Preventing torture in the context of public assemblies
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The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association are cornerstones of a democratic society and are interrelated with other fundamental freedoms. However, too often, people attending or wishing to attend demonstrations become victims of ill-treatment, or even acts of torture, by law enforcement officials. Upholding the right to peaceful assembly relies on strengthening police professionalism and accountability, as well as ensuring strategies to prevent torture and ill-treatment. In this regard, the use of force in public assemblies, including the use of law enforcement equipment, should be closely monitored for torture prevention.
On 23 June, ODIHR and APT will organize a public webinar to discuss the importance of strengthening police accountability and putting in place strategies to prevent torture and other ill-treatment to uphold the right of citizens to assemble peacefully. Experts, including the Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association, will discuss challenges and good practices related to preventing torture and ill-treatment during and after public assemblies.
The main objectives of the webinar are to:
- identify the risks of torture and ill-treatment, including excessive use of force by law enforcement officials, and how to mitigate them prior, during and after public assemblies;
- exchange experiences on challenges and good practices related to preventing torture in the context of public demonstration and peaceful assembly.
Programme
The workshop will start with a presentation by Clement Nyaletsossi Voule, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association. It will be followed by a panel discussion among Dr. Anja Biener, Police and Human Rights Programme expert at Amnesty International, Yevgeniy Zhovtis, member of the OSCE/ODIHR Panel of Experts on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Director of the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law, and Louise Edwards, Programmes and Research Director at the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum. An interactive session with the public will follow.
The webinar is open to the public and intended for anyone who is interested in the topic of torture prevention in the context of freedom of peaceful assembly.
This workshop is part of ODIHR’s ongoing work to assist participating States in the fight against torture.