IIMA and VIDES Participation in the 60th Session of the Human Rights Council

The 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council took place from 8 September to 8 October 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The agenda featured a wide range of discussions focused on key human rights issues.

IIMA and VIDES delivered two oral statements on item 3. In particular, during the Interactive Dialogue (ID) with the Special Rapporteur (SR) on the right to development (text and video), they welcomed the report on his visit to Honduras, expressing concern that 40% of children in the country are still out of school. They called on Honduras to ensure access to bilingual and quality education for all, especially for indigenous and Afro-Honduran communities, to adopt measures to protect children and women from violence and discrimination, and effectively address the challenges caused by natural disasters.
In the Biennial panel discussion on youth and human rights (text and video), IIMA and VIDES underlined, in their oral statement, the crucial role young people play in building peaceful societies. Empowered youth, in fact, when given the right opportunities, are able to unlock their potential as peacebuilders. For the full enjoyment of youth rights, IIMA and VIDES urged Member States to remove the barriers to young people’s participation in decision-making processes and to guarantee both quality education and Human Rights Education for young people.

On the occasion of the adoption of the UPR outcomes at the Human Rights Council, IIMA and VIDES delivered oral statements on Kenya and Spain.

Regarding Kenya, IIMA and VIDES expressed concern about the high risks of gross human rights violations to which children and young people are exposed online. These challenges are linked to the lack of digital literacy programmes that would allow youth to use the internet safely and report abuses. IIMA and VIDES also urged the government of Kenya to ensure access to digital learning tools, to take concrete measures to address mental health issues affecting young people and promote the reintegration of children into their families (text and video).
Concerning Spain’s UPR adoption, IIMA and VIDES commended its progress in youth’s role in shaping environmental policies. They urged Spain to adopt concrete policies to eradicate school dropouts, combat discrimination against vulnerable children, and ensure adequate mental health services for children and young people over 18 (text and video).

All statements were prepared and delivered by young representatives from Italy and the United States, highlighting the increasingly decisive role that new generations play in multilateral human rights processes.

Finally, IIMA and VIDES, as members of the Geneva Forum, co-sponsored a side event organized by APG23 and the Permanent Mission of the Holy See, on how to build peace through human rights, development, and international solidarity. The event offered a valuable space for dialogue and exchange on concrete strategies to foster a more just and peaceful world.

 

All texts and videos of the oral statements are available on the IIMA website.