The Human Rights Council concluded its 31st regular session on 24 March 2016 in Geneva, after adopting, amongst others, five resolutions under Human Rights Council agenda Item 7 related to the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories, and two resolutions on protecting human rights defenders and human rights in the context of peaceful protests.

Under its agenda item on the human rights situation in Palestine and Other Occupied Arab Territories, the Council adopted five resolutions: on human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan; on the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination; on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem; on ensuring accountability and justice for all violations of international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem; and on Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan.

The Council reaffirmed the inalienable, permanent and unqualified right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and reaffirmed its support for the solution of two States living side by side in peace and security. 

In a resolution adopted by a vote of 42 in favour, none against, with five abstentions, the Council demanded that Israel cease all practices and actions that violated the human rights of the Palestinian people or the character, status and demographic composition of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

In a resolution on ensuring accountability and justice for all violations of international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, adopted by a vote of 32 in favour, none against, with 15 abstentions, the Council requested the High Commissioner to review the implementation of recommendations addressed to all parties since 2009 and to present a report at its thirty-fifth session.

In a resolution adopted by a vote of 32 in favour, none against, with 15 abstentions, the Council demanded that Israel immediately cease and reverse all settlement activities and requested the High Commissioner to investigate the implications of settlements on the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the Palestinian people.

In another decision the human rights council appointed the Canadian Stanley Kirk , as special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, succeeding Makarim Wibisono , who submitted his resignation to the President of the Human Rights Council  in 31th  March 2016 to protest against prevented by Israel from reaching to the Palestinian territories for the duration of his tenure.

In another resolution, the Council called upon States to take all measures necessary to ensure the rights and safety of human rights defenders, including those working towards the realization of economic, social and cultural rights. In the resolution adopted by a vote of 33 in favour, six against, and eight abstentions, the Council called upon States to combat impunity for all attacks and threats by State and non-State actors against any individual, group or organ of society defending human rights, and encouraged business enterprises to avoid, identify, assess and address any adverse human rights impacts related to their activities through consultations with potentially affected groups.

The promotion and protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protests was at the core of a resolution which called upon States to promote a safe and enabling environment for individuals and groups to exercise their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly.  The resolution on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protests, adopted by a vote of 31 in favour, five against, with 10 abstentions, called upon all States to promote a safe and enabling environment for individuals and groups to exercise their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, of expression and of association, and encouraged them to engage with relevant stakeholders on the management of assemblies and to seek relevant technical assistance from United Nations agencies.  Before adopting this resolution, the Council rejected a series of amendments to the text.

The Council also passed a resolution urging States to adopt, implement and fully comply with legal and procedural safeguards against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

To fill four vacancies of Special Procedures mandate holders, the Council appointed Alexey Tsykarev (Russian Federation) and Erika Yamada (Brazil) as members of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; Surya Deva (India) as member of the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises; and Stanley Michael Lynk (Canada) as Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967.

GICJ participation at the session

Geneva International Centre for justice participated to the 31st regular session of the Human Rights Council and submitted jointly with a number of NGOs several reports (written statements) documenting the range of violations that take place in Iraq, in particular the crime of forced displacement and ethno-sectarian cleansing in the province of Diyala.

In another report, GICJ covered the latest deterioration of economic, social and cultural rights at all levels, while in another submission, it documented the acts of torture carried out by the US occupation forces, the Iraqi authorities and pro-government militias.

GICJ also submitted written statement on the human rights violations occurring in Palestine, and in particular in Jerusalem. It also reported the campaigns of mass arrests by the occupation authorities, and in another report covered the risks faced by Palestinian NGOs and activists of harassment and arbitrary measures taken by the occupying power to disrupt their activities.

GICJ also submitted a joint written statement about the phenomenon of racial discrimination against immigrants from Arab and African countries in a number of European countries.

GICJ oral statements

GICJ delivered several joint oral statements under items 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9 of the agenda of the Council, focusing on violations in Palestine, Iraq and Syria. The Centre also delivered a statement on the issue of racial discrimination as practiced by the Iranian regime against Arabs in Ahvaz County and delivered other statements on racial discrimination.

Oral statement under item 4 - Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

Delivered by Ms Lamia Fadla

This oral statement focused on the absence of discussion in the human rights council about the situation in Iraq, and in particular the ongoing ethnic cleansing operation happening in the province of Diyala. GICJ request that an international investigation mission be sent to Iraq to shed light on all the violations that are taking place there, and request the nomination of a special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iraq.

Oral statement under item 7 - Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories

Delivered by Ms Lamia Fadla

In this statement, GICJ stressed the lack of respect from Israel to the basic rights of the Palestinian, as an occupying power in Palestine, Israel has many obligations to respect. GICJ denounced the excessive use of force, the building of the wall, the many measures impeaching people to reach the mosque in Jerusalem. The absence of accountability and the total impunity in which the occupying power commit its crimes has led to a feeling of desperation in many young Palestinians who are strangled by the measures and policies of the occupying power and their  impact on their daily life. GICJ request that full support be provided to the mandate and mission of the special Rapporteur on Palestine and request the nomination of a new Rapporteur to replace the one who has left the office during this session. GICJ insist that Israel as the occupying power bear full responsibility for the increasing tensions and violence in Palestine and the occupied Arab territories, and call for the international community to address this situation and put an end to the international law violations committed by Israel and the lasting impunity that cover its crimes.

Oral statement under item 9 - Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, follow-up and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action

Delivered by Ms Lamia Fadla

In this statement, GICJ denounced the policies and practices of the Iranian regime in the Ahvaz County in Iran against its Arab population. GICJ denounced the fact that the Iranian authorities are trying to remove everything that has to do with the Arab culture and background of the inhabitant of Ahvaz. The discrimination, systematic and targeting them specifically, are numerous. Alongside with arbitrary arrest campaigns, these people face low basic service provision, are forbidden to speak or read in Arabic language, are forced to adopt Iranian names, and many other discriminatory provisions that undermine their basic human rights.

