un geneva
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Human Rights Council Elections 2019
In October 2019, in New York, the UN General Assembly will elect 14 new members of the 47-member State Human Rights Council.
Two of the rotating 14 seats are currently open to countries from Latin America and the Caribbean regional group.
Until last week, only Venezuela and Brazil were standing as candidates for these two seats – which meant that both were guaranteed election to membership.
This all changed at the beginning of October, when Costa Rica announced that it was throwing its hat into the ring. It is standing explicitly as an alternative to Venezuela, whom it has deemed unsuitable to be a Human Rights Council member because of its grave human rights violations. Now, with three candidates standing for two seats, the election is suddenly much more meaningful.
At the last Session, the High Commissioner delivered a report on Venezuela which stated that over the last decade, in particular since 2016, Venezuela’s government has implemented a strategy “aimed at neutralising, repressing and criminalising political opponents and people critical of the Government.” The High Commissioner found that a series of laws, policies and practices have constrained civic and democratic space, allowing patterns of violation. The Council adopted a resolution on Venezuela to continue to monitor and report on these serious human rights violations. Many organisations believe that with its current record, Venezuela should not even stand for election, much less be voted in.
As a current member of the Council up for re-election, Brazil has supported resolutions tackling human rights crises around the world. But since the beginning of the new administration it has seen an increase in violent rhetoric and, over the last year, a curtailment in human rights protections, anti-minorities policies and attacks against Human Rights Council mechanisms. Its influence in the region and beyond, Brazilian and regional and international organisations believe that it could pose a significant threat to multilateralism.
There have been substantial civil society efforts from within both Brazil and Venezuela to advocate against their respective election to the Council. CIVICUS has members in both countries. Following the lead from our members on the ground, we believe that neither Brazil nor Venezuela should be elected to a seat on the UN’s main human rights body. CIVICUS recommends that states do not cast a ballot in favour of either country in a symbolic gesture to reject both candidates.
There have always been repressive governments on the HRC – China, Iran and Saudi Arabia, for example, are among the Council’s current members – and this upcoming three-way fight can almost be seen as a microcosm of this wider dynamic.
The Human Rights Council is the main intergovernmental body within the UN responsible for addressing human rights violations. As such, we believe that its members have a responsibility to uphold universal human rights and multilateralism. CIVICUS will continue to advocate for that states with poor human rights records, or states which undermine the aims and commitments of the Human Rights Council, should not be elected to its membership, and we call on UN member states to refuse to cast their ballots for those who fall short. This may only be a symbolic gesture, but it is an important one: for the Human Rights Council to adequately protect human rights around the world, it needs to demand more of its membership.
In the meantime, we welcome Costa Rica’s courage and commitment in standing for membership, and we look forward to working with the delegation in Geneva in our shared vision for universal human rights.
The other States up for election are:
African Group:Benin,Libya,Mauritania andSudan (with four seats available)
Asia-Pacific Group:Indonesia,Iraq,Japan,Marshall Islands andRepublic of Korea (competing for four seats)
Eastern European Group:Armenia,Republic of Moldova andPoland (competing for two seats)
Western European and Others Group:Germany and theNetherlands (with two seats available).
For more information on the human rights records of these states, see ISHR’s ‘scorecards' for each State standing for election to the UN Human Rights Council.
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Human Rights Council: Response to opening remarks from the High Commissioner for Human Rights
CIVICUS welcomes the High Commissioner’s comprehensive update this morning. We share his myriad concerns and laud his continued support for the creation of an enabling environment for civil society at both the Council and nationally.
Mr. President, six out of seven people live in countries where civil society groups and HRDs face substantial challenges in exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of assembly, association and expression. Under the guise of safeguarding state sovereignty, combating terrorism and the preservation of morals, governments in both the Global North and South are adopting regressive legislation and engaging in illicit surveillance, deadly forms of harassment and threats to silence voices of dissent.
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Human Rights Council's Thematic Report on the Seminar on Peaceful Protests
CIVICUS welcomes the Human Rights Council’s report on the Seminar on effective measures and best practices to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protest.
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Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories
23rd session of the
Human Rights Council
Item 7Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories
General Debate
Statement delivered by Enrica BaragoThank you Mr President,
CIVICUS warmly welcomes Israel’s decision to pursue its dialogue with the Human
Rights Council and hopes it will cooperate with its mechanisms in a positive and meaningful spirit.CIVICUS wishes to use this opportunity to reassert a number of concerns regarding the situation that prevails in Israel as well as in Palestine and in the Occupied Territories. Israel failed to comply with its legal responsibilities as the Occupying power. Additionally, in the context of the prolonged occupation, International Humanitarian Law shows its limits that should be addressed by the ICRC or by a special Commission of Inquiry as stated by Mr Falk.
