Human Rights Council Concludes its General Debate on Human Rights Situations that Require the Council’s Attention
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15 March 2021
The Human Rights Council this morning concluded its general debate on human rights situations that require the Council s attention.
Some speakers said civil space was shrinking across the world as human rights defenders, protestors and journalists were facing ever-more hostile environments. Some speakers emphasised that the promotion and protection of human rights must comply with the principles of State sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs of States. Certain rights were regrettably given more importance by some discourses, rejecting national particularities of each country. The right to development was universal and must be addressed within a global context through a non-politicized process, avoiding the practice of naming and shaming. In order to ensure this process was constructive, concern
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10 March 2021
10 March 2021
The Human Rights Council this morning concluded its general debate on the promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development.
Speakers emphasised that human rights defenders were at the forefront of protecting human rights; violence against them was a warning sign of broader human rights violations to come. All human rights defenders who were arbitrarily detained must be released and their work must be protected. Women and girls disproportionately suffered from gender-based violence and men disproportionately committed it. Orphaned children were some of the most vulnerable in all societies, which needed to protect them - their spirit was inspiring. Some speakers stated that it was outrageous that the Human Rights Council supported abortion. Children in conflict were in need of prioritized care, and realistic initiatives from States to support civil so
Human Rights Council Concludes General Debate on the Promotion and Protection of All Human Rights
Format
The Human Rights Council this morning concluded its general debate on the promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development.
Speakers emphasised that human rights defenders were at the forefront of protecting human rights; violence against them was a warning sign of broader human rights violations to come. All human rights defenders who were arbitrarily detained must be released and their work must be protected. Women and girls disproportionately suffered from gender-based violence and men disproportionately committed it. Orphaned children were some of the most vulnerable in all societies, which needed to protect them - their spirit was inspiring. Some speakers stated that it was outrageous that the Human Rights Council supported abortion. Children in conflict were in need of prioritized care
3 March 2021
Special Rapporteur on the Environment Draws Attention to the Worsening Water Crisis
The Human Rights Council this afternoon held an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, and started an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment. It also concluded its interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the enjoyment of human rights of persons with albinism.
Karima Bennoune, Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, warned that the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to a global “cultural catastrophe” with severe, long-lasting consequences for human rights if effective action was not taken immediately to guarantee cultural rights. Culture sectors had been among those hardest hit. The economic crisis accompanying the pandemic had had disproportionate effects on cultural sectors and those who worked in them. There had been gendered repercussions of
Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief to Human Rights Council: Islamophobia is a Result of Structural Discrimination Stemming from Negative Stereotypes
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Council Concludes Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on the Effects of Foreign Debt
The Human Rights Council this morning started an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief on his report on countering Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred to eliminate discrimination and intolerance based on religion or belief. The Council also concluded the interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt.
Ahmad Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, highlighted that expressions of discrimination, hostility and violence motivated by anti-Muslim bias were serious obstacles to the enjoyment of human rights. The dangers of Islamophobia were manifested through violent attacks against Muslims across the globe, with the majori