The Inside Track: HRC56

• On 18th June, H.E. Mr. Volker Türk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, will open HRC56 with the presentation of his annual report on the human rights situation around the world. The presentation of his annual report will provide the basis for an interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner on 19th and 20th June.
• 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: (Bolivarian Republic of) Venezuela, Colombia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Myanmar, and Ukraine (including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol). Additionally, the High Commissioner will deliver oral updates/presentations on the promotion and protection of human rights in Nicaragua and on the situation of human rights in Ukraine.
• Other oral updates on country situations by Special Procedures mandate holders will focus on the situation of human rights in Burundi, the Central African Republic, and Myanmar.
• It will also consider High Commissioner’s and Secretary- General’s reports on a number of thematic issues, including inter alia:
  • Cross-border and transnational female genital mutilation.
  • Commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the thirtieth anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.
  • Enhancement of technical cooperation and capacity- building in the field of human rights in Colombia to implement the recommendations of the Commission for the Clarification of Truth, Coexistence and Non- Repetition.
  • Implementation and enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights.
  • Negative impact of the non-repatriation of funds of illicit origin to the countries of origin on the enjoyment of human rights, and the importance of improving international cooperation.

• The Council will hold 24 interactive dialogues with Special Procedures mandate-holders, including 18 thematic mandate holders dealing with: climate change; discrimination against women and girls (Working Group); education; extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; extreme poverty; freedom of opinion and expression; freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; health; independence of judges and lawyers; internally displaced persons; international solidarity; leprosy; migrants; racism; sexual orientation and gender identity; trafficking; transnational corporations; violence against women and girls; as well as 6 country-specific mandate holders on Afghanistan; Belarus; Burundi; Central African Republic; Eritrea; Myanmar.
• In addition, the Council will also hold interactive dialogues with 3 investigative mechanisms: the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan; the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic; and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel.
• Pursuant to President’s statement PRST OS/17/1 of 8th December 2023, no general debates will be held at the Council’s June session. Therefore, the reports and oral updates of the High Commissioner, the Secretary- General and the subsidiary bodies to be presented during HRC56 will be considered during the relevant general debate at HRC57, unless they are mandated to be considered in the context of an interactive dialogue.
• Based on the initiatives formally announced during the HRC56 organisational meeting, the Council is expected to act on around 19 draft resolutions and other texts. The deadline for submitting draft resolutions has been set at 1 PM on Tuesday, 2nd July 2024.
• At the 56th session, the Council will adopt UPR outcome reports of 14 States (Belize, Central African Republic, Chad, China,* Congo, Jordan, Malaysia,* Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and Senegal).
• Additionally, it is expected to appoint three new mandate-holders, including the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran; a member of the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises (Eastern European States); and a member of the Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self- determination (Western European and other States). On 3rd June 2024, the President released the list of proposed candidates for the first two vacancies above. A recommendation for the third vacancy is expected as an addendum once quorum is reached in the Consultative Group upon appointment of members from respective regional groups. More information on the upcoming appointments and the candidates can be found here.
• The Group of Latin American and Caribbean States, nominated the Permanent Representative of Honduras, H.E. Mr Marcela Arias, for Vice-President. The proposed nomination was approved at the Council’s organisational meeting held on 3rd June 2024.
• On 20th June 2024, the high-level Presidential discussion on the link between climate change, food security and health security is scheduled to take place from 12 PM to 3 PM in room XX. In this regard, the Council on 20th June would meet, exceptionally, from 9 AM to 12 PM and from 3 PM to 6 PM to accommodate the three-hour Presidential discussion.
• The first celebration of the International Day of Women and Diplomacy in Geneva will take place on Monday, 24th June from 1 PM to 3 PM in room XX, co-organised by the Presidency, the Gender Focal Point, and UN Women.

For the full draft programme of work for HRC56, please click here.