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.

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.

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.

See also:

• Written statement to the Human Rights Council 25th session: "Children of parents sentenced to death or executed: UN developments since the HRC Panel.”
• Children of Parents Sentenced to Death or Executed: How are they affected? How can they be supported
• Lightening the Load of the Parental Death Sentence on Children
• Briefing Paper: Children of Parents Sentenced to Death
• Report: Children of Parents Sentenced to Death

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.

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.

A submission by QUNO to the 6th session of the Human Rights Council.

This report covers the very first session of the UN Human Rights Council (19-30 June, 2006).

This document discusses how to enhance and strengthen the effectiveness of the special procedures of the UN Commission on Human Rights (predecessor to the UN Human Rights Council).

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.