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Human Rights Situation in Syria - CIVICUS Statement at the 25th Special Session
We remain deeply alarmed by the humanitarian crisis in Aleppo and the rapidly deteriorating human rights situation across Syria. The renewed and indiscriminate attacks by the Syrian Government and its allies on the besieged areas of Eastern Aleppo have had devastating consequences for its civilian population and the city’s remaining social infrastructure. Hundreds of thousands of civilians remain trapped in Aleppo, largely deprived of access to potentially life-saving relief. The attack on a humanitarian convoy last month and the bombing and shelling of hospitals, rescue structures and schools are against the minimal provisions of international humanitarian law and, if done deliberatively, constitute crimes against humanity.
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Human Rights situations that require the Council's attention
18th session of the Human Rights Council Item 4
Delivered by Renate Bloem
Thank you Mme President,
During the recent 10th World Assembly of CIVICUS (10-12 September) our members and partners from the ground asked to bring to the Council following strong concerns:
1. Syria: With the death toll and arbitrary detention each day increasing - most recently Gayath Matar, a 26 years old, was arrested and died under torture and his body was sent back to his family with harsh bruises- the Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND) and CIVICUS condemn strongly this cycle of violence and terror. We welcome the appointment of the International Commission on Inquiry, but ask for depth investigation, field visits all around the country and insurance that witnesses and interrogated people will be safe of reprisals.
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Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention
21h session of the
Human Rights Council
Item4Delivered by Renate Bloem
Thank you Madam President,
CIVICUS has repeatedly urged the Ethiopian Government to realign its policy to international human rights law. Following passing of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s we believe that now is the time for the new leadership to recommit the State to the full respect of its population’s human rights. The Council and Ethiopia’s international partners should equally take the opportunity to call for a number of pressing reforms to re-establish respect for the freedoms of association, assembly and expression as a matter of priority during this time of transition. In particular, we ask HRC member and observer states to call upon Ethiopian authorities to- Amend the 2009 Ethiopian Charities and Societies Proclamation to remove restrictions on human rights organizations and bring the Proclamation in line with the Ethiopian Constitution and international human rights obligations, including the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders
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Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention: North Korea, Syria, Egypt and Bahrain
CIVICUS is deeply concerned about the situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), its unparalleled human rights violations, about the governments terrorization, murder, torture, mass starvation, lack of freedom of movement for its citizens both within the country as well as abroad. We therefore join recommendations of the Commission on Inquiry to ask the Security Council for DPRK’s referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC)
CIVICUS also continues to be concerned about Syria and with the third year anniversary is supporting a new campaign to raise awareness about the ongoing crisis. www.with-Syria.org
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Human Rights Violations in Cambodia: Joint letter to UN HRC calling for resolution
12 international, regional, and Cambodian non-governmental organizations (NGOs), urge the Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the United Nations Human Rights Council to adopt a resolution addressing Cambodia's gravely deteriorating human rights situation.
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HUNGARY: UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW - CIVICUS Statement at the Human Rights Council
33nd session of the Human Rights Council
CIVICUS welcomes Hungary’s commitment to engage with the Universal Periodic Review process and takes seriously the recommendations made by states and other stakeholders during the 2nd cycle review.
We urge the Government of Hungary to accept all recommendations made, and draw particular attention to those recommendations related to the recent erosion of respect for fundamental freedoms of association, peaceful assembly and expression.
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Interactive Dialogue on access to safe drinking water and sanitation and on arbitrary detention
CIVICUS thanks the Special Rapporteur on access to safe drinking water and sanitation for his very innovative report, for looking through the gender lens on the myriad challenges women face in tackling the material and structural determinants of gender inequalities in access to water, sanitation and hygiene which could serve as an entry point to address gender inequality more broadly. We particularly thank him for making the link to participation, not only as a right in itself, but also imperative for fulfilling other rights. We concur that.the lack of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities that meet women’s and girls’ needs can be largely attributed to the absence of women’s participation in decision-making and planning.
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Interactive Dialogue on Burundi - Civicus Statement at the Human Rights Council
33rd session of the Human Rights Council
CIVICUS welcomes the final report of the Independent Experts and commends them for their clear analysis of the shocking situation of human rights in Burundi.
We note that the report concedes that violence against human rights defenders, journalists and ordinary citizens continues unabated and those who are behind the violence act with unacceptable impunity.
