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The Commission on Human Rights is probably the ECOSOC functional commission where NGOs have, over the years, gained the biggest influence. It meets every spring in Geneva for six weeks and thousands of NGOs representatives come to the Commission to raize the voices of the victims of human rights violations. CONGO is very active throughout the Commission, with briefings, panels, statements and the reporting on NGOs side-events through on the website www.ngochr.org. In 2006 the Commission, that has been discredited and lost credibility over the years, is going to hold its last session, since the 60th session of the General Assembly has decided to replace it by a smaller Human Rights Council to which would be elected only States which show good will in the promotion and protection of human rights. The Human Rights Council will first meet in June 2006.
CoNGO and Geneva for Human Rights - Global Training (GHR) organized a Geneva Course for human rights defenders from the regions attending the 4th session of the Working Group of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).[more]
The 9th session of the Human Rights Council will take place at the Palais des Nations, in Geneva, from 8 to 26 September 2008. Meetings of the HRC President and Bureau with NGOs are scheduled for every Tuesday from 2 to 3 pm in room 21 at the Palais des Nations. Reports of these meetings will be available here on the CONGO website.[more]
The first session of the new Advisory Committee of the Human Rights Council, which replaces the former Sub-Commission on the Promotion and the Protection of Human Rights, will mostly focus on establishing its working methods and will also address issues as requested by the Council. The Advisory Committee is mandated to provide expertise and advice to the Human Rights Council and to conduct substantive research and studies on thematic issues if interest to the Council.[more]
At the request addressed by the Permanent Representatives of Pakistan and of Bahrain and signed by 24 Member States, the third Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council will be held on Wednesday 15 November 2006, starting at 10:00 am at the UN Palais des Nations in Geneva, on the gross human rights violataions emanating from the Israeli Incursions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the recent one in Northern Gaza and the assault on Beit Hanoun".[more]
The NGO Committee on Human Rights asked to circulate this statement adressed to the High Commissioner on Human Rights regarding the human rights situation in Darfur. If you wish to add your organization's name to the list of co-sponsors., kindly respond to Peter Prove at pnp@lutheranworld.org, by 12.00 on Friday 19 May 2006.[more]
The International Centre for Law in Development & the Center for Justice and International Law present a panel discussion on: "The First Human Rights Council Election: Some Perspectives from the Developing World" Church Center for the United Nations, 777 U.N. Plaza, 12th floor[more]
An NGO Orientation Session (download Flyer in pdf) to the 3rd session of the Human Rights Council will be organised by OHCHR, CONGO and the ISHR on Friday, 01 December 2006 (Room XI, Palais des Nations), between 13:00-14:00. This Orientation Session will be immediately followed by an NGO Strategy Meeting (download Flyer in pdf) on the 3rd session of the Council, in the same room between 14:00 and 15:00.[more]
2nd cycle of Universal Periodic Review (5-19 May 2008, Geneva)Ambassador Doru Costea, President of the Human Rights Council, would like to meet with NGOs for an informal discussion on wrap up to the 1st UPR WG and in the perspective of the 2nd UPR Working Group starting next week. Date: Wednesday 30 April 2008 (tomorrow) - Time: 11.00-12.00 - Venue: Room XXIV, Palais des nations, Geneva[more]
2nd part of the 6th session - Human Rights Council - 10-14 December 2007The second part of the HRC 6th session will continue the process of review and ratiomalization of the system of Special Procedure and will provide a follow up to its previous decisions. A number of Special Procedures mandate holders will also present their report to the Council and decision will be taken on pending draft resolutions.[more]
At the request addressed by the Permanent representative of Tunisia supported by one third of the members of the Human Rights Council, a special session of the Human Rights Council was held on Friday 11 August from 10 am onwards in room XX (Palais des Nations).[more]