PRESS RELEASE : UN Human Rights Council 57 – UK Statement for UN Report on Reprisals [September 2024]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 September 2024.

Interactive Dialogue on the UN Secretary General’s Report on Reprisals. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

Thank you, Mr President, and thank you to the Secretary General for his tireless work to highlight continuing efforts to silence those who cooperate with the UN to defend human rights.

The UK pays tribute to these courageous individuals.

This time last year, we highlighted the intimidation and harassment faced by the son of Jimmy Lai, Sebastien, and his international legal team, for their engagement with this Council. We are deeply troubled that such tactics appear to have continued, including death and rape threats and repeated attempts to hack email and bank accounts as set out in this year’s report.

In Belarus, members of the Congress of Democratic Trade Unions have been detained for advocating for workers’ rights and engaging with the International Labour Organization.  Delegates of the Human Rights Centre Viasna face years in prison for cooperating with UN mechanisms.

In Vietnam, author and journalist Pham Doan Trang remains in detention for her work to advance human rights, including through her engagement with the UN.

And in Russia, the authorities have dissolved the NGO “Man and Law” citing its engagement with the UN.

Mr President, a conservative figure of 300 human rights defenders lost their lives in 2023; what can be done to reduce this terrible toll?

Thank you.