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	Discussing human rights issues with foreign ambassadors is not a crime by United Nations News, OHCHR, agencies Egypt, Belarus, Cambodia   27 Nov. 2020 (UN News)   A group of UN independent human rights experts have called on Egyptian authorities to “immediately and unconditionally” release activists arrested, apparently in retaliation, for discussing human rights issues with foreign ambassadors.   The human rights activists, from the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), were arrested “within days” of a meeting with 13 foreign ambassadors and diplomats on 3 November, according to the UN human rights office (OHCHR). They face terrorism and public security charges.   “It is absolutely abhorrent to retaliate against human rights defenders from one of Egypt’s last functioning human rights NGOs, simply for exercising their right to freedom of expression by discussing Egypt’s human rights situation,” the UN experts said in a statement on Friday.   “These arrests underline the very grave risks human rights defenders face in Egypt every day while carrying out their legitimate work … They are only the latest steps in an escalating campaign against EIPR and are part of a broader move to limit civic space and target those who operate within it,” they added.   The arrested EIPR officials include Executive Director Gasser Abdel Razek; director of criminal justice Karim Ennarah; and administrative manager Mohammad Basheer.   According to the statement, authorities have targeted the human rights NGO since 2016, when the bank accounts of former EIPR director and founder Hossam Bahgat were frozen and he was banned from leaving the country. In February 2020, EIPR’s gender rights researcher, Patrick Zaki, was arrested, and remains in pre-trial detention on charges relating to terrorism and incitement.   All four men are being held in the Tora prison complex, just south of capital Cairo, with concerning reports that at least one of them is being held in solitary confinement.   The experts called for charges against all four defenders to be dropped, for them to be released immediately and unconditionally, and for authorities to cease targeting Mr. Bahgat and EIPR.   “We deeply regret that despite several calls from the United Nations human rights mechanisms and the international community, Egypt continues to use counter-terrorism legislation to target civil society,” the experts added.   Protect human rights defenders   In the statement, the UN rights experts also underscored that vilification of human rights defenders as a threat to society is not only harmful to the defenders, but to all members of Egyptian society.   “Criminalizing those who defend human rights – and those who bring to light violations of human rights – undermines the sanctity of those rights,” they said.   “Human rights defenders and civil society activists must never be penalized for their efforts to ensure the protection of the rights of others … These efforts must not be regarded as terrorism or a public threat. Quite the opposite: We should protect and value them for their contributions.”   * The UN rights experts making the call include the special rapporteurs on the situation of human rights defenders; on the rights of peaceful assembly and association; on human rights while countering terrorism; on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; on the freedom of opinion and expression; on the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; and on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; as well as members of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.   http://news.un.org/en/story/2020/11/1078652   21 Oct. 2020   Hundreds of EU & US lawmakers urge President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to release prisoners of conscience in Egypt. (Amnesty International)   Earlier this week, more than 278 lawmakers from across Europe and the United States sent public letters to Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi with a strong message denouncing the situation of prisoners of conscience in the country. In a show of mounting concern, 84 members of the European Parliament, 138 members of national parliaments across Europe, and 56 members of both chambers of the US Congress urged President al-Sisi to halt the unjust imprisonment of human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers and political activists in Egypt, who have been imprisoned solely for exercising their human rights.   The undersigned organisations consider this to be a timely and much needed step to address the dismal human rights situation in the country and call on the Egyptian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all those detained solely for peacefully exercising their human rights. It is high time for the Egyptian authorities to uphold the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly and to break the cycle of impunity for serious human rights violations.   Particularly at this time of aggravated health risks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the lawmakers called on Egypt to prioritise the human rights of detainees. The letters, issued one after another in the US and Europe, echo similar calls made earlier this year by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN human rights experts and international health bodies, and demonstrate increasing concerns regarding the prevailing climate of impunity in Egypt.   