In Geneva, around fifty participants from human rights NGOs and UN missions convened to discuss pivotal priorities for the Human Rights Council in 2025. Phil Lynch, Executive Director of ISHR, emphasized this period as one ripe with both challenges and opportunities for human rights advocates seeking accountability. Lynch praised President Lauber’s qualifications, citing his commitment to human rights and extensive multilateral experience as vital for confronting these issues effectively.
Salma El Hosseiny, ISHR’s Senior Programme Manager, highlighted the Council’s integral role for rights holders and defenders, who rely on it to press for national change and expose violations. She noted that human rights must be treated as essential, urging States to uphold international law uniformly to preserve the Council’s integrity and effectiveness. El Hosseiny called for universal application of these laws and adherence to standards requiring prompt responses to defenders’ demands.
Recent trends show diminishing civil society engagement due to an ‘efficiency’ initiative. El Hosseiny pointed out this exercise is intertwined with a liquidity crisis; hence, sufficient funding for the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms is crucial. She urged President Lauber to prioritise effective engagement over mere efficiency, advocating for inclusive consultations with civil society throughout the year.
President Lauber affirmed the critical need for meaningful civil society participation in the Council, asserting that their access and safety are paramount. He pledged to prevent reprisals against individuals cooperating with the Council. El Hosseiny stressed that ongoing acts of intimidation must be addressed, urging States to raise individual cases at every session and insist on accountability.
The upcoming 58th session brings attention to a resolution concerning human rights defenders and emerging technologies, aiming to adapt protective frameworks for defenders facing modern challenges. El Hosseiny urged states to support this resolution that targets cybercrimes, online harassment, and censorship threats.
ISHR advocates for robust candidate slates during HRC elections and recommended that States announce their candidacies timely. The integrity of human rights should govern the voting process, with States refusing to elect candidates implicated in serious violations. The Human Rights Council must also champion racial justice by honouring the Durban Declaration and cooperating with anti-racism mandates.
Finally, urgent attention is required for various country situations, including significant human rights concerns in Afghanistan, Burundi, Syria, and beyond. These nations must be assessed against objective criteria that reflect the Council’s commitments to human rights, ensuring that no situation merits neglect in governance or intervention. To that end, ISHR has outlined a comprehensive agenda for the Human Rights Council for 2025 and offered insights regarding the forthcoming 58th session.
A recent event in Geneva highlighted the priorities for the Human Rights Council in 2025, with emphasis on civil society engagement, the need for consistent application of international law, and the necessity for accountability. Key figures like Phil Lynch and Salma El Hosseiny underlined that the Council must evolve to remain effective amidst emerging challenges such as technology and racial justice. The upcoming session will focus on crucial resolutions addressing these areas, ensuring inclusion of human rights defenders.
The gathering in Geneva reinforced the urgent need for the Human Rights Council to embrace its role as a beacon of hope for rights defenders. With an emphasis on civil participation, consistent application of international law, and accountability, the Council stands at the precipice of a transformative period. The upcoming resolution on technology, focus on racial equality, and engagement with pressing country situations underline a vital roadmap for 2025 and beyond that could redefine global human rights advocacy.
Original Source: ishr.ch
