The 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC58) commenced in Geneva on 24 February 2025, heralded by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who lamented the global suffocation of human rights by various forces including autocrats, conflicts, discrimination, climate change, and advancing technologies. Over the coming six weeks, a diverse array of human rights issues will be deliberated, impacting freedom of expression and related rights around the world. ARTICLE 19 aims to champion progressive international standards on these matters during the session, whilst addressing concerning human rights situations in numerous countries, such as Belarus, Brazil, Iran, Thailand, and Myanmar.
Norway will spearhead a new resolution focusing on human rights defenders, which will address the impacts of emerging technologies. This resolution marks the first update in three years, building on previous discussions that highlighted the role of women human rights defenders in conflict zones. ARTICLE 19 intends to lobby for stronger international standards, calling on states to refrain from employing technologies that hinder human rights and advocating against the misuse of spyware by governments and private companies.
A significant part of the agenda involves addressing freedom of religion or belief, wherein the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation will propose an annual resolution against religious intolerance. Since 2011, this resolution has worked to curtail hate driven by religion through open dialogues. Despite a stall last year regarding attempts to alter the resolution’s language, ARTICLE 19 urges both the Organisation and the European Union to renew their commitments to the original consensus.
In addition to thematic advocacy, the session will spotlight various national human rights situations to demand accountability from governments failing to uphold their commitments. Statements will be made regarding Brazil, highlighting the dangers faced by human rights defenders, while similar dialogues about Thailand will push for comprehensive constitutional reforms aligned with international standards. Analogously, concerns regarding human rights abuses in Belarus, Iran, and Myanmar will also be raised to draw attention to the escalating crises in these regions.
The 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council opened on 24 February 2025, focusing on global human rights degradation. Secretary-General Guterres emphasised the multiple threats to rights, including technology and discrimination. ARTICLE 19 will advocate for new resolutions on human rights defenders and freedom of religion, while monitoring situations in Brazil, Thailand, Belarus, Iran, and Myanmar. Norway will lead a resolution aimed at protecting human rights in the digital age.
In summary, the UN Human Rights Council’s 58th Session focuses on combating global human rights violations, particularly the right to freedom of expression and the plight of human rights defenders. The session highlights the need for international resolutions on emerging technologies, religious intolerance, and accountability for human rights abuses in specific countries. Efforts by ARTICLE 19 aim to ensure that progress is achieved during the session, pressing states to facilitate an environment where human rights can flourish despite the challenges posed by technological and political constraints.
Original Source: www.article19.org
