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UN Human Rights Council

June 2023

Joint call for the UN Human Rights Council to respond to the global pattern of deaths, torture and other grave human rights violations at international borders

As part of our work to end lethal disregard for people on the move, the Human Rights and Refugees Programme has collaborated to draft a joint letter calling on the Human Rights Council to undertake a global investigation into deaths, enforced disappearances, torture and other grave human rights violations faced by people in transit across international borders. Joined by 228 organizations (by 25 June), the letter highlights the global pattern of deaths and grave human rights violations in transit. The letter notes the interconnection of racism and human rights violations in transit. We believe that this additional mechanism is needed to complement the work of the Special Rapporteur on human rights of migrants, to sustain attention on this pressing issue, hear from migrants and their family members and engage political will to end the dehumanization of migrants.

Organizations and groups can add their support for the letter here: https://forms.gle/8JkUwy2i9u7GRiXG7 

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October 2020

Briefing Paper: Not Forgotten: Human Rights of Migrants at the 45th Session of the Human Rights Council

The Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) believes in the inherent worth of every individual and is committed to working for migration justice. This includes the promotion and protection of the human rights of migrants, regardless of migration status. Migration has been an integral component of our societies throughout history; however, migrants continue to face hostility, criminalization and violence which underlines what the High Commissioner of Human Rights has described as a lethal disregard for migrant’s lives. This is further exacerbated by the Covid-19 global pandemic which is disproportionately impacting on those in situations of marginalization and vulnerability.

The Human Rights Council has an important role to play in the promotion and protection of the human rights of migrants and should contribute both to preventing violations and responding to human rights violations. This report provides a thorough collection of relevant elements from thematic reports, panels, debates, dialogues and resolutions and identifies potential entry points through activities mandated in resolutions adopted at this session.

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September 2015

QUNO delivers oral statement on children of parents sentenced to death or executed at the HRC

QUNO delivered an oral statement on the rights of children of parents sentenced to death or executed during the 30th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The issue was raised by QUNO in response to an update to the UN Secretary General's report on Capital punishment and implementation of the safeguards guaranteeing the protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty.

Daniel Cullen, Programme Assistant for Human Rights and Refugees, delivered the statement during the General Debate discussion on Friday 18 September.

Text and video (beginning at 01:41:30) is available below: 

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March 2015

Oral Statement on the role of Small Scale Farmers and the Right to Food at the 28th session of the HRC

QUNO delivered an oral statement in the 28th session of the Human Rights Council at the Clustered Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food and the Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing. Susan BragdonRepresentive for our Food & Sustainability programme delivered the statement in response to the report of the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Hilal Elver.

Text and video (beginning at 00:32:57) of the statement is available below.

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March 2015

Oral Statement in response to the Report of the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights and the environment to the 28th session of the HRC

QUNO delievered an oral statement in response to the Report of the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. The oral statement is a joint statement from the QUNO programmes on Natural Resource Conflict and Cooperation, and Climate Change. The statement was delivered by Programme Assistant David Elliott at the 28th Session of the Human Rights Council on the Promotion and Protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development.

Text and video (beginning at 02:37:04) of the statement are available below.

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March 2014

Oral Statement: Violence experienced by Children of Parents Sentenced to Death or Executed

Delivered to the 25th session of the UN Human Rights Council - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against Children.

This statement highlights the psychological and mental violence experienced by children when their parents are sentenced to death or executed. These children have been invisible in statistics, policies and programmes. The statement provides examples of the welcome increasing attention in the UN to the situation and rights of these children. FWCC (Quakers) recommends that much more is done to understand how and why these children are exposed to violence and to undertake actions that can lead to their effective protection.

To view a video recording of the oral statement by QUNO's Rachel Brett, click here.

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September 2012

Statement on the Human Right to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation

This statement welcomes the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation, and discusses Quaker perspectives on the issue.

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August 2009

A Curate's Egg UN Human Rights Council: Year 3, 19 June 2008 to 18 June 2009

This is the third such publication developed by Rachel Brett on the workings of the UN Human Right’s Council. This report covers the period from 19 June 2008 to 18 June 2009, “the first ‘normal’ operational year of the Human Rights Council.” It explains the workings of the Council’s mechanisms and outlines its achievements and particular problems. It also looks in general at the substantive work of the Council, giving an overview of issues of particular importance for QUNO.

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September 2008

Oral statement to the 9th session of the UN Human Rights Council on Conscientious Objection to Military Service

UN Human Rights Council Ninth session Agenda item 3: Oral statement by Friends World Committee for Consultation delivered by Rachel Brett, Quaker UN Office, Geneva, on Tuesday 16 September 2008   on Conscientious Objection to Military Service.  

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August 2008

Digging Foundations or Trenches? UN Human rights Council: Year 2,

This is the second publication developed by Rachel Brett on the establishment and workings of the UN Human Right’s Council. This report covers the Council’s second year (June 2007 – June 2008), in which it was to complete the ‘institution-building’ phase, and transition into a more substantive mode of work.

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August 2007

Neither Mountain nor Molehill -UN Human Rights Council:
 One Year On

This publication was developed by Rachel Brett and covers the first year of existence of what was then the newest international human rights mechanism, the UN Human Right’s Council. It covers the period from 19 June 2006 to 18 June 2007. The report gives an overview of the Council’s first year of operation, and the differences between it and its predecessor – the UN Commission on Human Rights.

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April 2006

Human Rights in Transition

The UN has created a brand new human rights body.  On 15 March 2006, the General Assembly adopted resolu- tion A/Res/60/251 by an overwhelming majority to establish a Human Rights Council. Elections for the new 47- member intergovernmental body will be held on 9 May, with the first session set to take place in Geneva from 19 –30 June 2006. This briefing paper looks at a human rights system in transition.

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April 2005

References to Conscientious Objection in the documents submitted to, and resolutions of, the 61st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights

References to Conscientious Objection in the documents submitted to, and resolutions of, the 61st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, March to April 2005.

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April 2005

References to Standing Invitations in the documents submitted to, and resolutions of, the 61st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights

References to Standing Invitations in the documents submitted to, and resolutions of, the 61st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, March-April 2005.

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April 2005

References to Women in Prison and Children of Imprisoned Mothers in the documents submitted to, and resolutions of, the 61st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights

References to Women in Prison and Children of Imprisoned Mothers in the documents submitted to, and resolutions of, the 61st session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, March-April 2005.

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