32/L.55 Civil society space

GE.16-11106(E)



Human Rights Council Thirty-second session

Agenda item 3

Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,

political, economic, social and cultural rights,

including the right to development

China, Russian Federation: amendment to draft resolution A/HRC/32/L.29

32/… Civil society space

1. Eleventh preambular paragraph

The paragraph should read

Mindful that domestic legal and administrative provisions and their application

should facilitate, promote and protect an independent, open, transparent, responsible,

diverse and pluralistic civil society, and in this regard strongly rejecting all threats, attacks,

reprisals and acts of intimidation against civil society actors, and underscoring that States

should investigate any such alleged acts, ensure accountability and effective remedies, and

take steps to prevent any further such threats, attacks, reprisals or acts of intimidation,

2. Fourteenth preambular paragraph

The paragraph should read

Reaffirming that special emphasis should be given to measures to assist in the

strengthening of a pluralistic, open, transparent and responsible civil society, including

through the strengthening of the rule of law, social and economic development, the

promotion of the right to freedom of expression, online and offline, including artistic

expression and creativity, access to information, the rights of peaceful assembly and

freedom of association, including soliciting, receiving and utilizing resources in a legal and

transparent manner, and the administration of justice, and to the real and effective

participation of the people in the decision-making processes,

3. Paragraph 1

The paragraph should read

1. Emphasizes that creating and maintaining a safe and enabling environment in

which civil society can operate in an open, transparent and responsible manner, free from

hindrance and insecurity, assists States in fulfilling their existing international human rights

obligations and commitments, without which equality, accountability and the rule of law

are severely weakened, with implications at the national, regional and international levels;

4. Paragraph 4

The paragraph should read

4. Urges States to create and maintain, in law and in practice, a safe and

enabling environment in which civil society can operate free from hindrance and insecurity,

in an open, transparent and responsible manner, in accordance with their founding

mandates;

5. Paragraph 7

The paragraph should read

7. Urges States to ensure access to justice and accountability, and to end

impunity for human rights violations and abuses against civil society actors, including by

putting in place, and where necessary reviewing and amending, relevant laws, policies,

institutions and mechanisms to create and maintain a safe and enabling environment in

which civil society can operate in an open, transparent and responsible manner, free from

hindrance, insecurity and reprisals;