Mr. President, we agree with the findings of the report on the enforced disappearances, abductions, killings, torture, arrests and detentions of those perceived to be opponents of the regime. Human rights defenders, journalists and ordinary citizens have been killed, others been abducted and taken to unknown locations. Those fortunate enough to be released alive are tortured before they are released.
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Interactive Dialogue on Somalia - Joint Statement at the Human Rights Council
33rd session of the Human Rights Council
CIVICUS and the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project thank the Independent Expert on Somalia for his report.
As Somalia prepares for its electoral process later this year, we take this opportunity to welcome steps taken by the government to strengthen its human rights framework in preparation for the election.
While recognising this progress, we call on Somali authorities to make a concerted effort to address undue restrictions on freedom of expression. In particular, we call on Somalia to ensure that government officials’ threats and intimidation of media workers are swiftly and effectively investigated. In June 2016, Puntland Ministry of Information issued a directive restricting journalists from interviewing persons linked to pirates and terrorists, and in an audio recording, the Minister of Information threatened to use force and to kill journalists who violate the order. Although Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the majority of violations committed against media workers, the Government should cease its practice of closing radio stations and arresting journalists deemed critical.
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Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
32nd Session of the Human Rights Council
While religious fundamentalism continues to dominate international headlines and many of the proceedings of the Council, we urge all states to acknowledge how various iterations of fundamentalism undermine the realization of human rights, including the right to assembly and association. While less visceral than religious fundamentalism, market, political, cultural and nationalism forms of fundamentalism, must assume greater prominence within discussions at the Council.
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Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Cambodia - Joint Statement at the Human Rights Council
33rd session of the Human Rights Council
Joint Oral Submission
World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR) and CIVICUSNext month marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the signing of the Paris Peace Agreements, which set out a framework for peace in Cambodia based on a multi-party democracy guaranteeing human rights; however, the past year has seen the pillars of Cambodian democracy come under attack.
Despite the Council’s call in October 2015 for the government “to promote a pluralistic and democratic process”, political opposition have systematically been targeted: last October two opposition lawmakers were brutally beaten by members of the Prime Minister’s Bodyguard Unit; opposition leader Sam Rainsy faces charges for defamation and remains in self-imposed exile; and earlier this month acting opposition leader Kem Sokha was sentenced to five months imprisonment following a criminal investigation widely considered to be politically motivated.
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Interactive Dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples - CIVICUS Statement
33rd session of the Human Rights Council
CIVICUS welcomes the Special Rapporteur’s report on the rights of indigenous peoples and its contribution towards the development of a stronger guiding framework on the relationship between business and human rights. We especially applaud the Special Rapporteur’s thematic analysis of the impact of international investment agreements on the rights of indigenous peoples within the context of achieving greater coherence between international investment law and international human rights standards to safeguard the fulfilment of states’ duties to protect and promote the rights of indigenous peoples.
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Joint call for Human Rights Council Special Session on Myanmar
Joint statement by human rights organisations calling UN Human Rights Council to convene a Special Session on Myanmar.
We, the undersigned human rights organisations, are deeply concerned by the human rights situation in Myanmar after the military seized power and immediately cracked down on the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly and urge the United Nations Human Rights Council to take immediate action.
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Joint CIVICUS & Save the Children UN Human Rights Council Statement on civic space for children
Joint NGO Oral Statement by Save the Children, CIVICUS and 17 NGOs
A strong, diverse and independent civil society is also a space for children. Children, who constitute more than 30% of the world’s population, have the right to be heard and participate in different spheres of society. Children want to participate in public processes. We need them to speak out to better respond to their situation. Despite this, children’s voices are often marginalized.
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Joint CIVICUS EHAHRDP Burundi UNHRC Oral Statement
CIVICUS and the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP) welcome the holding of this Special Session and the Council’s effort to address the escalation of violence and gross violations of human rights in Burundi.
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Joint CIVICUS UN HRC statement on the Commission of Inquiry on Eritrea
Human Rights Council: 32nd Session
CIVICUS and Citizens for Democratic Rights in Eritrea welcome the report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on Eritrea.
We remain deeply concerned by the findings presented in the CoI’s report, including those amounting to crimes against humanity, which indicate that there has been no material improvement in human rights situation on the ground. We note with particular alarm that extensive violations of freedom of expression, assembly and association continue unabated. The absolute and violent repression of all forms of dissent and civil society freedoms in Eritrea is emblematic of the extreme consequences of denying people the right to participate in the development of the state.