Ms. Alice Mogwe Intersessional meeting on the theme “Technical cooperation and capacity-building in

The importance of effective technical cooperation and capacity-building in the field of human rights has never been as apparent as it is now, in the face of rising authoritarianism, shrinking civic space, and increasing restrictions on fundamental freedoms. [...] This lack of cooperation progressively undermines the rule of law and weakens the enjoyment of human rights - one right at a time - ranging from sexual and reproductive health rights; restrictions on civic space; constrained freedoms of expression, media freedom, freedom of association, and freedom of movement; to addressing impunity from historic crimes, war crimes, crimes against humanity and in. [...] In the context of unbridled and unregulated global market capitalism; increasing global, regional and national socio-economic inequalities; increasing mistrust in the institutions of democracy; and the reluctance of States to meaningfully engage with international human rights bodies – the discourse of human rights, risks ringing hollow. [...] Alice Mogwe In doing so, they have played a vital role in the process of universalizing the concept and application of human rights, monitoring respect for human rights, denouncing violations and even in limiting the capacity for human rights violators to act. [...] States need to recognise that ‘’merely tolerating’’ the exercise of the rights to association and assembly as well as freedom of expression (albeit in constrained manner), while not listening to the message of civil society, undermines the very freedoms and rights they claim to uphold, globally.