UN HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS

The Geneva Centre closely monitored the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC55), held from 26 February to 5 April 2024 at Palais des Nations in Geneva.

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During the 55 session, the Council considered thematic issues including the interactive dialogues with the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard of living, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, role of good governance, right to privacy, freedom of religion or belief, rights of persons with disabilities, rights of the child, youth and human rights, human rights and climate change, and human rights and the environment, to name a few.

Country-specific topics include interactive dialogues with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, Myanmar, South Sudan, Nicaragua, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice, Sudan, Afghanistan, in the Islamic Republic of Iran, in the Syrian Arab Republic, to name a few.

The panel discussions (6) analyzed the human rights mainstreaming, considering harnessing multilateral efforts to embed, amplify and realize the rights of persons with disabilities, with a focus on full and effective participation and inclusion in society; countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence; challenges and good practices to realize the right to social security and to provide quality public services; the rights of persons with disabilities; the rights of the child and the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. 

The President of the Human Rights Council announced the appointment of the following 14 Special Procedure mandate holders:

1. Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, member from Africa, Mr. Ojot Miru OJULU (Ethiopia)
2. Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, member from North America, Ms. Sheryl LIGHTFOOT (Canada)
3. Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, Mr. George KATROUGALOS (Greece)
4. Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali, Mr. Eduardo GONZALEZ (Peru)
5. Special Rapporteur on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment, Ms. Astrid PUENTES RIAÑO (Mexico)
6. Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change, Ms. Elisa MORGERA (Italy)
7. Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, Mr. Bernard DUHAIME (Canada)
8. Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Ms. Gina Paola ROMERO RODRIGUEZ (Colombia)
9. Working Group on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas, member from African States, Ms. Uche Ewelukwa OFODILE (Nigeria)
10. Working Group on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas, member from Asia-Pacific States, Ms. Shalmali GUTTAL (India)
11. Working Group on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas, member from Eastern European States, Mr. Davit HAKOBYAN (Armenia)
12. Working Group on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas, member from Latin American and Caribbean States, Mr. Carlos DUARTE (Colombia)
13. Working Group on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas, member from Western European and other States, Ms. Geneviève SAVIGNY (France)
14. Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination, member from African States, Ms. Michelle René SMALL (South Africa)

For queries or comments contact Ms. Catia Trevisani: ctrevisani@gchragd.org

Cover photo credits: Shutterstock