Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: In a joint statement, NGOs lamented the Council's failure to take action on human rights situations in Yemen, Sri Lanka and other countries, whilst also raising concerns about UPR adoptions.
In a joint statement on 30 September, the final day of the 18th regular session of the Human Rights Council, NGOs described the outcomes of the session as a 'mixed record', citing in particular the Council's lack of progress in taking action on country situations. Joint statement made by the following NGOs: Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, CIVICUS, Action Canada for Population and Development, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), International Service for Human Rights (ISHR). The Statement read: "This session has seen weak or non-existent responses to some urgent country situations". Yemen "On Yemen, the Council failed to establish the independent, international investigation that would have enabled it to follow-up effectively on the recommendations of the High Commissioner". Sudan, South-Sudan and Burundi "Equally weak are the outcomes on Sudan, South-Sudan and Burundi". Sri Lanka "The Council's failure yet again to take action on Sri Lanka and follow-up on its own special session on the country, and on the report of the Secretary-General's panel of experts transmitted to this Council at the beginning of the session, is one of this session’s most egregious omissions". Belarus "We further regret attempts to portray as quote-unquote ‘politicised’ the efforts of the Council to protect the human rights of all. A fruitful examination of the situation in Belarus, following on from the positive initiative at the 17th session to request a report from the High Commissioner on the situation in the country, was obstructed through a divisive debate". - Read more on the ISHR's commentary of the discussions on Belarus. Universal Periodic Review The NGO statement also highlighted concern over the UPR adoptions: "During UPR adoptions, many States failed to circulate written materials pertaining to the status of recommendations prior to the adoption of their UPR outcomes, despite the encouragement contained in the review outcome document. In the absence of such vital information about the State's position on recommendations, it is impossible for NGOs to provide constructive input". More positive outcomes Some notable advances were recorded in the statement, including: Further Information
pdf: http://www.crin.org/docs/statement-110930-hrc18-end_of_session.pdf
(Includes coverage of children's rights at the session)