The Right to Dissent must be at the Heart of Democracies

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AEPF’s 10-country study reveals that ‘Dissent is at the heart of Democracy’ (Download)

In this session, we launched a 10 country study that analysed trends on how, who and why dissent is being throttled in these countries. It gives examples of laws and methods being used to curb dissent and what mechanisms are employed and how they curb democratic voices. The publication has a theoretical framework and conclusion that show broad trends in these countries.

The aim of this plenary session was to launch a call for a global coalition that can plan and initiate a campaign to revitalise the universal rights to speech, expression, peaceful assembly and dissent. We wanted to raise awareness through advocacy amongst people about the inter linkages between rights, participatory democracy, social justice and human development.

We wanted to bring to the notice of the global community the voices that are being oppressed and cannot be heard in some specific countries; to bring international pressure on the systematic abuse by states of individual and collective liberties.

In this session we also wanted to form and interlink the community of jurists, activists, Rights Defenders and organizations for collective action against official and “extra-official” measures of oppression, silencing and persecution.

Lastly, we linked and advocated for the freedoms of expression and speech, and the right to information with deepening democracy.

Speakers: 

• Kanhaiya Kumar: Youth leader, Social Activist & Former President of JNU Student Union (India)
• Hamid Mir: Journalist, columnist, author, host of political talk show on Geo News (Pakistan)
• Fionnuala Ni Aolain: UN Special Rapporteur on the Protection & Promotion of Human Rights while Countering Terrorism (Ireland)
• Farooq Tariq: Activist, Kisan Rabita Committee & AEPF (Pakistan)
• Angkhana Nilapaijit: Founder & Chairwomen, Justice for Peace Foundation (Thailand)
• Charles Santiago: Member of Parliament (Malaysia)
• Josef Benedict: Researcher with CIVICUS (Malaysia)
• Andrea Giorgetta: Asia Director of FIDH (Italy)
• Vrinda Grover: Lawyer, feminist & human rights activist (India)
• Maria Ressa: Journalist, Author, Nobel Peace Prize Nominee 2021 & Time’s Person of the Year 2018 (Philippines)
• Farid Hafez: Political Scientist (Austria)
• Sofia Monsalve: Secretary General of FIAN International (Columbia)

Editor of the Report: Roeline Knottnerus (Netherlands)

Moderators: Shalmali Guttal (India) & Andy Rutherford (UK)

Organisers:AEPF Cluster on Participatory Democracy,Human Right & Migrant Rights