Dialog on Contemporary Forms of Slavery

During the 33^rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), Geneva, we heard from Ms. Urmila Bhoola, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery. She underscored what we hear often; that millions of women, men and children continued to be trapped in various forms of slavery which created an urgent imperative to review the impediments to the global...

High Commissioner Voices Concern Over Member States Refusal of Country Visits

The 33^rd session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) opened today with a sweeping address by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.  The address was full of purposeful intent to gain Member States attention and call to action. 

The High Commissioner expressed critical concern over an emerging pattern of the “growing refusal on the part...

What's Ahead for the 33rd Session of the Human Rights Council

The 33rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council runs from September 13- October 2, 2016 at the United Nations in Geneva.  This 33rd session is slated with an agenda of relevant and timely issues.  Take a look at the Inside Track to learn what's ahead in the coming few weeks.

HRC33 - The Inside Track.pdf

Please check back for...

Human Rights Council Addresses Rights of Indigenous Peoples

In July 2015, FAWCO UN Rep Stacy Lara attended the Eighth Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. In addition to members of the EMRIP, participants and observers at the conference included representatives of States, IP from around the world, United Nations bodies, programs, and specialized agencies, NGOs, human rights institutions...

The Human Rights Council's 10th Session in 2016

FAWCO UN NGO Rep in Geneva Stacy Lara submitted this report on an Organizational Meeting for the Human Rights Council's 10^th Session in 2016.

On December 7, 2015 I followed the Human Rights Council (HRC) 10^th session organizational meeting where its new Bureau for 2016 was elected. The Council elected Ambassador Choi Kyong-lim of the Republic of Korea as its...

High Commissioner for Human Rights Report to NGOs for 2014

The challenges faced by the UN Human Rights Council are immense as they strive to enable Member States to fulfill the human rights of every woman, man and child. They advocate for States to endorse and respect the “broadest possible legal standards” for human rights obligations as well as working to raise awareness and provide guidance whenever violations cry out...