all other realms of society.

We therefore urge States and other stakeholders, on the eve of this 17 May 2020 and in times of COVID-19, to give visibility to and protect LGBT persons in the context of the pandemic. We call on States to pursue all means necessary - including conducting research, adopting legislation, public policy, and ensuring access to justice mechanisms - to ensure that this public health emergency will neither exacerbate existing misconceptions, prejudices, inequalities or structural barriers, nor lead to increased violence and discrimination against persons with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. We urge all stakeholders, particularly States, to urgently implement lines of action designed to sustain and ensure the continuity of the work of civil society and human rights defenders - the capacities existing within this sector must not be put in peril. And, to effectively meet these objectives, we urge States to engage with LGBT persons, organizations and communities in the design, implementation and evaluation of the measures adopted to respond to the pandemic.

The history of LGBT persons, like others subjected to discrimination and violence, has been one of suffering, endurance and hope - a vital struggle for freedom and equality in the face of singular adversity. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we call upon State authorities to listen to the particular concerns of LGBT persons, respect their expertise over their own lives and communities, and accept their solidarity in the construction of new realities of freedom and equality for humankind. 

ENDS

(*) The experts:
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)
Council of Europe: Ms. Dunja Mijatović, Commissioner for Human Rights
UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
UN independent experts: Victor Madrigal-Borloz, Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity; E. Tendayi Achiume, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; ​Thomas Andrews, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar;  Karima Bennoune, Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights; Kombou Boly Barry, Special Rapporteur on the right to education; David R. Boyd, Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment; Agnès Callamard, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Joe Cannataci, Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy;  Alice Cruz, Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members;Olivier De Schutter, Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights; Catalina Devandas-Aguilar, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities; Fernand de Varennes, Special Rapporteur on minority issues; Isha Dyfan, Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia; Ikponwosa Ero, Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism; Michael Fakhri, Special Rapporteur on the right to food; Diego García-Sayán, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children; Felipe González Morales, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants; José Antonio Guevara Bermúdez (Chair), Elina Steinerte (Vice-Chair), Leigh Toomey (Vice-Chair), Sètondji Adjovi, and Seong-Phil Hong, Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; Luciano Hazan (Chair), Tae-Ung Baik (Vice Chair), Bernard Duhaime, Houria Es-Slami, and Henrikas Mickevičius, Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; Léo Heller, Special Rapporteur on the human rights to water and sanitation; Cecilia Jimenez-Damary, Special rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons;David Kaye, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of expression; Daniela Kravetz, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea; Chris Kwaja (Chair), Jelena Aparac, Lilian Bobea, Sorcha MacLeod, and Saeed Mokbil, Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination; Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders;  Michael Lynk, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967; Claudia Mahler, Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons; Anaïs Mari, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus;  Nils Melzer, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Githu Muigai (Chair), Anita Ramasastry (Vice-chair), Surya Deva, Elżbieta Karska, and  Dante Pesce, Working Group on Business and Human Rights; Fionnuala D. Ní Aoláin, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; Clement Nyaletsossi Voule, Special Rapporteur on the right to peaceful assembly and association; Tomoya Obokata, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences; Obiora C. Okafor, Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity; Dainius Pūras, Special Rapporteur on the right to physical and mental health;Balakrishnan Rajagopal, Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context; Javaid Rehma, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran; Ahmed Reid (Chair), Michal  Balcerzak, Dominique Day, Sabelo Gumedze, and Ricardo A. Sunga III, Working Group of experts on people of African descent; Livingstone Sewanyana, Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order; Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief;Dubravka Šimonovic, Special Rapporteur on  violence against women, its causes and consequences; Mama Fatima Singhateh, Special Rapporteur on sale and sexual exploitation of children; Rhona Smith, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia;Meskerem Geset Techane (Chair), Elizabeth Broderick (Vice Chair), Alda Facio, Ivana Radačić, and Melissa Upreti, Working Group on discrimination against women and girls; Alioune Tine, Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali; Baskut Tuncak, Special Rapporteur on human rights and hazardous substances and wastes.

