SIDE EVENT AT THE 35TH SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL: RIGHTS TO FREEDOM OF PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY AND OF ASSOCIATION IN THE U.S.

Thursday, June 8, 2017
15:00-16:30
Room XXI
Palais des Nations
Geneva, Switzerland

Over the past few years, the United States has witnessed an unprecedented number of people taking to the streets to protest a number of issues: the police killings of unarmed Black men and women, development projects infringing on the rights of indigenous peoples, water contamination, presidential travel bans targeting Muslims and refugees, and threats to women’s rights. There has also been an increase in anti-union and anti-workers’ rights efforts that restrict the right to organize for workers, including migrant workers, and weakens labor power.

This side event will cover the findings and conclusions of a recent report by the former UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Assembly and Association, Maina Kiai, about his official visit to the United States, which took place in July 2016. Speakers will discuss the serious threats and challenges to exercising the rights of freedom of assembly and association in the United States, especially in the years that lay ahead.

Panelists:

• Maina Kiai, Former UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
• Shannon Lederer, Director of Immigration Policy, AFL-CIO
• Carlos Garcia, Puente Movement in Arizona
• Abi Hassen, Co-founder of Black Movement Law Project
• Holly T. Bird, Attorney/Civil Ground Coordinator, Water Protectors Legal Collective (joining via video)

Moderator: Jamil Dakwar, Director, ACLU Human Rights Program

This event is co-sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union, CIVICUS, The Solidarity Center, and the AFL-CIO. A livestream will be provided by CIVICUS at www.facebook.com/CIVICUS/.