PUBLISHED: APRIL 1, 2011

ARTICLE 19, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), and the World Movement for Democracy welcome the appointment of Maina Kiai as the Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association for the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). His appointment comes at a crucial time when issues related to freedom of assembly are at the core of recent developments in North Africa, the Middle East, and beyond.

We have no doubt that Mr. Kiai, who has over 20 years of experience in human rights advocacy and policy development in Africa and around the world, will execute the responsibilities of the Special Rapporteur in an independent, impartial, objective, principled, and diligent manner.

At a time when the rights to freedom of assembly and association are increasingly under threat around the world, Mr. Kiai’s mandate is of the highest importance. We expect him to put the issues of freedom of assembly and association at the center of the UN’s priorities and to further deepen the UN’s commitment to protecting civic participation in political and social development.

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