For further information and media requests, please contact:

For the UN Committees and independent experts: Catherine de Preux De Baets  (cdepreuxdebaets@ohchr.org), Taro Tanaka (ttanaka@ohchr.org)  or write to ie-sogi@ohchr.org / Xabier Celaya (xcelaya@ohchr.org)

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights: cidh-prensa@oas.org
Council of Europe, Stefano Montanari, +33 (0)6 61 14 70 37

Spanish

GENEVA (2 April 2020) – A UN rights expert has urged Eritrea to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in its overcrowded jails by immediately releasing all political prisoners, low-risk offenders and others such as the sick and elderly who are particularly vulnerable to illness or death.

Daniela Kravetz, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, highlighted the case of an American-Eritrean dual national and daughter of a former information minister being held for more than seven years since she was a teenager.

“This Friday, Ciham Ali Abdu is celebrating her 23rd birthday in an Eritrean prison. Ciham has been in incommunicado detention, without charge, since the age of 15. She was arrested in December 2012 as she tried to flee the country into Sudan, shortly after her father requested asylum in a third country. Since her arrest, her family has received no information about her whereabouts,” Kravetz said.

She said that repeated appeals for Ciham’s release had been ignored by the Eritrean authorities.

“I call on the Eritrean authorities to immediately and unconditionally release those detained without legal basis, including all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, and to adopt urgent measures to reduce the number of people in detention to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” the Special Rapporteur said.

“Eritrea has recently confirmed 18 cases of COVID-19 and has put in place measures to control the spread of the disease, including a 21-day lockdown, describing the situation as very grave. The pandemic could have devastating consequences for the prison population in Eritrea due to the fragile healthcare services, unhygienic conditions, and overcrowding,” Kravetz said.

“Over the years, many have died in Eritrean prisons due to malnutrition, lack of basic healthcare and ill-treatment. Essential medical care services are often unavailable for detainees.”

She said that some of the many political prisoners and prisoners of conscience being held in Eritrea had been behind bars for decades because of their political views or their faith. In 2019 alone, more than 200 individuals were imprisoned because of their faith.

“I also call upon the Eritrean authorities to respect the rule of law and protect human rights in the implementation of their measures to respond to the outbreak of COVID-19,” the UN Special Rapporteur said

ENDS

Ms. Daniela Kravetz (Chile) was appointed as the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea by the Human Rights Council in October 2018. She is an attorney with extensive experience in human rights, accountability, gender-based violence and access to justice in conflict and post-conflict settings. Her experience covers countries in Latin America, Africa, and the former Yugoslavia.

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.

For more information and media requests, please contact Dieudonne Munyinga at: dmunyinga@ohchr.org.

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts, please contact Xabier Celaya at: xcelaya@ohchr.org

Follow news related to the UN’s independent human rights experts on Twitter: @UN_SPExperts.

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Twenty-five years after the Beijing Fourth World Conference on Women, no country in the world is free from discrimination against women

Women's and girls' activism and autonomous movements have been the driving forces behind the advancement of women's human rights and gender equality, and remain ever essential.  Women and girls have been at the forefront of movements for change around the world. But 25 years on from the Beijing Platform of Action, responsibility for progress cannot continue to lie solely on the shoulders of women. While women continue to lead the struggle for equality, men are now more than ever called upon to be a part of movements for gender equality and become women´s human rights defenders.  Men and boys need to stand with women and girls as allies in the fight for gender equality and demand an end to impunity and accountability for violations of women's rights and access to justice. Discrimination against women and girls is a human rights violation which must not be tolerated and States must be held accountable for implementing international standards guaranteeing women's and girls' human rights and achieving substantive gender equality. Structural causes for inequality and deeply entrenched discriminatory attitudes and practices must be tackled in order to achieve gender equality and a sustainable future for all.

