Geneva, The UN Human Rights Committee has reported a significant increase in individual complaints alleging violations of freedom of expression and political rights, with the number of cases reaching a record high. The Committee, which oversees compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, anticipates an even greater influx of such complaints during this year’s unprecedented global election activities.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Committee is currently reviewing 1,321 individual complaints, with 268 new cases registered in 2023 alone. This marks a consistent rise over the past five years. The Committee’s mandate allows it to examine grievances from individuals or groups alleging violations by State parties to the Covenant, as outlined in the Optional Protocol.
In its latest session held in November 2023, the Committee reviewed 54 cases, totaling 163 for the year. These cases spanned a range of issues, including arbitrary detention, linguistic rights, electoral rights, and the right to a fair trial, among others, originating from 20 different States parties. Notably, the Committee identified violations in 22 cases, with a significant number related to the freedom of expression or the right to peaceful assembly and political rights.
Tania Abdo Rocholl, Chair of the Committee, highlighted the concerning trend of States parties increasingly restricting civic freedoms, which is especially evident in the context of peaceful assemblies and demands for participation. A notable case involved a violation by Belarus under its Law on Countering Extremism, where an individual was prosecuted for sharing a link to an online article on social media. The Committee found this to be a breach of the right to freedom of expression, critiquing the absence of an individual assessment of the article’s threat to national security or public safety.
Another case against Kyrgyzstan involved the editor-in-chief of an internet news portal who faced legal action for publishing critical remarks about the then-president. The Committee underscored the need for a balance between protecting public figures from defamation and the public’s right to information.
Abdo Rocholl also pointed out the growing number of complaints related to the disqualification or arrest of opposition candidates, emphasizing that removing candidates from ballots based on their opinions starkly violates their political rights. An example highlighted was the complaint filed against Belarus by presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka, whose rights were found to be violated due to his arbitrary detention and the denial of legal representation and a prompt trial.
The Committee also addressed disqualifications of candidates in Kazakhstan, asserting that such actions should be based on objective and reasonable grounds and adhere to due process.
With a significant portion of the global population participating in elections this year, the Committee expects to encounter more complaints of this nature. To manage the increasing caseload, the Committee plans to group cases with similar issues for joint consideration.
The detailed decisions and case files from this session are accessible on the Committee’s session webpage, providing transparency and insight into the ongoing challenges in protecting human rights globally.