UN Human Rights Experts Under Threat in Eritrea, Burundi, and the Philippines
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed alarm over threats to special rapporteurs in Eritrea, Burundi, and the Philippines. Eritrean official attacks on human rights expert Sheila Keetharuth and Burundian threats against a Commission of Inquiry report were highlighted, alongside similar public threats faced by Philippine rapporteur Agnes Callamard, indicating a growing trend of state hostility towards UN oversight mechanisms.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has voiced serious concerns regarding threats directed at its special rapporteurs in Eritrea, Burundi, and the Philippines. A statement released on November 21 emphasized the alarming behavior of some states that seek to undermine the vital mechanisms established by the Human Rights Council, consisting of 47 member nations. In Eritrea, verbal assaults were launched against human rights expert, Ms. Sheila Keetharuth, following her report indicating the deterioration of human rights conditions in the nation. During a session in June at the Human Rights Council, the Eritrean Ambassador labeled Ms. Keetharuth as a ‘naked Empress with no clothes’ and accused her of conducting a witch-hunt as a self-declared ‘Viceroy over Eritrea.’ It has been reiterated that Ms. Keetharuth has been diligently fulfilling her mandate from the UN Human Rights Council and should not experience such disparaging personal attacks from government representatives. Regarding Burundi, the UN reported filing a complaint after the government’s ambassador threatened the authors of a recent report submitted by a Commission of Inquiry investigating human rights concerns in the country. The High Commissioner criticized this intimidating behavior, stressing that it contravenes Article VI of the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. He called upon Burundi’s government to reconsider its stance on cooperating with the International Commission of Inquiry. The Philippines also featured in this discussion, where President Duterte and his affiliates have been accused of publicly threatening the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, Ms. Agnes Callamard.
The article highlights an issue of significant importance concerning the threats and hostility faced by United Nations human rights experts. Such adverse actions are viewed as attempts by various states to delegitimize oversight mechanisms established for upholding human rights, thereby creating an environment where human rights violations can proliferate without accountability. The individuals targeted are recognized by the UN as critical voices advocating for vulnerable populations in their respective countries. The behavior of the states in question from Eritrea, Burundi, and the Philippines raises concerns about the erosion of independent human rights oversight and the potential impacts on global human rights advocacy.
In summary, the threats against UN human rights experts from Eritrea, Burundi, and the Philippines underscore a troubling trend of governmental hostility towards accountability mechanisms established to protect human rights. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has unequivocally condemned these actions, urging affected governments to reconsider their approaches and uphold their obligations to cooperate with UN mechanisms. Failure to do so risks not only the safety of individuals involved in human rights reporting but also the integrity of international human rights standards.
Original Source: www.africanews.com
