MORNING - Human Rights Council Hears Briefing by President of Economic and Social Council
Council Begins General Debate on Human Rights Bodies and Mechanisms and Concludes Interactive Dialogue on Secretary-General’s Report on Cooperation with the United Nations
The Human Rights Council this morning heard a briefing by the President of the Economic and Social Council. The Council also began the general debate under agenda item five on human rights bodies and mechanisms, and concluded the interactive dialogue on the Secretary-General’s report on cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights.
Paula Narváez Ojeda, President of the Economic and Social Council, briefing the Council on the discussions and key messages from the 2023 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, said the Forum attracted engagement at the highest level. The Forum examined progress in the context of the theme “Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels”. It conducted in-depth reviews of five Sustainable Development Goals.
Ms. Narváez Ojeda said the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and challenges of recovery remained a main concern among countries because of the setbacks they represented for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Many countries stressed that access to finance was critical for countries to accelerate progress towards this end, and the Forum underlined that collectively the world was not on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. Countries had been severely impacted by multiple interlocking crises that had further amplified pressing challenges, including those relating to poverty, food insecurity, inflation, debt and energy. A massive mobilisation of resources was needed, including from private sources.
The Council began the general debate under agenda item five on human rights bodies and mechanisms.
In the debate, some speakers said the treaty bodies and Special Procedures had proven to be among the most valuable components of the United Nations human rights system, through giving advice to States on how to fulfil their obligations under international law, translating the resolutions adopted by the Council into progress on human rights on the ground, and offering a lifeline for many victims and their families. Some speakers noted with concern that some individuals and groups were using the mechanisms of the Council, under the guise of protecting human rights, for political motives. These speakers insisted on the need for the mandate holders of the Special Procedures to carry out their work in strict accordance with the Code of Conduct.
The Council also concluded the interactive dialogue on the Secretary-General’s report on cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights, which began yesterday. A summary can be viewed here.
Ilze Brands Kehris, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, said in concluding remarks that the interest that speakers had shown in maintaining the dialogue was already support for the idea that the issue needed to be highlighted. This dialogue and the Universal Periodic Review were a form of peer pressure to have a dialogue on national laws and the responsibility of national law to comply with human rights law and to have a safe space for civil society to do their work domestically, and to be proud of the voice of a vibrant civil society coming to interact with the United Nations. Women’s active participation was absolutely essential in that regard. It was not the case that only some regions of the world were represented in the report; all regions of the world were included.
In the discussion, some speakers said they remained highly concerned that the report of the Secretary-General contained a high number of reported acts of intimidation and reprisal by State and non-State actors against individuals or groups having cooperated with the United Nations. It was disturbing that online and offline surveillance during or after engagement with the United Nations had become widespread. Some speakers said cases in report were baseless and did not fall within the scope of the report. Authors of the report needed to be more vigilant. The Secretary-General's report should not become another instrument of political pressure; its task was to show the situation objectively, in a balanced manner and with maximum geographical coverage.
Speaking in the discussion on reprisals were Tanzania, Denmark, Liechtenstein, Belarus, Iran, United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Andorra, Libya, Afghanistan and China.
Also speaking were Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions and the National Human Rights Committee (Qatar), as well as the following non-governmental organizations: Institute for Human Rights, Al-Haq- Law in the Service of Man, International Service for Human Rights, Institute for NGO Research, Global Action on Aging, Right Livelihood Award Foundation, Aula Abierta, East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project, Human Rights House Foundation, and Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies.
Speaking in the general debate were Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Portugal on behalf of a group of countries, Spain on behalf of the European Union, Australia on behalf of a group of countries, Azerbaijan on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, Latvia on behalf of a group of countries, Egypt on behalf of a group of countries, Ukraine, United States, Malaysia, Luxembourg, China, Bangladesh, Cuba, Algeria, Gambia, India, Bolivia, Germany, Costa Rica, Pakistan, Georgia, Iraq, Bahrain, Armenia, Russian Federation, Tunisia, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Uganda, Libya, Ghana, Azerbaijan, Iran and Angola.
Also speaking were Conectas Direitos Humanos, Institute for NGO Research, Maat for Peace, Development and Human Rights Association, United Nations Association of China, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, Beijing NGO Association for International Exchanges, Elizka Relief Foundation, International Humanitarian Society for Development Without Borders, Rajasthan Samgrah Kalyan Sansthan, Mother of Hope Cameroon Common Initiative Group, Alliance Defending Freedom, American Association of Jurists, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain Inc., Africa Culture Internationale, Comité International pour le Respect et l'Application de la Charte Africaine des Droits de l'Homme et des Peuples, Global Appreciation and Skills Training Network, Le conseil universel des droits de l'homme, Platform for Youth Integration and Volunteerism, Sikh Human Rights Group, Organisation pour la Communication en Afrique et de Promotion de la Cooperation Economique Internationale - OCAPROCE Internationale, International Muslim Women's Union, International Council Supporting Fair Trial and Human Rights, Al Baraem Association for Charitable Work, Integrated Youth Empowerment - Common Initiative Group (I.Y.E. – C.I.G.), International Service for Human Rights, Amnesty International, and Organization for Poverty Alleviation and Development.