The letters come amid a continued deterioration of human rights in Egypt, just weeks after the Egyptian authorities once again resorted to unlawful force, mass arrests and censorship to crackdown on protests against the deteriorating economic situation. Despite the high risk to their lives, safety and freedom, Egyptians continue to make their voices heard. The government has also instrumentalised the COVID-19 pandemic to further curb fundamental freedoms and clamp down on any criticism of its handling of the health crisis.   http://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/hundreds-of-eu-us-lawmakers-urge-president-abdel-fattah-alsisi-to-release-prisoners-of-conscience-in-egypt/ http://www.dw.com/en/european-lawmakers-call-for-release-of-egypts-political-prisoners/a-55333083 http://www.dw.com/en/egypt-crackdown-intensifies-as-protests-spread-to-rural-poor/a-55184682   19 Nov. 2020   Belarus: UN experts call for probe into violence against protesters   UN human rights experts said today they were gravely concerned by increased reports of mass detentions, intimidation and torture, and called on authorities to conduct a prompt, independent and impartial investigation into the excessive use of force and unlawful retaliation at peaceful protests.   "I strongly condemn large scale violations of the rights of peaceful assembly, freedom of opinion and expression, and right to participate in public affairs by the Belarusian Government," Anais Marin, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus, said.   "The rights of peaceful protesters, human rights defenders, members of civil society, and journalists remain unprotected from disproportionately violent and apparently unlawful actions of security forces."   The experts added that "arrest or detention as punishment for the legitimate exercise of these fundamental freedoms is arbitrary, and the prohibition of arbitrary detention is absolute."   On 15 November, at least 1,200 peaceful protesters were reportedly detained in Minsk and throughout the country. In the capital, security forces used stun grenades and tear gas against peaceful protesters in what has been dubbed "Ploshad Peremen" (“Square of Change”).   The experts said torture and ill-treatment against participants in peaceful protests have become commonplace since the contested 9 August presidential election.   “These violations are coupled with impunity, stemming from the authorities’ unwillingness to conduct proper criminal investigations into allegations of torture, while some lawyers say they have been denied full access to their clients,” the experts said, noting with concern that the authorities were instead quick to open criminal investigations against peaceful protesters and human rights defenders.   Among those detained on 15-16 November, at least 25 were journalists. Twenty-one remain in detention under administrative arrest or awaiting trial. “Journalists and other monitors play a crucial role in promoting accountability, and their detention sends a dangerous signal of impunity,” the experts said. “And in response to their efforts to denounce these well-documented violations, human rights defenders continue to be targeted, intimidated and detained.   "The authorities should conduct a prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigation of the legality of the actions of police officers,” the experts said, adding that "any violation of the absolute and non-derogable prohibition of torture and other ill-treatment should be prosecuted and punished. The prohibition of torture cannot be suspended or limited under any circumstances.”   The Special Rapporteurs called on the Belarusian authorities to ensure that all peaceful protesters, members of civil society, as well as journalists, detained for legitimately exercising their human rights, are promptly released and allowed to challenge the charges brought against them.   "Belarus must ensure the rule of law in its judicial system, and promptly stop repressing its own people", Anaïs Marin said, while reiterating her 13 August and 1 September statements calling upon the authorities to fully comply with fundamental human rights safeguards.   Nov. 2020   Cambodia: UN expert alarmed by reports of mass trial of activists   The UN human rights expert on Cambodia today expressed serious concerns about an imminent mass trial of individuals associated with the disbanded Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).   Rhona Smith, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, said credible information pointed to trials commencing on 26 November of at least 113 individuals summoned by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court. Several others have been summoned for a trial in December.   Most face charges of conspiracy and incitement to create serious chaos to social security, crimes punishable by up to 10 years in jail.   “The mass trials of CNRP activists appear to be politically motivated, lacking clear legal grounds and constitute a serious violation of the due process rights, firmly established by international human rights law,” said Smith, adding that such judicial proceedings appeared to be part of a strategy to intimidate and discredit opponents of the government.   “This is not an isolated episode. Civic and democratic space in Cambodia has continued to shrink and there remains little evidence of political rapprochement and reconciliation.”   In recent months, authorities have resorted to suppressive measures against those affiliated with CNRP. Since June 2019, over 150 people associated with CNRP have been arrested on various charges. Of them, 31 have been arrested since January 2020, with 30 remaining in detention. An additional 42 individuals have been summoned for questioning and subsequently released under judicial supervision this year, the UN expert said.   “Every person must have the right to adequate time and facilities to prepare his or her case.” Smith said.   “As some of the individuals summoned are currently residing outside Cambodia, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the defendants do not have access to relevant materials, including exculpatory material to prepare their defence,” she added.   “I call on the authorities to open up civic space, protect and promote fundamental freedoms, including the rights to assembly and of expression, and to ensure the right to a fair trial for all, as guaranteed by international human rights norms and standards and Cambodian laws,” Smith said. Visit the related web page
