Blog post
I was privileged to attend approximately 20 side events, organised by non-governmental organizations, on a range of human rights issues around the world. These events, which brought together a diverse group of experts, provided a valuable opportunity to engage in discourse and gain deeper insights into specific issues. In addition, I had the opportunity to attend a number of significant events, including plenary meetings, Universal Periodic Review adoption sessions, the presentation of reports, interactive dialogues, and informal meetings.
As a student with an interest in human rights and international relations, the opportunity to attend this council as part of my internship was invaluable. I gained a more profound comprehension of the United Nations and the global issues it addresses, as well as an insight into the challenges of shaping a multipolar world.
The Human Rights Council provided me an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the roles played by a diverse range of civil society actors, including non-governmental organisations within the UN system.
The discussions held at the side events proved a source of enlightenment, facilitating a greater comprehension of lesser-known conflicts, such as the human rights violations perpetrated in Myanmar. There is an ongoing campaign against the Rohingya Muslim minority described by the United States as “genocidal," and which the UN subsequently characterised as a textbook example of "ethnic cleansing.” The Rohingya are not recognised as legitimate residents by the Myanmar government, resulting in the revocation of the nationality of over a million individuals. The lack of accountability and impunity in Myanmar has resulted in a series of egregious crimes that have been perpetrated on a systematic basis.
The contribution of an eminent figure such as Tom Andrews, the United Nations special rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar, was of considerable value and interest in the ongoing discussion. Diverse panellists advocated for change and urged the international community to act through the implementation of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation, as well as to put an end to the culture of impunity that has prevailed in recent decades.
Moreover, the necessity for humanitarian assistance was underscored, which should include the provision of resources to displaced individuals to guarantee their safety and dignity. This longstanding conflict requires an immediate resolution through the implementation of peace-building and peacekeeping processes.
In addition, the 56th session of the Human Rights Council provided an opportunity to engage with people directly affected by human rights violations on a daily basis. I also attended an informal meeting between the WCC and Franciscans International on the human rights situation of internally displaced persons in West Papua, Indonesia. The meeting had the valuable presence of an Indigenous West Papuan woman who is displaced and suffered human rights violations from the Indonesian military presence in the region. Internally displaced people face traumatic experiences, harassment, and significant humanitarian problems, including an alarming increase in mortality rates, which primarily affect children and women. Hearing her personal experiences as she shared proved to be an invaluable learning opportunity, allowing me to gain insights from someone who had experienced such human rights violations firsthand.
At the side events, I was able to gain further insights from the experts in attendance regarding the significant challenges currently facing the United Nations.These include the profound geopolitical divisions and the increasing polarisation between Member States, which have the potential to impede the UN's ability to achieve its goals related to human rights. The UN's mechanisms and its lack of democratic processes have been the subject of criticism. It appears imperative to reform the system and to incorporate civil society more extensively into the peace-building process and the discourse surrounding it. A stronger, adequately funded, decolonialized multilateral system led by the United Nations is needed more than ever today, if we are to restore international law and the promise for a future in this world.
Journalist Nicoletta Dentico has been an ardent proponent of reclaiming the UN for the people. During a side event on “The civil society engagement in the UN," she observed: “The continued obstruction by certain countries in order to halt the diplomatic process is a source of considerable confusion. The United Nations is the institution that oversees the implementation of international law. However, the Security Council has been preventing international laws from being applied. There are growing indications that the reclaimed UN is becoming a vehicle for fascism and nationalism, with an increasingly organised repressive force within the UN itself.”
I also attended a side event at which a joint initiative process focusing on human rights through regional engagement was presented. The proposal seeks to establish a Human Rights Council in a regional area with the objective of incorporating a greater number of countries from the so-called "global south" into the process. This objective will be achieved by convening followup review sessions at the national and regional levels, thereby fostering closer engagement with national and local stakeholders to ensure the practical implementation of human rights obligations.
It was highlighted that consideration should be given to the geographical location of the sessions, with a view to ensuring that they are not limited to the global north. If the sessions were conducted in a different location, the activities of the committee would be reported on by local civil society and media organisations. Furthermore, the involvement of experts from the region would contribute to a more balanced approach. I agree that this initiative would yield considerable benefits and would encompass all member states within the UN mechanism.
My experience at the Human Rights Council confirms that the WCC is faithfully representing the diverse voices of its constituents in an international space where voices from the civil society are being restricted. As an insider I was afforded a profound experience that illuminated both the potential and the limitations of international human rights advocacy.
It was enlightening to observe the unwavering commitment of non-governmental organizations to advocating for human rights and holding states accountable, which provided a vital counterbalance to the political manoeuvring within the council. This experience at the Human Rights Council constituted an opportunity for personal and professional development, allowing for engagement with experts, the acquisition of experience, and the development of a comprehensive understanding of the UN body's system and international human rights procedures.
About the author :
Emma Lehoux has completed the second year of her Bachelor of International Relations and Science Politics degree. For a period of two months, she undertook an internship at the WCC. In this capacity, she was able to work with Human Rights and Disarmament, as well as the Just Community for Women and Men.
