Event information

5 July 2021, 15:00-16:30

Downloads

Flyer >

Peaceful Protest: Use of Force by States in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Event

Police officers during a demonstration Police officers during a demonstration

The exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, freedom of expression and of participation in the conduct of public affairs, including through peaceful protests, is a legitimate means to express grievances. It is expected that the social, economic and cultural impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will lead to rising number of such protests globally.

The most visible feature of states’ responses to peaceful protests is the use of force by law enforcement officials and this has remained true since the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This Geneva Human Rights Platform online side-event during the 47th session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council – co-organized with the Permanent Missions of Switzerland and of Costa Rica to the UN in Geneva – will discuss the use of force by states in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and will analyze the kind of weapons used, identify trends and propose avenues for further consideration and action.

Opening

  • Felix Kirchmeier, Executive Director of the Geneva Human Rights Platform

Introductory Remarks

  • Jürg Lauber, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva

Moderation

  • Catalina Devandas, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva

Panelists

  • Clément Voule, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association
  • Neil Corney, Research Associate at the Omega Research Foundation
  • Luciana Pol, Senior Fellow Security Policy and Human Rights at the Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (CELS)

Video

Peaceful Protest: Use of Force by States in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

This online side-event during the 47th session of the UN Human Rights Council discussed the use of force by states in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and analyzed the kind of weapons used, identify trends and propose avenues for further consideration and action.

 

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Online folders News

New Publication Assesses Innovative Digital Human Rights Tracking Tools and Databases

20 March 2023

The new Working Paper published by our Geneva Human Rights Platform identifies convergences, challenges and best practices related to innovative digital human rights tracking tools and databases.

Read more

Training course on the UPR News

A Successful First Year for the GHRP Training Hub

16 December 2022

In 2022, the new Training Hub of the Geneva Human Rights Platform (GHRP) conducted seven training courses – two regular courses and five customized courses – in Geneva, online and in the field.

Read more

Event

Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 75: Reimagining Protection for a World in Turmoil

12 June 2023, 14:00-15:30

This event, co-organized with Amnesty International, will discuss the gains made since the UDHR adoption, challenges to the international normative framework on human rights and what the international community needs to do for a better future.

Read more

Event

Localizing SDGs and human rights through the UN Universal Periodic Review

8 June 2023, 13:15-14:15

This side event at the UN Habitat Assembly in Nairobi will discuss how local and regional governments localize the SDGs and fulfil human rights on the ground and their increased international visibility through the UPR.

Read more

Open dump Training

Protecting Human Rights and the Environment

18-22 September 2023

This training course will explore the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights, as well as with their implementation and enforcement mechanisms; and provide practical insights into the different UN human rights mechanisms pertinent to advancing environmental issues and protecting environmental human rights defenders.

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

13-17 November 2023

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

Online folders Project

Digital Human Rights Tracking Tools and Databases

Started in March 2023

This initiative wishes to contribute to better and more coordinated implementation, reporting and follow-up of international human rights recommendations through a global study on digital human rights tracking tools and databases.

Read more

View of a session of the UN Human Rights Council Project

Human Rights Conversations

Started in January 2020

A series of events aimed at discussing contemporary issues and challenges related to the promotion and protection of human rights in Geneva and beyond.

Read more

Cover page of the research brief Publication

Climate Change in the Security Council: Obstacles, Opportunities, and Options

published on May 2023

Erica Harper, Adam Day

Read more