	Charities lodge urgent request for UN intervention to prevent attack on advocacy by Hands Off Our Charities, HRLC, agencies Australia   Twelve charities including First Nations, religious and human rights groups have written to three UN Special Rapporteurs requesting urgent intervention to stop new rules being proposed by the Morrison Government which could shut charities down for speaking out.   The UN petition is being made on the basis that the new rules would breach the rights to freedom of expression and assembly, which are protected under international human rights law. The UN Special Rapporteurs have been asked to call on the Australian Government to refrain from introducing the regulations in Parliament.   The proposed new regulations would hand the Charities Commissioner far-reaching powers to deregister charities for the most minor of offences – such as blocking a footpath at a vigil.   They would also give the charities regulator extraordinary powers to shut down a charity if the Commissioner believes it’s likely that a minor offence may occur in the future; or if they believe that something that could be dealt with as a minor offence has occurred, even if no charge has been made.   The Charities Commissioner would also be able to deregister a charity preemptively if they believe that it lacks “internal control procedures” to demonstrate its compliance with the new laws, or that it has not adequately documented these procedures.   To prove compliance, charities’ time and donations will be tied up in unprecedented red tape and legal fees, depriving communities of vital support.   Human Rights Law Centre Senior Lawyer Alice Drury said:   “These rules would silence charities at a time when their advocacy is more crucial than ever, as charities support Australian communities through unprecedented crises like catastrophic bushfires and the pandemic. These proposed laws are a case of extreme overreach, and have no place in a democracy.”   Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service Acting CEO George Selvanera said:   “The proposed changes to charity regulations jeopardise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities’ self-determination.   Already marginalised communities will be cut off from vital support because charitable organisations will not be able to provide the full extent of their services out of fear that the government will weaponise the proposed charity regulations. Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations would be silenced, their engagement in public debate curtailed. We need all the support we can get to stop the proposed laws.”   The Fred Hollows Foundation CEO Ian Wishart said:   “Fred Hollows was well known for speaking out and demanding action from our political leaders. It’s a key role of charities to advocate for those who don’t have a voice. These laws limit the ability of charities to raise important issues and hold people in power to account. They have no place anywhere in the world, let alone Australia, where freedom of assembly and political participation, and basic human rights, are the cornerstone of our democratic society.”   Executive Director of Anglicare Australia Kasy Chambers said:   “Charity is not just about helping people in poverty. It’s about creating a country where poverty doesn’t exist. That’s why we need to be able to stand up for the people we work with. But these rules are designed to stop organisations like Anglicare Australia from speaking up for our communities and our country by punishing us – and shutting us down for arbitrary reasons.   “They are not just an attack on charities. They are an attack on democracy. We’re calling on the Government to withdraw these changes and end these attacks for good.”   Amnesty International Australia National Director, Sam Klintworth, said:   “The most important social changes – like women winning the right to vote, First Australians being classified as people instead of fauna, the five-day working week – are all rights fought for with people power. The idea that peaceful protest could lead to organisations like Amnesty being deregistered is unthinkable in a country that prides itself on giving everyone a fair go.”   http://hooc.org.au/australian-charities-and-not-for-profits-commission-acnc-campaign/ http://hooc.org.au/ http://www.hrlc.org.au/news/2021/7/21/charities-lodge-urgent-request-for-un-intervention-to-prevent-attack-on-advocacy http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jan/28/extensive-reforms-needed-to-curb-corporate-power-in-australian-politics-human-rights-group-says http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/feb/09/grace-tame-claims-she-received-a-threatening-phone-call-warning-her-not-to-criticise-pm http://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/podcast/morrisons-covid-hotline-sting http://www.hrlc.org.au/reports/2022/1/31/selling-out-how-powerful-industries-corrupt-our-democracy Visit the related web page
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