A/HRC/27/29 C. Human rights linked to participation: the freedoms of assembly, association and expression and the rights to information and education 22. All human rights are indivisible, interrelated and interdependent. There are, however, several human rights that play a direct role in supporting and enabling equal and inclusive participation in political and public affairs.17 The freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, opinion and expression and the rights to information and education are closely linked to the realization of rights to participate in political and public life. Discrimination and other barriers to the full realization of these supporting rights will, therefore, undermine efforts to ensure the equal enjoyment of other political and public participation rights. 23. The freedom of peaceful assembly includes the right to hold meetings, sit-ins, strikes, rallies, events or protests and encompasses virtual assemblies that take place online.18 Peaceful assemblies “play a vibrant role in mobilizing the population and in formulating grievances and aspirations, facilitating the celebration of events and, importantly, in influencing States’ public policy” (A/HRC/20/27, para. 24). 24. Freedom of association covers the right to form and join organizations, political parties, trade unions and other civil society associations concerned with political and public affairs.19 The important role of civil society actors – particularly those that advocate for human rights, including the rights of minorities or marginalized groups – in the promotion and protection of all human rights is acknowledged in a number of human rights instruments as well as in the practice of the international human rights mechanisms.20 It has been observed that the activities of civil society organizations and associations concerned with issues of public interest have been subjected to discriminatory restrictions related to registration requirements or sources of financing (see A/HRC/23/39 and A/HRC/26/29). 25. Restrictions on freedoms of peaceful assembly and association are frequently tightened during electoral periods or in situations of political transition or social conflict. As the Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and association pointed out, these contexts may result in prohibitions on peaceful assembly and association as well as the harassment and intimidation of individuals engaged in civic activism (A/HRC/20/27, paras. 22–23). 26. The right to freedom of expression is guaranteed in article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This right encompasses the freedom to debate 17 18 19 20 Human Rights Committee, General Comment No. 25, para. 8: “Citizens also take part in the conduct of public affairs by exerting influence through public debate and dialogue with their representatives or through their capacity to organize themselves. This participation is supported by ensuring freedom of expression, assembly and association.” Human Rights Committee, General Comment No. 34 (2011), para. 12; and A/66/290. See for example, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, article 22; International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, article 8 (1)(a); article 7 (c) of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; and International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention concerning Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise No. 87 (1948). See Human Rights Council resolutions 15/21 (2010), 21/16 (2012) and 24/5 (2013); and Commentary to the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, 2011, available from http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/SRHRDefenders/Pages/CommentarytotheDeclarationonHumanRight sDefenders.aspx. 7