Inside Track HRC44 looks ahead at the 44th Regular Session of the Council, which runs from 30th June to 17th July 2020. It aims to provide those interested in the Council’s work with an at-a-glance brief on what to expect from HRC44: 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 HRC44 include:
- On 30th June , H.E. Ms. Michelle Bachelet, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, will open HRC44 with her annual report on the human rights situation around the world, followed by an oral update on the human rights implications of COVID-19. This will provide the basis for an interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner on 30th June – 2nd July.
- 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: the Philippines, Nicaragua, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), and Ukraine. Additionally, the High Commissioner will deliver an oral update on the human rights situation of the Rohingya people.
- 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: Afghanistan, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Islamic Republic of Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Occupied Palestinian Territories, and the Occupied Syrian Golan. The High Commissioner will deliver oral updates on the situations in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nicaragua, Ukraine, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), and Yemen.
- The Council will also consider High Commissioner and Secretary General reports on a number of thematic issues, including inter alia:
- Activities and plans of OHCHR to support States efforts to promote and protect the human rights of prisoners;
- civil society space;
- elimination of female genital mutilation;;
- impact of new technologies on human rights in the context of assemblies; implementation and enhancement of international cooperation;
- improving accountability and access to remedy for victims of business-related human rights abuses;
- intersection of race and gender discrimination in sport;
- operations of the Voluntary Fund for participation in the universal periodic review;
- operations of the Voluntary Fund for financial and technical assistance in the implementation of the universal periodic review.
- The Council will consider reports from, and hold interactive dialogues with, 21 Special Procedures(four country-specific and 17 thematic), including those dealing with: education; extreme poverty; freedom of expression; peaceful assembly; racism; right to health; sexual orientation and gender identity; trafficking; violence against women; Belarus; Eritrea; Myanmar; and Occupied Palestinian Territories. In accordance with HRC/PRST/OS/13/1 all the Interactive Dialogues (IDs) will be individual.
- As per HRC/PRST/OS/13/1 there will be no general debates during HRC44.
- The Council is expected to act on around 25 draft resolutions and other texts. The deadline for submitting draft resolutions has been set at 1PM on 16 July 2020 . Additionally, it is expected to appoint four new mandate-holders including the Special Rapporteur on hazardous wastes, Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, Special Rapporteur on right to health, and the Special Rapporteur on trafficking. More information on the appointment process and the candidates can be found here
Find the English version of the Inside Track here.
Find the French version of the Inside Track here.
