Quick summary The 33rd regular session of the Human Rights Council (HRC33) was held from 13 September to 30 September 2016. At the opening of the session, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, gave his regular update on the global human rights situation. A number of high-level dignitaries delivered statements during HRC33, including: Mr Evo …
During the last week of the 33rd session of the Council, the URG, with the support of the Government of Germany and the Canton of Geneva, brought 11 journalists – from Albania, Argentina, Burundi, DRC, Dominican Republic, Maldives, Rwanda, Slovenia, Thailand, United States, and Venezuela – to Geneva to follow developments, especially during voting. During their time in Geneva, the journalists …
Este artículo apareció originalmente en New World magazine , publicado por la Asociación de las Naciones Unidas en el Reino Unido (United Nations Association – UK, UNA-UK) Los derechos humanos – junto a la paz y la seguridad, y al desarrollo, constituyen uno de los tres pilares de las Naciones Unidas. La naturaleza interconectada de éstos tres es clara: sin avances para promover y proteger …
This article originally appeared in New World magazine , published by the United Nations Association – UK (UNA-UK) Human rights – alongside peace and security, and development – constitutes one of the three pillars of the United Nations. Their interconnected nature is clear: without steps to promote and protect human rights, the international community will be unable to achieve peace and security, while …
In January, a new UN Secretary-General will take over from Ban Ki-Moon. As described in URG’s recent policy brief: ‘ Candidates for the post of Secretary-General: where do they stand on human rights?’ the selection process for the new Office-holder has been the most open and transparent since the founding of the UN. Although the formal inter-governmental decision-making process has not changed (for example, the Security Council does not publish the results of …
5th September 2016, Jakarta On 2nd August I landed back in Jakarta after three-and-a-half years with the Indonesian team at the Human Rights Council. As well as giving me time to readjust to life back home, the intervening weeks have given me time to reflect on the nature and extent of the ‘on the ground’ impact of my work at …
The UN Human Rights Council endorsed the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in 2011. Though an important milestone, the debate continues on the scope, content, and legal status of companies’ responsibility to respect human rights asserted in those Principles. To gain closer insights into this debate, between 2014 and 2015, the Universal Rights Group, together with partners including …
The world is currently experiencing an unprecedented demographic revolution to an ageing population, and no regions are exempt. Globally, there are approximately 700 million persons aged 60 years old and over, and this figure will double by 2025. By 2050, older persons will constitute 20%of the global population—higher than it has ever been. In light of these projections, in 2013 …
“Albinos are being hunted in Africa!” Headlines like these are not uncommon these days. They sound sensationalist but in fact reflect a grim reality: that in some countries, people with albinism are being attacked—usually with machetes and knives—for the purpose of obtaining their body parts. These attacks are based on a witchcraft-led belief that the body parts of people with …
At the 27th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, held in Kigali, Rwanda, from 17 to 18 July 2016, African Heads of State and Government unanimously adopted the Declaration on ‘The African Year of Human Rights with Particular Focus on the Rights of Women.’ The adoption of the Declaration was inspired by Africa’s continued quest for the …
