© Yann Forget / Wikimedia Commons
As the Human Rights Council marks its 20th anniversary, 26 civil society organisations have outlined key expectations for the incoming Council President and Bureau.
The organisations emphasise meaningful civil society participation, hybrid and remote engagement, transparency in the Special Procedures appointment process, and protection against intimidation and reprisals.
The letter calls on the Council President to:
Serve as a focal point for civil society and provide regular briefings and updates on the Council’s status review process, efficiency measures, impact of budget cuts, the UN liquidity crisis, and all other issues affecting civil society access.
Promote hybrid and remote participation as a standard practice, engaging with the President of the General Assembly to institutionalise these modalities.
Conduct impact assessments of efficiency measures to ensure they do not inadvertently limit civil society participation.
Strengthen transparency in the appointment of new mandate holders and speak out in defence of their independence and against attacks against mandate holders.
The letter states, ‘the 20th anniversary of the Council is a renewed opportunity to reaffirm its founding promise: a Human Rights Council that is accessible, inclusive, and responsive to those who need it most.’
Read the full letter here.
As transnational repression grows more sophisticated and pervasive, ISHR convened a strategic retreat with UN Special Procedures and Treaty Bodies experts to strengthen UN capabilities to advance human rights-based responses, protect those affected, and hold perpetrators accountable.
During its 87th session, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) heard about the human rights situation on the continent, reviewed the periodic report of the Republic of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, and of the Republic of Kenya, and held different panels to advance the protection of human rights on specific themes and countries.
During the 87th public session of the African Commission, ISHR expressed its concerns on the restrictions and reprisals against defenders and called the ACHPR to adopt measures ensuring the protection of defenders and their safe engagement with the ACHPR activities.
