UN and regional human rights experts on Friday urged states to halt the criminalization of protesters and civil society activists, following what they called a pattern of arbitrary arrests and persecution worldwide.

In a joint declaration, experts stressed that the foundational pillars of democracy–namely freedom of assembly and association–must be protected and not treated as threats to public order and national security. They emphasized the importance of these rights to foster participation and holding power to account and prevent a deepening mistrust and the undermining of social cohesion.

This declaration follows an increasing trend by nation-states to enact laws that jeopardize civil society groups. In Georgia, for example, the government last year passed a controversial “Foreign Agents” law requiring the registration of organizations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad as agents of foreign influence. Many international organizations, rights groups, and NGOs have criticized the law as an attempt to silence civil society and suppress independent media, as the country faces a growing democratic backsliding.

Similar measures have been undertaken in many countries like Russia, Türkiye, Egypt and Belarus, targeting civil society organization under the guise of combating foreign influence.

The UN experts stated:

States must reaffirm their commitment to protect the rights of freedom of assembly and of association. They are essential for enabling collective action, participation, solidarity and dialogue which are fundamental for ensuring a resilient and inclusive democracy, and for the realisation of the UN Charter’s aspiration to preserve peace and human rights for all. We strongly [condemn] the widespread stigmatization of those legitimately exercising their rights and freedoms as “enemies”, “traitors”, “spies”, “terrorists”, “criminals” or similar [language].

According to Friday’s joint declaration, human rights defenders and activists are facing widespread repression worldwide, with many being arrested for non-violent activism and legitimate dissent. Thousands have been arrested without due process, subjected to harsh sentences, while many human rights groups have been forced into dissolution and defunding.

Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) protects the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association as fundamental rights. It states that “no restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right.”