On the occasion of International Women's Day, we call for immediate actions for ending discrimination again women and girls. The time to act is now. International Women's Day has been observed for over a century in different parts of the world. Since the United Nations' proclamation of 8 March as the Day for Women's Rights and World Peace in 1977, much has been accomplished, by the international community collectively and by countries individually. An important groundbreaking international human rights treaty, the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women, was adopted in 1979, imposing legal obligations on States to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women in all areas of life. The World Conference on Human Rights in 1993 declared for the first time that women's rights are human rights. The United Nations convened its Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace in 1995 and adopted a comprehensive plan to advance women's right to equality – the Beijing Platform for Action. Gender equality is included in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted in 2015, both as a stand-alone goal and mainstreamed throughout all goals. Many constitutional and legal reforms to integrate women's human rights fully into domestic law have occurred and many countries have eliminated discriminatory laws.

While celebrating achievements and acknowledging contributions by many, including the UN and regional mechanisms on the elimination of discrimination and violence against women[1], we must recognize that progress remains insufficient 25 years after the Beijing Platform of Action and 41 years since the adoption of CEDAW. Today no country in the world is totally free of discriminatory practices, and discriminatory laws still exist in many places, affecting some of the most critical areas of women's lives such as marriage, divorce, nationality, free movement, the right to inheritance, property, and work. Important achievements including in the field of reproductive rights, are today at stake. Everywhere, to different degrees, women are still discriminated either through acts of State and non-state actors that explicitly or implicitly deny them the exercise of  rights or through a State´s failure to adopt and implement national legislations and policies aimed at achieving gender equality and prohibiting gender-based violence against women. Furthermore, in a context where most countries have implemented fiscal consolidation measures, women disproportionally bear the consequences of economic crisis at various levels and assume a disproportionate burden of unpaid care. We should also not forget that women continue to be excluded from peace and reconciliation processes and mechanisms, despite the fact that they constitute one of the groups most affected by armed conflicts.

Discrimination against women and girls manifests in many forms, from women being considered inferior and excluded from cultural, political, economic, financial, social and religious power to women and girls being subjected to harmful practices, stereotypes and stigma, forced into marriages and contemporary forms of slavery, subjected to human trafficking, physical, psychological, sexual and economic and political violence and abuse, deprived of educational and employment opportunities, denied of their sexual and reproductive health rights, objectified in the media, and denigrated in songs, films, and other artistic or cultural productions and traditions. Ageism toward older women is a growing concern in many societies. The failure to address women's specific needs, including their reproductive and sexual health, by denying them access to dedicated health services also constitutes discrimination. Criminalization of sexual or reproductive conduct and decision-making that predominately affects women is also inherently discriminatory.

Discrimination against women and girls persists and is too often unchallenged or normalized, including in marketing of products and services that perpetuate gender stereotypes and objectifies women's bodies. In fact, discrimination lies at the heart of every issue faced by women regardless of their identity or status. It operates in all spheres of women's lives and is by no means accidental; discrimination is indeed political and systemic. It often reflects cultural stereotypes about women which international law requires States to change. The private sector also must do more to ensure systematic changes to patriarchal power structures, social norms, gender stereotypes and hostile environments that are barriers to women's equal enjoyment of human rights in all spheres.  Structural discrimination, which exists in the public and private realms, reflects an underlying power imbalance that is intended to suppress women and relegate them to an inferior status, whether through what may be perceived as an innocuous practice which is in reality a denial of certain rights, to harmful stigma and marginalization to extreme forms of violence and femicide.  Gender inequality is the result of any of these forms of discrimination and is often exacerbated by other factors including poverty, conflict, race, age, and most systems of domination. Thus adopting an intersectional approach to gender discrimination is of critical importance in order to understand and adequately respond to the unique forms of discrimination generally experienced by women on account of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, and disability status among others. Gender inequality is inherently unjust and an ill which undermines the well-being of all societies. Migrant women and girls, asylum seekers and refugees are particularly vulnerable to discrimination, exploitation and violence.

Despite the persistent discrimination and increasing backlash, women and girls human rights defenders and activists have not allowed themselves to be intimidated and silenced. They have been engaged in a range of issues, demanding an end to armed conflicts, gun violence, militarism, authoritarianism, fundamentalism and extremism, hunger, corporate abuses, racism, among many others. They fight for environmental and climate justice, the right to water and sanitation, land rights, and the rights of children, youth and the older persons, indigenous peoples, minorities, migrants, persons with disabilities, and  lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse persons. Today on this International Women's Day, we pay tribute to these women and girls and we celebrate their courage and achievements.

