A Step Forward on Human Rights
The Opening of United Nations Human Rights Council, Geneva 19 June 2006
Today, the long awaited UN Human Rights Council starts its 1st Session from June 19-30, 2006. The Council was opened by MR. Jan Eliasson (Sweden), the President of 60th Session of the UN General Assembly. In his opening remark, Ambassador Eliasson recognized this Council as a result of a long negotiation. He expected the Council to be able to serve as a fresh start of the work of the UN in Human Rights. Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General in his speech put the underline on the historical importance of this Council on showing the commitment of the UN to promote and protect the human rights. The f1st Session is presided by Ambassador de Alba from Mexico. Also present on this opening session, Ms. Louise Harbour, the High Commissioner on Human Rights and Ms. Wangari Mathai, the Nobel Peace Winner.
Pax Romana has been working along with other international, regional and national NGOs on the preparation of this historical moment. Pax Romana has put its focus on the NGO participation on the present and future work of the Council. In this regard, Pax Romana has organized two NGO Informal Coordination Consultations with the permanent delegations. These two meetings were attended by the President of the Council (then the chair-designate of the Council). Pax Romana also attended periodical private consultations between main International NGOs and Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights. Still in the participation NGOs, Pax Romana has worked substantially in bringing the 5 representations of NGOs to speak in the end of the Inaugural Session. The involvement of the voice of NGOs representing civil society in the Inaugural of the 1st UN Human Rights Council has laid a positive historical legitimacy on the work of the NGOs in the United Nations Human Rights Mechanism.
In term of substance, Pax Romana has prepared a joint written statement on Human Rights Education which is co-signed by 25 NGOs. Equally, Pax Romana co-signed a joint written statement on the Mandate and Work of Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religious and Belief. Pax Romana is also preparing joints statements on the issues of human rights education and learning and universal periodic review, and delivers it when the procedure of the Council allows.
Please have a look at the related documents in the links below where Pax Romana has been involved.
- Joint Statement by NGOs on the Mandate and Work of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
- Joint statement by NGOs on human rights education and learning
- Roundtable Discussion on NGO Participation in the Human Rights Council
- Notes from 2nd Roundtable Sharing and Discussion on the NGO Participation On the 1st Human Rights Council
For further information, please contact:
Budi Tjahjono (budi@paxromana.int.ch)
Programme Coordinator
Pax Romana ICMICA/MIIC
15 rue du Grand Bureau, CP 374
1211 Geneva 4, SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 823 0707 Fax: +41 22 823 0708