The webcast of the Human Rights Council meetings can be found here. All meeting summaries can be found here. Documents and reports related to the Human Rights Council’s fifty-fourth regular session can be found here.
The Council will reconvene at 3 p.m. this afternoon to continue the general debate under agenda item five on human rights bodies and mechanisms, to be followed by the adoption of Universal Periodic Review outcomes of France, Tonga and Botswana.
Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the Secretary-General on Cooperation with the United Nations, its Representatives and Mechanisms in the Field of Human Rights
The interactive dialogue on the report of the Secretary-General on cooperation with the United Nations and its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights started in the previous meeting and a summary can be found here.
Discussion
In the discussion, some speakers said they remained highly concerned that the report of the Secretary-General contained a high number of reported acts of intimidation and reprisal by State and non-State actors against individuals or groups having cooperated with the United Nations. It was disturbing that online and offline surveillance during or after engagement with the United Nations had become widespread. In extreme cases, human rights defenders, activists and media workers had been subjected to arbitrary arrests, torture or even rape. The report underlined the continued imposition of restrictions that contributed to a climate of fear, resulting in self-censorship. The cruel environment of fear, silence and surveillance had left loved ones without hope of truth or justice.
Some speakers drew attention to situations which were of particular concern in certain countries.
A number of speakers said some cases in the report were baseless and did not fall within the scope of the report. The authors of the report needed to be more vigilant. The Secretary-General's report should not become another instrument of political pressure; its task was to show the situation objectively, in a balanced manner and with maximum geographical coverage. The United Nations system should not base its reporting on speculation, assumptions, or pre-judgments. The United Nations should provide reports grounded in facts, based on reliable information and verified data. One speaker noted that certain countries continued to use human rights as a banner to interfere in internal affairs, including under the context of reprisals. Several speakers called on the United Nations and its bodies to coordinate with Member States in carrying out their activities, and respect their sovereignty and the principle of non-interference in their internal affairs in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.
Many speakers said they consistently adhered to a principled and longstanding approach, emphasising commitment to cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human right by individuals, States, and civil society representatives. They appreciated the important role played by civil society in ensuring the promotion of human rights. The Secretary-General had invoked the common responsibility to undertake all possible action to ensure all individuals could live without fear of reprisals, intimidation, or attack. All States should commit to creating a safe environment for human rights defenders since they played a crucial role in advancing the protection and promotion of human rights.
Concluding Remarks
ILZE BRANDS KEHRIS, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, said the interest that speakers had shown in maintaining the dialogue was already support for the idea that the issue needed to be highlighted. Several States had asked what could be done to prevent and address reprisals, including taking into account gender and age. Raising awareness, continuously, of the issue, and the great contribution made by civil society was vital: not just because there was a right to participation at the United Nations by all members of society, but because the United Nations could not function without the participation of civil society. This was the responsibility of the whole system and for Member States and the international community as a whole. In order to prevent intimidation and reprisals, the international community must make sure that it publicly recognised civil society’s contribution to the United Nations, and promoted that participation in a safe space, including the focus on women and their contribution, and that of youth, among others. That public voice, saying that there was a protected space and that voices must be heard, must be promoted.
Ms. Brands Kehris said this dialogue and the Universal Periodic Review were a form of peer pressure to have a dialogue on national laws and the responsibility of national law to comply with human rights law and to have a safe space for civil society to do their work domestically, and to be proud of the voice of a vibrant civil society coming to interact with the United Nations. Women’s active participation was absolutely essential in that regard. Women human rights defenders had seen an increase of pressure on them, both on- and off-line, and holistic measures must address this, identifying what needed to be the response. There must also be a response to reprisals - States responding to the note verbale sent by the United Nations when it had concerns was a good practice.
Domestically, when allegations came, and they could come against and from any actor, Member States had the responsibility to make prompt and effective, independent investigations into the allegations, and have programmes to protect and support those under pressure, ensuring access to justice and effective remedies. There must be a victim-centred approach in this context, and a substantive response to the allegations. It was not the case that only some regions of the world were represented in the report; all regions of the world were included.
Statement by the President of the Economic and Social Council
PAULA NARVÁEZ OJEDA, President of the Economic and Social Council, briefing the Council on the discussions and key messages from the 2023 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, said the Forum attracted engagement at the highest level, with more than 120 Heads of State and Government, Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers, Vice Ministers and Ministerial level officials. The Forum examined progress in the context of the theme “Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels”. It conducted in-depth reviews of five Sustainable Development Goals.
The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and challenges of recovery remained a main concern among countries because of the setbacks they represented for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Many countries stressed that access to finance was critical for countries to accelerate progress towards this end, and the Forum underlined that collectively the world was not on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. Countries had been severely impacted by multiple interlocking crises that had further amplified pressing challenges, including those relating to poverty, food insecurity, inflation, debt and energy. A massive mobilisation of resources was needed, including from private sources.
