Update: CIHRS Sets a Precedent, Human Rights Defender Speaks Via Skype at UN Side Event

In International Advocacy Program by

 

Today, September 21st, a Side Event entitled “Reprisals against persons that have cooperated with the UN and its mechanisms and procedures in the field of human rights: Effective responses by the Human Rights Council” was held at the UN Human Rights Council’s headquarters in Geneva. The event was organized by Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) in partnership with Amnesty International, Conectas Direitos Humanos, CIVICUS – World Alliance for Citizen Participation, International Federation for Human Rights, Forum Asia, Human Rights Watch, Human Rights House Foundation, and International Service for Human Rights.

 

 

During the event Nabeel Rajab, the President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights joined the discussion via Skype, a first for the Human Rights Council.  Mariam Al-Khawaja, also of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, was present at the event.  Both Rajab and Al-Khawaja presented evidence and testimonies on the recent crackdown in Bahrain against human rights defenders, specifically those who had been targeted for their participation in United Nations human rights mechanisms, including Laila Dashti, who was stopped at the airport on the 19th September and prevented from traveling to Geneva to speak at this side event.

 

The invitation for the event is available on the following link 

Share this Post