Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: During the 20th Session of the Human Rights Council, a number of resolutions were adopted.
Below are selected resolutions adopted by the Human Rights Council during the 20th session. Country issues
In a resolution (A/HRC/20/L.7) regarding the situation of human rights in Belarus, adopted by a vote of 22 votes in favour, five against and 20 abstentions, the Council expresses grave concern at the findings that suggest the existence of a systematic pattern of serious violations of human rights including intensified restrictions on the fundamental freedoms as well as allegations of torture and ill-treatment in custody and impunity of perpetrators; and decides to appoint a Special Rapporteur to monitor the situation of human rights in Belarus and to make recommendations for its improvement.
In a resolution (A/HRC/20/L19) regarding the situation of human rights in Eritrea, adopted without a vote as orally revised, the Council strongly condemns the continued violations of human rights committed by the Eritrean authorities, including arbitrary executions, enforced disappearances and systematic use of torture; the severe restrictions on freedom of expression, and the shoot-to-kill practice employed on the borders of Eritrea to stop citizens seeking to flee their country. The Council decides to appoint a Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea.
In a resolution (A/HRC/20/L.20) regarding the situation of human rights in the Republic of Mali, adopted without a vote as orally revised, the Council condemns the human rights violations and acts of violence committed in northern Mali, in particular by the rebels, terrorist groups and other organized transnational crime networks; expresses support for current efforts by the African Union and ECOWAS to settle the crisis and invites the High Commissioner for Human Rights to monitor the human rights situation in the north of the Republic of Mali and to report thereon to the Council.
In a resolution (A/HRC/20/L.22) regarding the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic, adopted by 41 votes in favour, three against and three abstentions as orally revised, the Council strongly condemns the widespread, systematic and gross violations of human rights and the continued extrajudicial killings and prosecution of protestors, human rights defenders and journalists. The Council reiterates the importance of bringing to justice those responsible for the use of violence and encourages the international community to ensure against impunity. The Council rejected proposed amendments to the resolution by a vote of 33 against, eight for and six abstentions.
In a resolution (A/HRC/20/L2.Rev1 currently only available in French) regarding assistance to Somalia in the field of human rights, adopted without a vote, the Council strongly condemns the grave and systematic human rights abuses perpetrated against the civilian population. It decides to extend the mandate of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia for one year in order to support the efforts of the Transitional Federal Government and Somali sub-national authorities to ensure respect for human rights in preparation for the end of the transitional period on 20 August 2012.
In a resolution (A/HRC/20/L.21) on technical assistance to Côte d'Ivoire in the field of human rights, adopted without a vote as orally amended, the Council strongly condemns the attacks on the civilian population and personnel of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire, in particular the killing of seven United Nations peacekeepers on 8 June 2012. The Council decides to renew the mandate of the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Côte d’Ivoire for a period of one year.
Thematic issues
In a resolution (A/HRC/20/L.1) regarding trafficking in persons, especially women and children, adopted without a vote, the Council reiterates its concern at the high number of persons who are being trafficked within and between regions and States; and requests the Office of the High Commissioner to organize consultations on the draft basic principles on the right to effective remedy for trafficked persons.
In a resolution (A/HRC/20/L.5) on arbitrary detention, adopted without a vote as orally revised, the Council requests the Working Group on arbitrary detention to prepare draft basic principles and guidelines on remedies and procedures on the right to anyone deprived of his or her liberty, to submit a specific report to the Council on national, regional and international laws and practices; to hold a stakeholders consultation and to present the draft basic guidelines to the Human Rights Council before the end of 2015.
In a resolution (A/HRC/20/L.6) regarding the human rights of migrants, adopted without a vote, the Council calls upon States to respect the right of everyone to education and encourages them to take steps that promote the prevention and elimination of discriminatory policies that deny migrant children and children of migrants access to education.
In a resolution (A/HRC/20/L8) regarding the right to a nationality: women and children, adopted without a vote, the Council calls upon all States to adopt and implement nationality legislation with a view to prevent and reduce statelessness among women and children.
In a resolution (A/HRC/20/L9) regarding human rights and arbitrary deprivation of nationality, as orally revised, adopted without a vote, the Council urges all States to adopt and implement nationality legislation with a view to avoiding statelessness including measures aimed at ensuring that all children are registered immediately after birth and requests the Secretary-General to prepare a report on measures that may lead to the deprivation of nationality and to present the report to the Human Rights Council before its twenty-fifth session.
In a resolution (A/HRC/20/L.10) regarding acceleration of efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women and remedies for women who have been subjected to violence, adopted without a vote as orally revised, the Council strongly condemns all acts of violence against women and girls and requests the Office of the High Commissioner present to the Council recommendations on how to create and/or strengthen linkages and synergies between the mechanisms of the Council and also with other relevant intergovernmental processes on the issue.
In a resolution (A/HRC/20/L.12) regarding the right to education and in follow-up to Human Rights Council resolution 8/4, adopted without a vote, the Council calls upon all States to achieve the Education For All targets and urges States and other relevant stakeholders to pay enhanced attention to education in emergency situations by, inter alia, enhancing the protection of schools from attacks and strengthening safety and disaster risk reduction.
In a resolution (A/HRC/20/L.13) regarding the promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the Internet, adopted without a vote, the Council affirms that the same rights that people have offline must also be protected online, in particular freedom of expression; calls upon all States to promote and facilitate access to the Internet and decides to continue its consideration of how the Internet can be an important tool for development and for exercising human rights.
In a resolution (A/HRC/20/L.14) regarding the human rights of internally displaced persons, adopted without a vote, the Council calls upon States to provide durable solutions and assist affected countries in their national efforts relating to internally displaced persons; recommends that States ensure that internally displaced children have access to education; and recognizes the adverse effects of climate change as contributors to environmental degradation which may contribute to human displacement.
Further Information
pdf: http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12329&L...