On the 28th of February, the Human Rights Council held a panel discussion on human rights mainstreaming and international cooperation. The panel opened with a message from United Nations Secretary-General Ban-ki Moon recalling that respect for human rights is a responsibility for all United Nations Member States and agencies. The message was followed by the speech of Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which affirmed that an increasing number of United Nations agencies were integrating human rights into their internal policies and were actively involved, through their...

On February 28th, 2012 the Human Rights Council held an urgent debate on the human rights and humanitarian situation in the Syrian Arab Republic.Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser (President of the UN General Assembly) opened the meeting affirming that the report on Syria published by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria painted a dire picture of the situation on the ground. The Syrian Government has clearly failed in its responsibility to protect its people; on the contrary, its forces have committed serious human rights violations. Then Mr. Al-Nasser highlighted the...

On February 27, 2012 the Human Rights Council opened its 19th session at Palais des Nations, Geneva. In the opening remarks, senior officials underlined how the United Nations’ commitment in protecting and promoting human rights is now as vital as ever, as demonstrated by the recent uprisings in the Arab region.The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navi Pillay, stressed that the public request for the enjoyment of human rights against exclusion, inequality and discrimination has also emerged on other continents and that, despite its budgetary restrictions, the Office of...

From the 20th to the 24th of February 2012, the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee held its 8th session at Palais des Nations, Geneva. The experts addressed, among other things, the issues of the right to peace and traditional values of humankind.With regard to the right to peace, a draft declaration on this subject has been reviewed. While opening the session, Mr. Heinz affirmed that both individuals and peoples are entitled to the right to peace, which nevertheless must be implemented by States individually, jointly, or as part of multilateral...

On February 21, 2012 the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women considered the combined second, third, fourth and fifth periodic reports of Zimbabwe relating to how that country is implementing the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.Introducing the report, Ms. Olivia Muchena, Minister of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development, said that Zimbabwe had embarked on a Constitution making process in 2009, which would enhance the full citizenship and equality of women. In April 2009, a women's conference was held...

On the 16th of February 2012, Norway was reviewed by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), at Palais Des Nations, Geneva. Mr. Audun Lysbakken, Minister of Children, Equality, and Social Inclusion, presented the eighth national report affirming that, despite Norway being one of the first countries to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, several challenges remained. Different issues were presented by the Minister, like  gender-based violence (domestic violence and violence perpetrated in the street), the political representation of women...

The Office of the Secretary General of the United Nations released a short statement on January 27th, 2012, to mark the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust, this year dedicated especially to the children.  The requiem reminded that, though they were the overwhelming majority, not only Jewish children but also disabled, Romany and Sinthi children and all other children of any race or group deemed “inferior” were exterminated at the hands of their Nazi persecutors.  The statement went on to highlight the various forms...

On the 23rd and 24th of November 2011, on the occasion of the 47th Session of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR), the report submitted by the Republic of Argentina was reviewed. The CESCR is a United Nations body of 18 experts that monitors the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights by State parties. During the two-day debate many issues were raised by the members of the committee, regarding especially child labor, right to education, right to water and sanitation. Special attention...

On the 5th of December, as the United Nations resolution 40/212 establishes, the International Volunteer Day is observed. On occasion of this upcoming event, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon highlighted the precious commitment of volunteers around the world and called on civil society and simple people to positively contribute to this solidarity campaign:"Beginning with the words “We the peoples”, the United Nations Charter reminds us that crafting solutions to global challenges is a job not only for Governments, but for people, communities and civil society. On International Volunteer Day, we recognize the...

The expert consultation held on November 1-2, titled “Promoting the rights of children working and/or living on the street: Bridging the gaps between policy and practice,” aimed to solidify the Global Research Paper on street children in order complete the document by the end of 2011. Gathered at the meeting were field experts, country missions, and civil society representatives working to contribute tangible results to the report. The meeting was sponsored by the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner and co-sponsored by Aviva, Consortium for Street Children,...