The resolution lists the international human rights documents supporting this right as follows ... “ Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, Reaffirming the human rights and fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and relevant international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights”

The resolution notes previous relevant reports of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and of the Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy! Further noting that privacy online is important for the realization of the right to freedom of expression and to hold opinions without interference, and the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

The resolution expresses serious concern at all human rights violations and abuses committed against persons for exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms on the Internet, and the impunity for these violations and abuses, Concerned also at measures in violation of international human rights law that aim to or that intentionally prevent or disrupt access to or dissemination of information online. Calls on states to protect human rights online, in particular freedom of opinion and expression!

In this context, ICSFT a would like to urge the governments’ of Kuwait, Saudi, Bahrain, UAE to stop their reprisal campaign against human rights defenders and Civil society organizations for the mere fact of exercising their right to freedom of expression and assembly! We also call on these countries to immediately drop politically motivated charges and release HRDs including Nabeel Rajab, Sheikh Al Salman, and Ahmed Mansoor. Opinion is not a crime! As a member state of this human rights council, your commitment for human right should be put in to practice outside of your rhetorical and utopian declarations in geneva.

⇒ A_HRC_38_L10_rev1