Nigeria Votes beside UN Resolution To Protect Human Rights Defenders
UN General Assembly on
Wednesday, November 25,
adopted a resolution which seeks to protect those who
face risks and attacks for their work to defend and promote
human rights.
The resolution includes a number of new, important and
substantive provisions, including as to the vital role of
advocacy and the work of human rights defenders in
contributing to sustainable
development and the realisation of economic, social and
cultural rights, and as to the responsibilities of business
enterprises with respect to engaging, consulting and
protecting defenders.
Russia, China, Nigeria, Kenya,Myanmar and South Africa
were among countries that voted against the resolution.
Nigeria said that they saw 'no need' for the resolution,
effectively denying the importance of independent civil
society and dissent to democracy and development. China
explained that it had ‘no choice’ but to vote against it as
'certain western countries' use the protection of defenders
as an excuse to 'interfere in the internal affairs of
developing countries and disrupt their social stability'.
While congratulating the 144 countries that stood with
human rights defenders, International Service for Human
Rights, Programme Manager and Legal Counsel.
Madeleine Sinclair said they are disappointed with the 14
countries that voted against the resolution and those who
declined.
"We are extremely disappointed that 14 countries voted
against the text and that a further 40 States took the
cowardly position of abstaining. We agree with the
Norwegian sponsors of the text who stated that both votes
against the resolution and abstentions amount to a failure
to recognise the important role of defenders and the need
for their protection."
"It is particularly disappointing to see current and
incoming members of the Human Rights Council either
abstaining or voting no on the resolution. The votes of
South Africa and Myanmar are a complete betrayal of the
many brave human rights defenders who have played such
a vital role in the transitions in those States" she added.
UN General Assembly on
Wednesday, November 25,
adopted a resolution which seeks to protect those who
face risks and attacks for their work to defend and promote
human rights.
The resolution includes a number of new, important and
substantive provisions, including as to the vital role of
advocacy and the work of human rights defenders in
contributing to sustainable
development and the realisation of economic, social and
cultural rights, and as to the responsibilities of business
enterprises with respect to engaging, consulting and
protecting defenders.
Russia, China, Nigeria, Kenya,Myanmar and South Africa
were among countries that voted against the resolution.
Nigeria said that they saw 'no need' for the resolution,
effectively denying the importance of independent civil
society and dissent to democracy and development. China
explained that it had ‘no choice’ but to vote against it as
'certain western countries' use the protection of defenders
as an excuse to 'interfere in the internal affairs of
developing countries and disrupt their social stability'.
While congratulating the 144 countries that stood with
human rights defenders, International Service for Human
Rights, Programme Manager and Legal Counsel.
Madeleine Sinclair said they are disappointed with the 14
countries that voted against the resolution and those who
declined.
"We are extremely disappointed that 14 countries voted
against the text and that a further 40 States took the
cowardly position of abstaining. We agree with the
Norwegian sponsors of the text who stated that both votes
against the resolution and abstentions amount to a failure
to recognise the important role of defenders and the need
for their protection."
"It is particularly disappointing to see current and
incoming members of the Human Rights Council either
abstaining or voting no on the resolution. The votes of
South Africa and Myanmar are a complete betrayal of the
many brave human rights defenders who have played such
a vital role in the transitions in those States" she added.
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