UN News      Columbia University in New York City. (file photo)

July 25, 2024   Human Rights

UN independent human rights experts on Thursday expressed deep concern over a “massive crackdown” on pro-Palestinian student protests at various universities in the United States, urging authorities to uphold the rights to free speech and peaceful assembly.

“The banning and attacks on student protests are a grave violation of the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression guaranteed by international human rights law, and must stop immediately,” the experts said in a news release.

They added that their concerns were conveyed to the US Government in a previous communication.  

Students across the US have organized anti-war encampments and peaceful protests to express solidarity with Palestinian civilians in Gaza suffering amidst the Israeli military operation in response to the brutal 7 October attacks by Palestinian and other armed groups on Israeli communities.

The news release noted that many demonstrations were dispersed by law enforcement at the universities’ requests, often resulting in violence that required medical attention for some protesters.

Reports indicate that students faced severe consequences, including arrests, potential deportation, expulsion, loss of housing, and excessive surveillance.  

The UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts called on academic institutions to avoid punitive actions against students exercising their fundamental rights and to consider readmitting those expelled.

Strong rejection of antisemitism

The experts also addressed accusations from some US politicians and university officials that labelled the protests as antisemitic.

“It is inaccurate and unjustified to bluntly label all peaceful demonstrations of solidarity with the Palestinian people or calls for a ceasefire in Gaza or criticism of Israel’s policies as antisemitic,” they said.  

“We strongly denounce antisemitism as a serious form of racial hatred and intolerance and urge authorities to properly investigate and take effective measures against it in line with international human rights law,” they stressed.

The experts included, among others, the special rapporteurs on the right to education, for cultural rights, and on freedom of opinion and expression.

Rights experts alarmed by surge in attacks on Ahmadis in Pakistan

Meanwhile in Pakistan, UN independent human rights experts voiced deep concern over a surge in violence against Ahmadi Muslims, including allegations of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, attacks on places of worship and curtailment of free expression, peaceful assembly and association.

“We are alarmed by ongoing reports of violence and discrimination against the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan. We urge Pakistani authorities to take immediate action to address this situation,” the experts said.

“Urgent measures are necessary to respond to these violent attacks and the broader atmosphere of hatred and discrimination which feeds it.”

The Human Rights Council-appointed experts cited specific incidents over the past few months, including the extrajudicial killing of two Ahmadis on 8 July and of a community leader on 4 March.

They also noted that an alarming number of attacks on Ahmadi places of worship and cemeteries have been reported since the beginning of 2024, some of which resulted in serious injury to worshippers.

Ensure effective protection

“The Ahmadiyya community, their places of worship and cemeteries, must be given effective protection from attacks and vandalism,” the experts said.

They also expressed concern regarding alleged arbitrary arrests and detentions of Ahmadi worshippers during their religious holiday period to prevent or obstruct their participation in their religious practices.

The independent experts commended the Pakistan National Assembly’s resolution adopted last month to ensure the safety of all citizens, including religious minorities, while stressing the need to address blasphemy laws and discriminatory provisions endangering Ahmadis and other minorities.

The experts raising concern included the members of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, alongside the special rapporteurs on extrajudicial executions; freedom of opinion and expression; freedom of religion; and freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

Appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council and forming part of its Special Procedures, Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups are mandated to monitor and report on human rights in specific country or thematic situations. They are independent of the United Nations and do not draw a salary.  

Summit on Sport and Sustainable Development  

And as the world prepares to gather in Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games, Secretary-General António Guterres called for celebrating sport as a vector for positive change and sustainable development.

“Sport transcends borders, unites people and inspires us to act for a better world,” he said in a video message to the Summit on Sport for Sustainable Development.  

He called on athletes and officials “lead by example by” placing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the heart of its activities through investments in education and economic and social inclusion programs, particularly in developing countries.

Alongside, he also urged them to promote gender equality, energy efficiency and respect for the planet.

“Together, let’s team up for a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable world,” Mr. Guterres highlighted.

‘Let’s Move’ for better health

Meanwhile, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said it is also joining Paris Olympics, supporting the International Olympic Committee and France to help make the world’s leading sport spectacle healthy and safe for spectators and athletes alike.  

“From promoting physical activity to protecting people from a range of health threats, WHO has been proud to play its part in making the Paris Olympics a success,” highlighted Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.  

WHO and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), have launched the “Let’s Move” physical activity promotion campaign, leveraging the power of sport, and the platform of the Olympics, to motivate sports stars and the global public to move for better health.

In line with this campaign, the French Government has introduced a programme of 30 minutes of daily physical activity for school students in France to ensure a lasting, healthy legacy is left from the Paris Olympics.