HRC :: 10 years
Organizations prepare document to improve the work of the UN Human Rights Council
The year in which the HRC (Human Rights Council of the United Nations) completes its 10th anniversary, civil society organizations have prepared a document that outlines a series of proposals to strengthen the work of the body and enhance its impact around world. The Geneva-based Council was created in 2006 and is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights on the global level.
Signed by 20 international civil organizations, among them Conectas, one of the main criticisms of the document is the lack of prompt and concrete actions by the body to effectively combat violations around the world. “The document proposes steps that can be taken now to develop a Council that is more accessible, effective and protective of all in the future,” said Michael Ineichen, a representative of ISRH (International Service for Human Rights), in a statement.
Ineichen went on to say that “if the document’s proposals are put into practice, it is likely that the HRC would substantially strengthen and enhance its mandate as a defender of human rights”.
Camila Asano, coordinator of the Foreign Policy program at Conectas, said the huge distance between the Council and the local communities of different countries “is worrying and indicative of the limited disclosure of what is being discussed in Geneva by the Council’s member states”.
According to the organizations, the document will be released officially at the upcoming high-level events in Geneva and New York.
- Click here to read the full document.