The Forum identified priorities and helped build political momentum for the Sustainable Development Goals Summit, which took place on 18-19 September, and adopted an ambitions political declaration, which sent a strong political signal on the importance of reforming the international financial architecture. It also highlighted the imperatives of human rights across the document. It resolved, “between now and 2030, to end poverty and hunger everywhere; to combat inequalities within and among countries; to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies; to respect, protect and fulfil human rights and achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls and to ensure the lasting protection of the planet and its natural resources.” At the same time, the political declaration underscored the need to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies that were based on respect for human rights, effective rule of law and good governance.
General Debate on Agenda Item Five on Human Rights Bodies and Mechanisms
Some speakers said human rights mechanisms had vital importance in advancing and upholding human rights worldwide. Their pivotal role in monitoring, investigating and advocating for human rights made them an indispensable pillar of the international human rights system and an embodiment of the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Many speakers reiterated their support for the independence and integrity of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and its key role in asserting the centrality of human rights in building and sustaining peace, in preventing violations, in supporting accountability, and in fostering sustainable development and humanitarian responses. The increasing number of presences of the Office in the field were welcomed, and any efforts aiming to discredit or weaken the Office in its pursuit of ensuring that all individuals could fully enjoy their human rights should be rejected.
One speaker said this year marked the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which had inspired the adoption of more than 70 human rights treaties. The rights and freedoms enshrined in the Declaration had never been more important and underscored all the work done at the United Nations. It was incumbent upon the international community to recommit to the Declaration and the rights enshrined within it.
The anniversary celebration of the Declaration provided an opportunity to underscore that the recognition and promotion of human rights were indispensable in securing the achievements of all the fundamental pillars of the United Nations. A number of speakers reaffirmed their commitment to the Declaration and supported the commitment of the High Commissioner to restore worldwide consensus on the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of human rights to confront the existential challenges that humanity faced.
Speakers said the treaty bodies and Special Procedures had proven to be among the most valuable components of the United Nations human rights system, through giving advice to States on how to fulfil their obligations under international law, translating the resolutions adopted by the Council into progress on human rights on the ground, and offering a lifeline for many victims and their families. Speakers also reiterated support for the Universal Periodic Review mechanism, for its universality with the participation of all United Nations Member States, and its efficacy in prompting, supporting, and expanding the human rights promotion and protection system on the ground.
Some speakers also acknowledged the work of the United Nations Advisory Committee, in its role as a think tank to the Council and appreciated its research in thematic areas of human rights. Speakers also noted that national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up were flexible and versatile entities, assuming different structures to suit different national contexts and promoting dialogue, especially with civil society, fostering their participation and engagement.
A number of speakers also outlined the need to ensure equal geographical representation throughout the Council and its mechanisms, and for a continued focus on multilingualism throughout the Council’s work. Some speakers noted with concern instances where States did not cooperate with the mechanisms and retaliated against civil society members who were cooperating with the United Nations. This behaviour should be condemned. One speaker said that a new status, separate from civil society organizations, should be developed to ensure that indigenous peoples could participate at the United Nations. Indigenous peoples brought a unique perspective whether it be on climate change, the environment, or upholding human rights. Indigenous peoples had a lot to contribute and should be heard.
Some speakers noted with concern that some individuals and groups were using the mechanisms of the Council, under the guise of protecting human rights, for political motives. They fabricated allegations against governments which affected the functioning of the mechanisms and undermined their credibility. These speakers insisted on the need for mandate holders of the Special Procedures to carry out their work in strict accordance with the Code of Conduct. Actions outside the Code of Conduct weakened the credibility of the Special Procedures of the Council, undermining the confidence of States and other relevant actors.
The use of the United Nations human rights machinery to promote interventionist agendas against sovereign States was not acceptable, some speakers said. The Office of the High Commissioner had an important role in ensuring compliance with the basic principles of the United Nations Charter, including by mandate holders, whom it should advise appropriately. It was essential to verify the information they received from some sources.
One speaker said that all Council members and observer countries confirmed their commitment to the universality and indivisibility of human rights, and the principles of impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, but interpretations of these principles diverged. The speaker recalled that the Council did have a mandate to address specific situations, in resolution 5/1. Today, specific initiatives aimed at a particular situation in certain countries were regularly denounced as "selectivity" or "politicisation", with the alternative being that the Council and its members were accused of inaction.
Speakers called upon all States to fulfil their duties in supporting and strengthening human rights mechanisms, to ensure that the promise of human rights protection was realised for all. Many speakers emphasised that they constructively cooperated with the United Nations human rights system and its mechanisms, and urged other States to do the same. Speakers reiterated their willingness to maintain dialogue and cooperation with human rights procedures and mechanisms of universal and non-discriminatory application, as well as with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
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not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.
HRC23.0132E
