A/HRC/35/28 groups and associations in the diaspora informed the creation of the United Nations commission of inquiry on human rights in Eritrea.30 2. Supporting participation and empowerment 47. Citizens have the right to participate in public affairs, directly or indirectly, by holding office or decision-making positions, or by choosing representatives to do so on their behalf.31 Civil society offers a suitable channel for people to get involved and take action on issues that resonate with them. In doing so, people can individually or collectively exercise more control over their livelihoods and personal well-being, influence the exercise of political power, manage their natural resources and build resilient societies for the future. 48. The Special Rapporteur has affirmed the important role that civil society organizations play in the context of elections by advocating for the interests of their beneficiaries, protecting democratic standards and holding authorities accountable (see A/68/299, paras. 42-43). Civil society also engages in political participation in other ways. In Tunisia, following the uprisings, a new constitution was considered to be an essential part of a successful transition architecture. Despite the challenging political climate, civil society groups played an important role in advocating for, and enhancing the transparency of, the drafting and deliberation process. Some groups organized town hall meetings and information sessions throughout the country, encouraging dialogue between citizens and National Constituent Assembly members, while others conducted awareness-raising campaigns, participated in strikes and protests and contributed their expertise and resources to the process. 32 Indeed, the constitution-making processes in Kenya, Somalia and Zimbabwe were driven by civil society organizations. 33 49. In the Syrian Arab Republic, an emboldened civil society has emerged amidst the conflict and destruction that followed the uprising, determined to continue demands for democratic reform. Civil society groups and individuals are documenting human rights violations committed by combatants, engaging with armed groups to encourage adherence to a code of conduct, providing medical care and offering services such as psychosocial support, language courses and skills training. Civil society continues to demonstrate its resourcefulness in providing the tools and environments needed to survive the current crisis and by laying the foundations for democracy, justice and a pluralistic society. 34 50. The ability and capacity to aggregate voices is especially important for marginalized communities. In this regard, civil society has a vast résumé of accomplishments. Civil society groups consisting of, and working with, an array of marginalized groups — including indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, young people and children, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people, minority groups, internally displaced persons and non-nationals, including refugees, asylum seekers and migrant workers — have made tremendous progress in highlighting the disenfranchisement of these groups and in protecting their rights. In Colombia, for instance, the Comisión Étnica para la Paz y la Defensa de los Derechos Territoriales ensured that Afro and indigenous peoples took part in the peace process and their participation resulted in a chapter of the final peace agreement focusing on ethnicity.35 51. Civil society action has enabled the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community to achieve tremendous advances in human rights, notably in the area of marriage equality. Largely thanks to that community’s advocacy efforts, more than 20 30 31 32 33 34 35 12 See www.hrw.org/news/2014/09/26/eritrea-un-names-commission-inquiry. General comment No. 25 (1996) on participation in public affairs and the right to vote. See www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/news/peace_publications/democracy/tunisia-constitutionmaking-process.pdf. Contribution from Forum Syd (Sweden) and Women and Law in Southern Africa Research and Education Trust (Zimbabwe). See www.opendemocracy.net/arab-awakening/hania-mourtada-penny-green/syrian-activistsrepairing-fabric-of-civil-society-even-as-it-comes-undone. Contribution from Comisión Étnica para la Paz y la Defensa de los Derechos Territoriales.