Inside Track HRC42 looks ahead at the 42nd regular session of the Council, which runs from 9th June to 27th September 2019. It aims to provide those interested in the Council’s work with an at-a-glance brief on what to expect from HRC42: the key issues, debates, and questions that are expected to keep delegates busy; the country situations that will require the Council’s attention; and the draft resolutions that will be negotiated and voted upon.
Expected highlights at HRC42 include:
- On 9 September, H.E. Ms. Michelle Bachelet, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, will open the HRC42 with an oral update on the human rights situation around the world. This will provide the basis for an interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner on 10 September. This will also mark the High Commissioner’s first year in office.
- During the session, the Council will consider country-specific reports by the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General covering human rights issues in, inter alia: Cambodia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Georgia, Nicaragua, and Yemen. The High Commissioner will also provide oral updates on the situation of human rights in Libya, Ukraine, and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of).
- It will also consider High Commissioner and Secretary General reports on a number of thematic issues, including inter alia:
- right to development;
- local governments and human rights;
- rights of indigenous people;
- human rights in the administration of justice;
- fourth phase of the World Programme for Human Rights Education;
- capital punishment and the implementation of the safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty; identifying challenges and good practices;
- the impact of the civilian acquisition, possession and use of firearms on civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights;
- cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights.
- On 13 September the President of ECOSOC will brief the Council on the discussions of the high-level political forum as requested by Council resolution 37/25.
- The Council will consider reports from, and hold interactive dialogues with, 18 Special Procedures (five country-specific and 13 thematic), including those dealing with: contemporary forms of slavery; international order; rights of older persons; water and sanitation; enforced disappearances; arbitrary detention; use of mercenaries; hazardous wastes; right to development; unilateral coercive measures; truth, justice and reparations; rights of indigenous peoples; African descent; Cambodia; Central African Republic; Myanmar; Somalia and Sudan.
- The Council is expected to act on between 30 and 39 draft resolutions and other texts. It is expected to appoint a new mandate-holder for the position of Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Central African Republic.
Find the English version of the Inside Track here.
Find the Spanish version of the Inside Track here.
Find the French version of the Inside Track here.