ENDS

See news release "The time to act is now" – UN experts urge men and boys to become women's human rights defenders

*UN experts: Ms. Elizabeth Broderick (Vice Chair), Ms. Alda Facio, Ms. Ivana Radačić, Ms. Meskerem Geset Techane (Chair), Ms. Melissa Upreti, Working Group on discrimination against women and girls; Mr. Ahmed Reid (Chair), Ms. Dominique Day, Mr. Michal  Balcerzak, Mr. Ricardo A. Sunga III, Mr. Sabelo Gumedze, Working Group of experts on people of African descent; Ms. Ikponwosa Ero,  Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism;  Mr. José Antonio Guevara Bermúdez (Chair), Ms. Leigh Toomey (Vice-Chair on Communications), Ms. Elina Steinerte (Vice-Chair on Follow-up), Mr. Seong-Phil Hong and Mr. Sètondji Adjovi, Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; Mr. Surya Deva, Ms. Elżbieta Karska, Mr. Githu Muigai (Chair), Mr. Dante Pesce, and Ms. Anita Ramasastry (Vice Chair), Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises; Ms Anaïs Marin, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus; Ms. Rhona Smith, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia; Mr. Yao Agbetse, Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Central African Republic; Ms. Karima Bennoune, Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights; Ms. Catalina Devandas Aguilar, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities; Mr. Luciano A. Hazan (Chair), Mr. Tae-Ung Baik (Vice Chair), Mr. Bernard Duhaime, Ms. Houria Es-Slami, Mr. Henrikas Mickevičius, Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances; Dr. Koumbou Boly Barry, Special Rapporteur on the right to education; Mr. David R. Boyd, Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment; Ms. Daniela Kravetz, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea; Ms. Agnes Callamard, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; Mr. Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky, Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights; Mr. Saad Alfarargi, Special Rapporteur on the right to development; Ms. Hilal Elver, Special Rapporteur on the right to food; Mr. David Kaye, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Mr. Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Ms. Hilal Elver, Special Rapporteur on the right to food; Mr. Dainius Pūras, Special Rapporteur on the right to physical and mental health; Ms. Leilani Farha, Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, and on the right to non-discrimination in this context; Mr. Michel Forst, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; Mr.Diego García-Sayán, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; Ms. Victoria Lucia Tauli-Corpuz, Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples; Ms. Cecilia Jimenez-Damary, Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons; Mr. Livingstone Sewanyana, Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order; Mr. Obiora C. Okafor, Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity; Mr. Javaid Rehman, Special Rapporteor on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran; Ms. Alice Cruz, Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy; Mr. Chris Kwaja (Chair), Ms. Jelena Aparac, Ms. Lilian Bobea, Ms. Sorcha MacLeod and Mr. Saeed Mokbil, Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination; Mr. Alioune Tine, Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali; Mr. Felipe González Morales, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants; Dr. Fernand de Varennes RP, Doyen, Special Rapporteur on minority issues; Ms. Yanghee Lee, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar; Ms. Rosa Kornfeld-Matte, Independent expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons; Mr. Michael Lynk, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967; Mr. Philip Alston, Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights; Prof. Joseph Cannataci,  Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy; Ms. E. Tendayi Achiume, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; Mr. Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief; Ms. Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children; Mr. Victor Madrigal-Borloz, Independent Expert on Protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity; Ms. Urmila Bhoola, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences; Mr. Bahame Tom Mukirya Nyanduga, Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia; Mr. Bahame Tom Mukirya Nyanduga, Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia; Ms. Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; Mr. Nils Melzer, Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; Ms. Maria Grazia Giammarinaro, Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children; Mr. Fabian Salvioli, Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation, and guarantees of non-recurrence; Ms. Dubravka Šimonović, Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences; Mr. Léo Heller, Special Rapporteur on the rights to water and sanitation.

* See "25 Years in Review of the Beijing Platform of Action, contributions of the Platform of independent expert mechanisms on the elimination of discrimination and violence against Women (EDVAW Platform)"- available at: https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Women/SR/Booklet_BPA.pdf