A/HRC/27/33 I. Introduction 1. On 11 March 2014, at its twenty-fifth session, the Human Rights Council held a panel discussion on the importance of the promotion and protection of civil society space, pursuant to Council resolution 24/21. 2. Pursuant to the request of the Human Rights Council, the panel discussion aimed at, inter alia, contributing to the identification of challenges facing States in their efforts to ensure space for civil society and lessons learned, as well as good practices. 3. In its resolution 24/21, the Human Rights Council requested the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to liaise with States, relevant United Nations bodies and agencies, relevant special procedures, civil society and other stakeholders, with a view to ensuring their participation in the panel discussion. The Office was also requested to prepare a summary, to be presented to the Council at its twentyseventh session. The present summary was prepared pursuant to that request. 4. The panel discussion was chaired by the President of the Human Rights Council and moderated by the human rights lawyer and pro-democracy campaigner, Hina Jilani. The panel was addressed by the Secretary-General and opened by the Deputy United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The panellists were a member of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and member of the Parliament of Turkey, Safak Pavey; the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue; Deeyah Khan, a producer of films, music and art; and human rights defender and Honorary President of the Tunisian League for Human Rights, Mokhtar Trifi. 5. To render the Human Rights Council more accessible to persons with disabilities and to encourage their participation in the work of the Council as fully as possible, international sign language interpretation and captioning were provided and webcast. Physical accessibility was promoted by making facilities in the meeting room wheelchairfriendly. Braille printing was available on request. II. Statements by the Secretary-General and the Deputy United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and contributions by the moderator and panellists A. Secretary-General 6. The Secretary-General, in his opening remarks delivered in a video-recorded message, emphasized the fact that a free and independent civil society constituted the bedrock of democratic and responsive governance. Civil society brought vital issues to the fore, helped to make the case for stronger protection of human rights, pushed for more equal societies and mobilized action to address violations and injustice. He stressed the fact that civil society was an indispensable partner of the United Nations. 7. The Secretary-General was concerned that, in campaigning to improve the lives of others, many individuals often risked their lives. Civil society actors must be able to do their work freely, independently, safe from fear, intimidation or retaliation. He counted on the full commitment of States and the international community, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations family, to engage in collective action to denounce reprisals, defend free voices and protect those targeted. In 3