Inside Track HRC49 looks ahead at the 49th regular session of the Council, which runs from 28 February to 1 April 2022. It aims to provide those interested in the Council’s work with an at-a-glance brief on what to expect from HRC49: 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.
Inside Track is produced by the Universal Rights Group with the support of the Permanent Mission of Singapore. At HRC49, Inside Track will be published only in an electronic format due to the precautionary measures being taken to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
Expected highlights at HRC49 include:
- More than 113 high-level dignitaries and officials are expected to deliver statements during the three-day High-Level Segment of HRC49, which will take place in a hybrid manner. So far, a total of two heads or deputy heads of State, five heads or deputy heads of government, and 73 ministers or vice-ministers are scheduled to address the Council. Secretary-General of the United Nations, H.E. Mr Antonio Guterres, as well as the President of the UN General Assembly, H.E. Mr Abdulla Shahid, will also be delivering an address at the start of the High-Level Segment.
- On 7 March H.E. Ms. Michelle Bachelet, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, will give an oral update on her annual report on the human rights situation around the world. This oral update will provide the basis for the general debate under Item 2 on 7 and 8 March.
- 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, Cyprus, Guatemala, Honduras, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Occupied Palestinian Territory, occupied Syrian Golan, and South Sudan. Additionally, the High Commissioner will deliver oral updates on the situations in Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Sudan, Tigray, 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:
- combating intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatization of, and discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against, persons based on religion or belief;
- comprehensive approach to promoting, protecting and respecting women’s and girls’ full enjoyment of human rights in humanitarian situations;
- contribution of respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms to achieving the purposes and upholding the principles of the Charter of the United Nations;
- current system-wide delivery and financing of, and existing gaps in, technical assistance and capacity-building that support the implementation by States of their international human rights obligations and commitments;
- human rights implications of the lack of affordable, timely, equitable and universal access and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and the deepening inequalities between States;
- impact and repercussions of measures taken by Governments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on the safety and work of journalists and media workers;
- impact of the civilian acquisition, possession and use of firearms by children and youth;
- measures taken to implement Human Rights Council resolution 9/8 and obstacles to its implementation, including recommendations for further improving the effectiveness of, harmonizing and reforming the treaty body system;
- normative standards and obligations under international law in relation to the promotion and protection of the human rights of older persons;
- question of the realization in all countries of economic, social and cultural rights;
- rights of the child and family reunification.
- The Council will consider reports from, and hold interactive dialogues with, 21 Special Procedures (seven country-specific and 14 thematic), including those dealing with: adequate housing; albinism; counter terrorism; cultural rights; environment; food; freedom of religion or belief; foreign debt; human rights defenders; minorities; persons with disabilities; privacy; sale of children; torture; Cambodia; Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; Eritrea; Iran (Islamic Republic of); Mali; Myanmar; and Occupied Palestinian Territory. In accordance with HRC/PRST/OS/13/1 all the Interactive Dialogues (IDs) will be individual.
- In addition, the Council will also hold interactive dialogues with a number of investigative mechanisms, including the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, the Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela, the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic.
- The Council is expected to act on between 32 and 35 draft resolutions and other texts. The deadline for submitting draft resolutions has been set at 1 PM on 23rd March 2022. Additionally, it is expected to appoint 11 new mandate-holders, including the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, three members of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (from Central and Eastern European States, Central and South American States, and Pacific States), one member of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (from Western European and other States), one member of the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances (from Asia-Pacific States), one member of the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises (from Asia-Pacific States), and one member of the Working Group on the use of mercenaries (from Latin American and Caribbean States). More information on the appointment process and the candidates can be found here.
Find the English version of the Inside Track here.
The French version of the Inside Track will be made available here.
