February 4, 2014 – The World Movement for Democracy (WMD) co-hosted with the Asia Democracy Network (ADN) the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association (FoAA) Asia Regional Consultation with United Nations Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai in Singapore. To get a better understanding of situation on the ground on FoAA and include an accurate account to his next thematic report for the UN Human Rights Council, a panel of activists and rights defenders was gathered from across the Asian region. The consultation focused on groups most at risk of retribution.
The two day consultation was fruitful and provided a platform for free dialogue. Special Rapporteur Kiai and the participants were able to share and listen to the realities of the effort and limitations of civil society encounters due to restrictions of FoAA. The dire situation of human rights violations and abuses through institutionalized restrictions of FoAA in countries like Sri Lanka and Cambodia were highlighted.
More information on the consultation and the activities of Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai can be found on www.freeassembly.net.
