The 31st session of the Human Rights Council gives cause for cautious optimism

by Peter Sørensen, Ambassador, Head of Delegation of the European Union to the UN, Geneva and the URG team Blog BORRAR, By invitation, By invitation BORRAR, HRC BORRAR, Human Rights Council BORRAR, Human rights institutions and mechanisms

In his statement to the 31st session, the High Commissioner for Human Rights spoke of a “growing disarray in many countries.” This is a sad conclusion to be drawn; yet it undoubtedly reflects the reality of today’s world. Around the globe, old conflicts persist and new ones erupt, and despite the hard lessons of the 20th Century, men still commit …

Report on the 31st Session of the Human Rights Council

by the URG team HRC BORRAR, Human Rights Council BORRAR, Human rights institutions and mechanisms, Human rights institutions and mechanisms BORRAR

Quick summary The 31st regular session of the Human Rights Council (HRC31) was held from 29 February 2016 to 24 March 2016. At the opening of the session, statements were delivered by H.E. Mr Choi Kyong-Lim, President of the Human Rights Council, Mr Mogens Lykketoft, President of General Assembly, H.E. Mr Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein the UN High Commissioner for …

URG Board Member, Nazila Ghanea, addresses Human Rights Council during panel discussion on preventing violent extremism

by the URG team Contemporary and emerging human rights issues BORRAR, HRC BORRAR, Human Rights Council BORRAR, Human rights institutions and mechanisms, Istanbul process BORRAR, Prensa BORRAR, Resolution 16/18 BORRAR, Thematic human rights issues, URG News BORRAR

On 17th March 2016, URG Board member Nazila Ghanea participated in the Human Rights Council “Panel discussion on preventing violent extremism,” alongside Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the UN; Kate Gilmore, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights; Gastón Garatea, Professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru and former Chair of the National Bureau for the Fight against Poverty; Mehreen …

Implementing Resolution 16/18: the role of Rabat and the importance of civil society space

by Andrew Smith, Legal Officer at ARTICLE 19 and the URG team Blog BORRAR, By invitation, By invitation BORRAR, HRC BORRAR, Human rights institutions and mechanisms, In Focus: Human rights and religion BORRAR, Istanbul process BORRAR, Religion, Resolution 16/18 BORRAR, Thematic human rights issues

The 31st session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) is a significant marker: not only will the HRC celebrate its 10th birthday, but the session will mark five years since the adoption of resolution 16/18 on “combating intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatisation of, and discrimination, incitement to violence, and violence against persons based on religion or belief .” In the current geopolitical context, the consensus that underpins resolution 16/18 is increasingly precarious, despite being more important than ever. In March, the HRC will consider …