Inside Track HRC43 looks ahead at the 43rd regular session of the Council, which runs from 24th February to 20th March 2020. It aims to provide those interested in the Council’s work with an at-a-glance brief on what to expect from HRC43: 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 HRC43 include:
- Over 100 high-level dignitaries and officials are expected to attend the three-day High-Level Segment of HRC43, including, inter alia: H.E. Mr. Milo Đukanović, President of Montenegro, H.E. Ms. Mariella Mularoni and H.E. Mr. Luca Boschi, Captains Regent of the Republic of San Marino, H.E. Mr. Faiez Mustafa Serraj, President of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord of Libya, H.E. Ms. Epsy Campbell Barr, Vice-President of Costa Rica, H.E. Mr. Yousef Al Othaimeen, Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, H.E. Ms. Patricia Scotland, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, H.E. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, and H.E. Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, President of the General Assembly. So far, a total of four heads or deputy heads of State, and 90 ministers or vice-ministers are scheduled to address the Council.
- On 27 February, H.E. Ms. Michelle Bachelet, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, will give an oral update on the human rights situation around the world. This will provide the basis for an interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner on 27 and 28 February.
- 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:
- combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, stigmatization, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons, based on religion or belief;
- implications of the lack of integrity of the judicial system for human rights;
- question of the realisation in all countries of economic, social and cultural rights;
- realising the rights of the child through a healthy environment;
- safety of journalists and the issue of impunity.
- The Council will consider reports from, and hold interactive dialogues with, 19 Special Procedures (five country-specific and 14 thematic), including those dealing with: persons with disabilities; environment; adequate housing; food; torture; freedom of religion or belief; foreign debt; sale of children; albinism; cultural rights; counter terrorism; human rights defenders; privacy; minority issues; the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; Eritrea; Iran (Islamic Republic of); Mali; and Myanmar.
- The Council is expected to act on between 40 and 45 draft resolutions and other texts. Additionally, it is expected to appoint 19 new mandate holders.
Find the English version of the Inside Track here.
Find the French version of the Inside Track here.
