Russia’s human rights record, disturbing global trends threatening civil society and the issue of Western Sahara were among the issues Right Livelihood and Laureates drew attention to during the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva over the past month.
Here’s a summary of statements we made together with Laureates:
Russia’s alarming human rights record
The United Nations should monitor human rights violations by Russia and suspend the country’s membership on the UN Human Rights Council, we said, noting the Russian government’s increasing repression against its own people and abroad.
The UN should monitor human rights violations by #Russia after its gov't put unprecedented restrictions on civic space, we told the UN Human Rights Council.
Also, 🇷🇺 shouldn't sit on the Human Rights Council given its conduct at home & abroad!
➡️ https://t.co/MktmB0uohh #HRC49 pic.twitter.com/gaxH9P6kMA
— Right Livelihood (@rightlivelihood) March 24, 2022
Systematic eradication of civil society in Belarus
The international community must support civil society in Belarus by ensuring justice and accountability after the country has systematically eradicated all human rights organisations over the past year, we told the Council together with Laureate organisation Viasna.
The Belarusian gov't is systematically eradicating civil society, we told the UN Human Rights Council together w/ @viasna96.
“Zero: this is, in fact, the number of legally operating human rights organisations left in #Belarus,” we warned.
➡️ https://t.co/J7OVos0qWi #HRC49 pic.twitter.com/uBGgfXgYK2
— Right Livelihood (@rightlivelihood) March 18, 2022
Imprisonment of civil society activists amidst growing pressures
Civil society activists face imprisonment in many countries as the crackdown on civic space continues to intensify, we warned. In particular, we highlighted the cases of 2018 Laureates Mohammed al-Qahtani and Waleed Abu al-Khair in Saudi Arabia, 2020 Laureate Nasrin Sotoudeh in Iran and seven members of 2020 Laureate organisation Human Rights Center “Viasna” in Belarus who are all currently behind bars.
More and more countries imprison civil society activists to silence opposition, we warned the UN Human Rights Council.
We specifically highlighted #RightLivelihood Laureates @MFQahtani, @WaleedAbulkhair, Nasrin Sotoudeh and @viasna96.
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/iNw9FNaWy0 #HRC49 pic.twitter.com/5KgvOeMZQL
— Right Livelihood (@rightlivelihood) March 17, 2022
Dire human rights situation in Western Sahara
United Nations observers should be sent to Western Sahara to monitor the ever-worsening human rights situation, we said together with the Sahrawi Organ Against the Moroccan Occupation (ISACOM).
The UN should send observers to #WesternSahara, we told @mbachelet in a joint statement w/ @IsacomSaharaui.
“It is time for your Office to take a stand…and show the Sahrawi people that you don’t stand with the oppressor,” the statement urged.
➡️ https://t.co/jXVLbFBnLY #HRC49 pic.twitter.com/R2uBD6u2eF
— Right Livelihood (@rightlivelihood) March 10, 2022
The impact of illegal mining on Indigenous peoples in Brazil
Illegal mining is posing a serious threat to the lives, well-being and environment of indigenous peoples in Brazil, we said in a joint statement with Laureate organisation Survival, urging the country to protect indigenous territories from such harmful practices.
Brazil must remove all illegal miners and protect indigenous lands, we told the UN Human Rights Council together w/ @Survival.
Illegal mining, which often contaminates areas with mercury, threatens the lives & environment of #IndigenousPeoples.
➡️ https://t.co/oVVZK6SFCc #HRC49 pic.twitter.com/ILOJS13w5i
— Right Livelihood (@rightlivelihood) March 11, 2022
Indigenous peoples in Nicaragua under threat by armed settlers
Indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples in Nicaragua are experiencing alarming levels of land grabs and violent attacks by illegal armed settlers, we said. We called on the UN Human Rights Council to ensure their protection.
Indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples in #Nicaragua face land-grabs and violent attacks by illegal armed settlers at alarming levels.
Together with @CejudhcanH, we're calling on the UN Human Rights Council to help protect them!
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/Eez14CDFRs #HRC49 pic.twitter.com/zIFZ6f61Md
— Right Livelihood (@rightlivelihood) March 8, 2022
