Open letter: Concerns over Somalia’s voting record at the UN Human Rights Council
H.E. Mr. Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed “Farmaajo” President of the Federal Republic of Somalia Cc.: H.E. Mr. Hassan Ali Khayre, Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Ambassador Ahmed Isse Awad, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation H.E. Ms. Deqa Yasin, Minister of Women and Human Rights Development H.E. Ms. Ebyan Mahamed Salah, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Somalia […]
Reflections on the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council
Oral statements to the Council Advocacy documents and press releases Side-events at the Council Outcomes and resolutions My delegation took an active part in the last UN Human Rights Council session of the year, the HRC’s 42nd regular session (HRC42, 9-27 September 2019). The session witnessed a record number of resolutions adopted by the Council for […]
DefendDefenders’ oral statements at HRC42
Oral statements delivered by DefendDefenders at the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC42, 9-27 September 2019).
Sudan: ensuring a credible response by the UN Human Rights Council
Ahead of the 42nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC42), Sudanese, regional and international civil society organisations urge the Council to address serious human rights violations and abuses in Sudan and support systemic reforms in the country.
Burundi: Extend CoI mandate for a further year
Ahead of the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, NGOs call on States to support a resolution extending the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on Burundi for a further year, until September 2020.
Reflections on the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council
Oral statements to the Council Briefing papers and press releases Side-events at the Council Outcomes and resolutions My delegation attended the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC41), building on successful outcomes of previous sessions. We emphasise that being a member of the Council does not prevent scrutiny, and that the Council should stand […]
Kenya: DefendDefenders submits joint report to the 35th Session of the UPR Working Group
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all United Nations Member States. The process provides for the participation of all relevant stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and national human rights institutions (NHRIs). Civil society actors and NHRIs can submit information which can be […]
By remaining silent on Sudan, the UN Human Rights Council validates the sidelining of human rights
After failing to convene an emergency session on Sudan in the aftermath of the 3 June massacre, and failing to hold an urgent debate during its 41st ongoing regular session, the UN Human Rights Council (“Council”) is set to fail to adopt a resolution on the country. By remaining silent on Sudan, the Council validates the sidelining of human rights from the regional mediation process and overall political efforts to settle the crisis, DefendDefenders said today.
No Advice without Knowledge: Scrutiny elements in the UN Human Rights Council’s item 10 resolutions
In a report published today, DefendDefenders analyses the content and evolution of resolutions adopted by the UN Human Rights Council (hereafter “Council”) in the framework of its agenda item 10, which is dedicated to technical assistance and capacity-building. No Advice without Knowledge focuses on the presence of scrutiny (understood as monitoring and public reporting) elements in […]
Eritrea: the UN should ensure continued scrutiny of the human rights situation
In a joint letter released today, DefendDefenders and partner NGOs call on the UN Human Rights Council to adopt a resolution ensuring continued scrutiny of the human rights situation in Eritrea. The Council should take this step at its upcoming 41st session (HRC41, 24 June-12 July 2019). The letter elaborates on a paper DefendDefenders published in May 2019, […]