The UN Special Rapporteurs on the rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, the situation of human rights defenders and freedom of opinion and expression said in a joint news release in Geneva. “We are very concerned about the challenging and restrictive environment which defenders and civil society currently face in the country.”
The experts said that Amendments to the law on “Freedom of Assembly” adopted in 2012 have tightened the existing restrictions to the right to assemble peacefully, including by increasing penalties for those organizing rallies. According to them, all demonstrations complying with international human rights standards should be allowed and peaceful gatherings should not face the use of excessive force and administrative detention against demonstrators, even if such assemblies are not authorized.
The UN representatives urged the Government to consider the implementation of its 2012 National Action Plan commitment to decriminalize defamation.
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