UN HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS

Introducing a Brand-New Monitoring and Reporting Procedure on the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC58)

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From 24 to 26 February 2025, the Council had the privilege to welcome to its lofty rostrum 128 dignitaries in the framework of the High-Level Segment, which clearly reflects a vibrant and broad national commitment to human rights as well as the faith and trust States place in UN human rights mechanisms.

From 24 February to 2 April 2025, the Council’s attention will be drawn to a wide array of thematic and country-specific situations. Interactive dialogues on extremely rich thematic issues will range from core civil and political rights to economic, social and cultural rights such as the absolute prohibition of torture; freedom of religion or belief; the rights to privacy, food, and adequate housing; the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment; cultural rights; the impact of foreign debt on fundamental rights; and a human-rights based approach to countering terrorism. Moreover, it is noteworthy to pay a closer look at the very first OHCHR’s report on human rights and transitional justice.

The 58th session also has a special focus on children’s rights with a spotlight on early childhood development (panel discussion), the sale of children (ID with Special Rapporteur), and children in the context of armed conflict (ID with Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General). During its 58th session, the Council will also welcome on its stage the newly appointed Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Prof. Nicolas Levrat, alongside the Special Rapporteurs on albinism and disabilities.

Country-specific mandates will focus their attention on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Belarus, the PDRK, Eritrea, Iran, Myanmar, Nicaragua, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Venezuela. The 58th session is also marked by extremely important country updates by High Commissioner Volker Türk on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Myanmar as well as OHCHR’s country reports and updates on Colombia, Cyprus, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Sudan.

In a remarkable array of panel discussions, the Council will touch upon the rights of children and persons with disabilities; human rights mainstreaming; early warning and genocide prevention; the rights to work and social security; and HIV response and leaving no one behind. Furthermore, the Council will commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

During the brief timespan dedicated to technical assistance and capacity-building, the Council will hold interactive dialogues touching upon the DRC, Haiti, Mali, South Sudan and Ukraine.

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