The Botswana ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Mothusi Bruce Rabasha Palai, has expressed concerns about increasing reports of reprisals against civil society activists, who are engaged with international human rights organisations.
Palai called on members to commit to an end to reprisals and contribute to a better response by the UN.
The statement, supported by 56 other member states of the UN Human Rights Council, comes in the wake of Sri Lanka’s recent crackdown on human rights activists, who sought to highlight disappearances and other abuses on the island, as the Council deliberates a resolution on Sri Lanka.
See excerpts below:
“Civil society contributes to advancing the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. The UN has repeatedly affirmed this and stated how it cannot operate effectively without the input and engagement of civil society. In a number of resolutions, the Council has rightly indicated that reprisals can have a very serious deterrent effect on people willing to cooperate with the UN,
“As Botswana, we are deeply concerned about the increasing number of reported cases of reprisals against individuals engaging, or seeking to engage with international human rights bodies. It is clear that the current UN response to preventing them and ensuring redress is inadequate. A more unified, coordinated and effective response is needed to ensure that individuals can engage with the UN human rights system without fear of intimidation or attack,
“The High Commissioner, in her opening statement to the Human Rights Council praised the adoption by the Council during its 24th session of a forward looking resolution on reprisals. We whole heartedly hope this initiative will be followed through at the General Assembly,
“It is time that UN member states come together to commit to ending reprisals, and contribute to defining and supporting a better UN response. It is for this reason that Botswana felt a strong message from the Human Council at this session was so important. We warmly thank the 56 other States who have added their voices to our call,
“Reprisals are never acceptable, not in any circumstances, nor in any fora. UN system and the member States have a responsibility to support and protect those who contribute to its work, often at great personal risk.”