HRC Elections 2024: As civil society demands an effective and responsive Council, candidates elaborate on their pledges and visions for membership

HRC Elections 2024: As civil society demands an effective and responsive Council, candidates elaborate on their pledges and visions for membership 

Candidate States to the Human Rights Council presented their pledges and responded to questions by civil society on their human rights records, while elaborating on their vision to improve the work of the Council at ISHR’s and Amnesty International’s annual event. 

On 4 September, State candidates to the Human Rights Council joined an online event during which they were asked to outline their commitments and plans, should they be elected. 

Of 19 candidates, 12 were represented at the event: Cyprus, Marshall Islands, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Czechia, North Macedonia, Colombia, Mexico, Iceland, Spain, and Switzerland, and 7 declined, did not reply to the invitation or did not attend the event: Benin, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Kenya, Saudi Arabia and Bolivia.

Opening remarks 

Colombia’s representative emphasized that, in seeking their first ever seat on the Human Rights Council, they are aiming at implementing their policy of total peace, promoting an environment of dialogue and participation to enhance the resolution of conflicts through peaceful methods, based on the UN Charter and international law. They also highlighted the importance of political representation of women.

Cyprus’ representative highlighted that the country’s historical experience demonstrates their values of security and promotion of human rights. They shared their belief that small States have an essential role to play in the international community and emphasized that Cyprus is well aware of the commitment that being elected for the Human Rights Council implies. 

Czechia’s representative also referred to their national history, stating that ‘our story is a human rights story’, having  attained independence from previous authoritarian regimes. They referred to their previous participation in the Human Rights Council, and focused on emerging digital technologies, which they said need to be addressed in the international legal order. 

Iceland’s representative highlighted that it will aim to drive action on a broad range of issues and that civil society and all stakeholders will be included. Iceland shared that the Council must be more responsive to emergencies and that they will emphasise a thematic focus on women and girls, SOGIESC, children and the environment, all while they continue efforts internally to ratify the remaining human rights treaties. 

The Marshall Island´s representative mentioned that, if elected, they’ll follow through with what was achieved in their first term, and their national commitments, such as the creation of a national mechanism for implementation and reporting of obligations and recommendations emanating from international human rights mechanisms. At the international level, the Marshall Islands will continue building bridges with civil society.

Mexico’s representative emphasized its role in creating the Human Rights Council back in 2006. Mexico also shared that the feminist focus of Mexican foreign policy and other thematic focus would be implemented if elected, particularly in the areas of indigenous peoples, migrants and disabled people. 

The Republic of North Macedonia shared their pledge to uphold international human rights standards, law and democracy, to focus  on the 2030 agenda and to support a culture of diversity, respect and inclusion. Their priorities include women and girls, disabilities and discrimination, as well as a safe, clean and sustainable environment. 

Qatar’s representative mentioned that they will continue to be a proactive member of the international community, and also continue efforts internally to attain important reforms, particularly in the area of inclusive representation in institutions. 

The Republic of Korea’s representative indicated that they will continue to lead efforts in the Human Rights Council on two important resolutions on technologies and local governments. The representative of Korea also mentioned that Korea has withdrawn its reservations on certain international human rights instruments and is assessing whether to ratify others. 

Spain’s representative mentioned gender equality, SOGI, and economic, social and cultural rights as priorities, as well as the fight against death penalty, the protection of human rights defenders and the right to care of elderly people. 

Switzerland’s representative mentioned three key topics that would be prioritized if elected: making the human rights council more responsive to emerging situations, developing international standards, and capacity building. They also highlighted the importance of implementation of UPR recommendations. 

Thailand’s representative also mentioned the need for the Council to be more effective and responsive to emergencies, as well as constructive dialogue among States and civil society as a key pillar of their pledge.  Thailand also referred to  national human rights and policies that have been enacted and that they will continue to do so, and clarified that they actually acceded to 8 out 9 core human rights treaties. 

Discussion with the candidate States: 

Switzerland was  questioned about the protection of the rights of older persons and its position about a new convention on the rights of older persons under the auspices of the Human Rights Council, to which it responded that its national legislation is sufficient to address these issues. 

Similarly, Spain was questioned about the ratification of the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers, the Convention on Enforced Disappearances and the Individual communication procedures of the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to which it responded that their national legislation is sufficient to address these issues. 

Qatar was questioned as to the lack of inclusion of women in public life including the Shura Council elections that took place in October 2021. In response Qatar shared information about women’s right to vote Qatar was also questioned about its excessive application of the death penalty. 

Czechia received a question on its double standard approach reflected in its support for the action of the ICC against the Putin regime for their acts in Ukraine, while being critical of the same work related to Israel. Czechia’s representative rejected the accusation of double standards and stated that they support both Ukraine and Israel in the current conflicts of aggression. 

Colombia was questioned as to their efforts related to Venezuelan migrants and also on cases of police brutality against people of African Descent. On the first point, the representative indicated that Colombia will be granting temporary residence permits to migrants for a period of 10 years, after which they can opt for permanent residence or citizenship. 

Thailand was questioned about a group of Uyghur refugees, which they pledged  to continue to care for until a viable solution for the group is found. This will include accommodation, healthcare and psychosocial services. Thailand also pointed out that the principle of non-refoulement has been included in their local legislation. 

Candidate States who did not attend the event also received questions: 

Saudi Arabia was questioned as to its commitment to human rights for various reasons, for instance UN fact finding experts have been constantly denied access to its territory, Saudi Arabia has also refused to engage with human rights mechanisms, and human rights defenders face constant reprisals. Saudi Arabia was further asked whether it will release all detainees and political prisoners charged for contacting human rights organisations, as well as all the detained WHRDs who were heavily sentenced for making tweets. 

Kenya was asked about the mass demonstrations that recently happened in June, where, reportedly, human rights violations had been committed by police forces, and how will it duly investigate this crimes as well as prevent future acts of torture and ensure accountability. It was also asked about its view on jurisprudence of the African Commission and African Court of Human Rights, and how the Government will ensure the implementation of these decisions. 

The Gambia was asked whether it will commit to applying principled support to country-specific initiatives on the basis of an objective criteria, as well as to the incoming members’ pledge and Irish Principles. Furthermore, it was asked whether it can commit to protecting the rights of Gambian girls and women by rejecting  proposals to reverse or weaken the 2015 FGM ban. 

Ethiopia was asked about measures taken to ensure effective investigations of all cases of harassment, attack and reprisals against HRDs as well as their efforts to ensure fair trials. Furthermore, Ethiopia was called out for resisting international scrutiny of violations within its territory, and was asked how, as Council members, it will support international scrutiny of abuses, including domestically. 

The Democratic Republic of the Congo was asked about its commitment to improve access to the judicial system and avoid impunity in cases of violence against civil society. It was also asked about the major legal and institutional reforms to ensure the rights of victims of evictions due to mining investments. 

Bolivia was asked what concrete steps the Government will take to address the unresolved issue of enforced disappearances that occurred during the period of 1972-1980, and ensure accountability, justice and reparations to victims’ families, reference was made to the Flores Bedregal v. Bolivia judgment of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the government’s lack of political will to enforce it. Bolivia was further questioned about its climate change policies, given its high rate of deforestation, and imports and illegal distribution of mercury.

At the time of writing, these are the 19 candidates seeking election: 

• African States: Benin, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, and Gambia. 
• Asia and the Pacific States: Cyprus, Marshall Islands, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia and Thailand. 
• Central and Eastern European States: Czechia and North Macedonia, 
• Latin America and the Caribbean: Bolivia, Colombia and Mexico. 
• Western European and others: Iceland, Spain and Switzerland.