UN Special Rapporteur Releases Second Report Focusing on CSOs and Foreign Funding
31 May 2013
Maina Kiai, the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, presented his second thematic report to the United Nations Human Rights Council on May 30. On May 31, there will be an interactive dialogue with states, followed by a side event organized by ICNL in conjunction with Mr. Kiai and various civil society partners.
The report focuses on the ability of civil society organizations to seek, secure, and utilize financial resources from international, foreign and domestic sources. The report also outlines practical guidelines to facilitate peaceful assemblies.
ICNL played a key role in the preparation of the report, both in the development of the report’s theoretical framework and in the drafting process. In the initial preparation stages of the report, ICNL co-organized a consultation in Kenya between the UN Special Rapporteur and key stakeholders. ICNL also contributed substantive input to various sections of the report, drawing from our own previous work on CSOs and foreign funding.
“We commend the UN Special Rapporteur for this groundbreaking report” said ICNL President Douglas Rutzen. “It’s an exceptionally important report, clearly articulating a set of international norms protecting the right of civil society organizations to seek, receive, and use resources from international and foreign sources.”
ICNL is pleased to provide ongoing support to the UN Special Rapporteur for his third thematic report, which will focus on the freedoms of association and assembly within the context of elections.
Relevant Links
UN Special Rapporteur 2nd Thematic Report