A/HRC/39/28 C. Right to participate in public affairs at the supranational level, including in international organizations 95. The Human Rights Committee, in its general comment No. 25, recognized that the right to take part in the conduct of public affairs also covers the formulation and implementation of policy at the international and regional levels. Despite the importance of participation at the international level, the workings of international organizations continue to be opaque for most people.7 96. Decision-making at the regional and international levels may have a significant effect on the realization of human rights, as such decision-making has an impact on national legislation, policies and practices. It is thus necessary that such decisions are made in a transparent and accountable manner, with the participation of those who will be affected by those decisions, and in an environment respectful of public freedoms, which are fundamental and should also be protected at the international level. Civil society actors choosing to participate in regional and international meetings must be safe and not be subject to acts of reprisal. 97. Those who participate at the supranational level often bring local and national concerns to the attention of the international community, thus connecting the international and local levels. For example, civil society actors have been instrumental in raising awareness at the regional and international levels of the rights of groups that are marginalized or discriminated against, and in empowering and giving voice to them. Such participation has also contributed to challenging social norms and the organizational culture of regional and international organizations. 98. The forms and modalities of the participation of rights holders at the international level might vary according to the format and rules of the international forum concerned, and the nature and phase of the process. Participation may be ensured through different means, including the granting of observer, consultative or participatory status; advisory committees open to relevant stakeholders; forums and dialogues; webcasting of events; and general calls for comments. For rights holders to participate effectively at the international level, access to information is indispensable. Practical recommendations 99. States should respect, protect and facilitate the rights to freedom of expression and to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in connection with the exercise of the right to participate at the international and regional levels. 100. Participation of civil society actors in meetings of international organizations, mechanisms and other forums, at all relevant stages of a decision-making process, should be allowed and proactively encouraged. 101. Access to international and regional forums should be provided without discrimination of any kind. 102. States should end all acts of intimidation and reprisals against civil society actors engaging or seeking to engage with international forums, and/or participating in any related event. When acts of intimidation or reprisals take place, States should investigate all allegations, provide effective remedies and adopt and implement preventive measures to prevent their recurrence Understanding and addressing gender-specific forms of reprisal is key in this context. 103. States should establish objective, consistent and transparent criteria for expeditiously granting to civil society organizations observer, consultative or participatory status in international organizations. Organizations having their 7 16 In the context of the present draft guidelines, the terms “international organizations”, “participation at the international level” and “international meetings and forums” should be understood as including the regional level.