RES/32/32 The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association

GE.16-12329(E)

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Human Rights Council Thirty-second session

Agenda item 3

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 1 July 2016

32/32. The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of

association

The Human Rights Council,

Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,

Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on

Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural

Rights and other relevant human rights instruments,

Reaffirming Human Rights Council resolutions 15/21 of 30 September 2010, 21/16

of 27 September 2012 and 24/5 of 26 September 2013, and recalling Council resolutions

22/10 of 21 March 2013, 25/38 of 28 March 2014 and 26/13 of 26 June 2014, and relevant

resolutions of the Commission on Human Rights,

Recalling Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1, on institution-building of the

Council, and 5/2, on the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures Mandate Holders of the

Council, of 18 June 2007,

Recognizing that the effective exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly

and of association, as enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is essential for the enjoyment of other

human rights and freedoms and constitutes a fundamental pillar for building a democratic

society and strengthening democracy, bearing in mind that all human rights are universal,

indivisible, interdependent and interrelated,

Aware of the crucial importance of the active involvement of civil society in

processes of governance that affect the life of people,

Taking note of the report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of

peaceful assembly and of association submitted to the Human Rights Council at its thirty-

second session,1

1 A/HRC/32/36.

Acknowledging that professional associations are among the manifestations of the

right to freedom of association,

1. Decides to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the rights to

freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, as established by the Human Rights

Council in its resolution 15/21, for a period of three years;

2. Calls upon States to continue to cooperate fully with and assist the Special

Rapporteur in the performance of the mandate, to respond promptly to his or her urgent

appeals and other communications, and to consider favourably his or her requests for visits;

3. Requests the Special Rapporteur to continue to report annually to the Human

Rights Council and the General Assembly;

4. Invites the Special Rapporteur to consider addressing, in his or her future

reporting, the topic of professional associations, including the role of professional

associations in the promotion and protection of all human rights, the realization of

development efforts, and building and maintaining a democratic society, and also including

how States and other relevant stakeholders may promote, create and maintain conditions

conducive to the development and activities of professional associations;

5. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the assistance necessary to the

Special Rapporteur to fulfil the mandate, in particular by placing adequate human and

material resources at his or her disposal;

6. Decides to continue its consideration of the issue of the rights to freedom of

peaceful assembly and of association in accordance with its programme of work.

46th meeting

1 July 2016

[Adopted without a vote.]