UN Human Rights Council
Interviewed with Huridocs
Dear All,
I was interviewed by Huridocs on the evaluation of first UPR Working Group together with Yves Lador (Earth Justice).
I would like to share it with you. See www.huridocs.org/involved/conference/interview
Best regard,
Pax Romana meets Ms. Louise Harbour, the High Commissioner on Human Rights
This week the 1st Session of Human Rights Council has concluded its Inaugural Session which include the High Level Segment. The general issues mentioned by the speeches of the dignitaries of the HLS included:
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.
Notes from 2nd Roundtable Sharing and Discussion on the NGO Participation On the 1st Human Rights Council
Geneva, 31 May 20061
The 2nd Roundtable Sharing Discussion on NGO Participation was held as the follow up of the first meeting which took place on May 18, 2006. Around 50 participants attended this roundtable which included NGOs, Permanent Missions member of the Human Rights Council, Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights and the United Nations Office in Geneva. The purpose of this meeting was an informal exchange of views on information related to Human Rights Council between permanent delegations, NGO's and OHCHR on the issues of:
Roundtable Discussion on NGO Participation in the Human Rights Council
18 May, 20061
The purpose of this meeting was to solicit an informal exchange of views between delegations and NGO's on the issues related to NGO participation and access to the Human Rights Council. Specifically, six clusters were presented as possible discussion points. The meeting itself was attended by NGO and governmental representatives, and the discussion points sparked a lively and interactive dialogue about these important issues.
Joint statement by NGOs on human rights education and learning
The United Nations has been constructively promoting human rights education, as an effective tool for both the prevention of human rights violations and the improvement of human rights protection. Human rights education and learning serve to realise mutual respect for human rights, disseminate relevant information on human rights and help to shape better behaviour toward a culture of human rights, that will foster mutual understanding and tolerance between diverse societies and cultures. The United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education (1995-2004) aimed to raise global awareness of human rights and promote such a universal human rights culture. The Decade was followed by the World Programme for Human Rights Education, of which the Plan of Action was adopted by the General Assembly (A/59/525) and started 1 January 2005 with its first phase (2005-2007) focusing on human rights education in primary and secondary school systems. The World Programme is now an ongoing global process structured in consecutive phases focusing on a specific sector or theme for every phase to follow.
Joint Statement by NGOs on the Mandate and Work of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 25 November 1981, and the 20th anniversary of the creation of the mandate on religious intolerance/freedom of religion or belief, it is urgent to pay close attention to the conclusions and recommendations in the latest report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ms Asma Jahangir (E/CN.4/2006/5); this could not be considered sufficiently at the truncated 62nd session of the Commission on Human Rights. It is to be hoped that the new Human Rights Council will quickly resolve structural and procedural matters and give its early attention to substantive issues such as are raised in the reports of special procedures.
