UNHRC to have a busy upcoming session, to scrutinize human rights violator nations

Last updated on September 20th, 2023 at 11:57 am

 The upcoming four week session of United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva is deemed to be busy and eventful as 40 nations come under scrutiny for violating human rights. The analysis will be carried out by 47 member nations of the UN Human Rights Council.

In the extremely busy session, approximately 90 reports on violating nations would be presented. These reports are based on varied issues, ranging from torture, kidnappings, slavery, right to development, rights and rights of African descent people. Abuses, including those reported as ‘crimes against humanity’ will also be targeted for scrutiny carried out in countries including Belarus, Myanmar, Syria, Eritrea, Nicaragua, Burundi and Venezuela.

Furthermore, on Monday, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michele Bachelet will present a verbal update on the ongoing situation in Afghanistan. This is an extension of council’s special session on Afghanistan that was conducted on August 24. Ongoing humanitarian crisis and predicted worsening of situation in Afghanistan with Taliban take over has brought world on its toes. The European Union, Mexico and UK have criticized the council’s resolution that led to failure of forming a robust independent body to monitor Taliban violations of human rights.

Council President Fiji Ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan has noted that talks on Afghanistan hasn’t ended with the August 24 special session. She said, “And, really, it is a matter for states to decide whether they want to take the outcome of the special session further and achieve another result.” She added, “But I do want to note that the Security Council on the 30th of August adopted a resolution on safe passage.  It addressed human rights concerns, particularly as it relates to women and children.”  

Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch has expressed his disbelief at council’s reluctance to address abuses in powerful countries like China and Russia. “China has always escaped formal scrutiny by the council.  There has never been a resolution on China.  It is time to end that, given the severity and the atrocities, the crimes against humanity being committed in Xinjiang,”  he said.