Oral statement under item 2 - Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General

Delivered by Mr Boris Blasberg

Thank you Mr Vice President,

2015 was an unfortunate year of escalated racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia, and in particular islamophobia and afrophobia. We had expected the OHCHR to do more and would like to know your plans for implementing the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in view of the fifteenth anniversary of its adoption in 2016.

In 2015 the OHCHR decided to eliminate three staff positions from the Anti-Racial-Discrimination-Section that where in the UN General Assembly approved programme budget for 2015 and transfer those resources to other priorities in the office. How would you explain this drastic action by your office in contravention of the General Assembly?

We call on your office to launch a global information campaign on the achievements and urgency of implementing the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and to positively assist the Human Rights Council to develop and adopt the multiyear outreach programme for the DDPA as has been requested by the General Assembly.

I thank you.

Oral statement under item 3 - Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development

Delivered by Mr Boris Blasberg

Firstly, we would like to thank the Special Representative for her work in preparing this report.

Our two organizations have been deeply shocked and saddened to hear about the ongoing sale of children in many parts of the world, particularly in areas of conflict such as Syria, Iraq and the Democratic Republic of Congo just to name a few. The usage of children the most innocent and fragile individuals of human society, as objects to be abused and harmed is shocking. This particular tragedy has only been made possible at this scale as a result of ongoing lawlessness and conflict leaving a vacuum in security for criminal elements to take advantage of children. The recent events showed the sale of children in the Levant to become brides and slaves, is truly shocking to anybody with a conscience.

Whilst most of us would view the constant and ongoing improvement in technology as a positive advancement in improving our lives, it is sadly also being exploited by criminals to facilitate their trade in children. Through the online advertising of child prostitutes to the sharing and distribution of child pornography, the internet has sadly made it easier to attain these illegal services, and thus has also had the adverse effect of increasing the demand.

We thus agree with the report for both an increase in the efforts of cyber security and the security organs of various states to act upon any leads to crimes of this nature, this being the best short term solution in combating this problem. We wish to stress that we fully support the reports call for self-identified paedophiles to come forth and seek help with professionals. As mentioned in the report this should go hand in hand with a media campaign, that both discourages people from engaging in paedophilia, as well as raise awareness to the fact that this is a serious issue.

This is another issue where we see children falling victim to criminals that take advantage of a demand. This demand leaves children with permanent psychological and physical scars that ruin their entire childhood, and haunt them into their adult life. The main cause for the existence of this exploitation is undoubtedly poverty.

The International Organization for the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination and, Geneva International Centre for Justice would like to highlight the fact that poverty is the source of many evils. Poverty often increases corruption amongst individuals tasked with upholding and enforcing the law, which in turn allows for criminals to act with impunity in luring children to their criminal schemes of child prostitution and pornography. We recommend the international community come together and develop a joint universal campaign of awareness against child sex tourism and paedophilia and increased monitoring of child pornography online. Once again we wish to thank the Special Representative for drafting this report.     

Oral statement under item 3 - Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development

Delivered by Mr Boris Blasberg

Thank you Mr President,

This is a Joint Statement by the International Organization for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and Geneva International Centre for Justice.

The last years have seen no hold up to the brutal violence and absolute disregard for human rights in the world. We are alarmed by these developments and the further lack of tangible actions to remedy any of the situations. Geopolitical interests of regional and global powers have sadly forced the issues and regards for human rights to be ignored and overshadowed.

Israel’s unhindered occupation of Palestine and its continuing violations of the rights of the Palestinians constitute grave crimes against humanity and absolute disregard for international law.

Recent senseless sectarian violence that has become a part of daily life in many parts of the Middle East from the area of the Mashriq to Yemen is alarming. Syria and Yemen have also borne the brunt of the subversive actions of certain states in the region, in fomenting sectarian divisions and its accompanying violence.

Iraq is a country that has enjoyed a history of general peace and prosperity. However, since the illegal US led invasion and its following occupation we have seen a deterioration of the social fabric of the country.

The year 2016 began with actions of deplorable ethnic cleansing and forced displacement of certain ethnic and religious populations, especially in Diyala province. These actions of the militias were made possible through the corporation of the militias and government forces with the support of foreign state actors.

Unfortunately, certain countries in the region are deeply involved in supporting militias and their actions well outside their own borders. We call on all parties to refrain from targeting civilians and creating societal divisions that only fan the flames of hatred, furthermore, calling on all combatant parties to ensure the safety and well-being of the civilian populations.

I thank you. 

Oral statement under item 9 - Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, follow-up and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action

Delivered by Mr Boris Blasberg

In this joint statement, GICJ focused on the ongoing denial of basic human rights faced by Palestinians inside their borders and also in Israel. More recently, African migrants predominantly from Sudan are also facing the illegal action of refoulement to a country where they risk imprisonment and torture. The only argument provided by the Israeli authorities in favour of this criminal practice is that it would undermine the identity of Israel as a Jewish state. GICJ called on all states to take action to ensure the security of all minority groups, and educate society on the danger of xenophobia and racism so as to ensure the security of all human being on earth regardless of race or religion.

Oral statement under item 9 - Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, follow-up and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action

Delivered by Mr Moadh Khatib

In this statement, Ms Khatib, a young Palestinian, came to address the council with a question, that is: Is Israel a racist state? He then provided many examples of Israeli practices and policies that are racist and discriminatory. He insisted that he is now 30 years old, but he has never heard about any trial in which an Israeli was brought to justice for crimes committed against Palestinian. He talked about the destruction by Israel of Palestinian houses, about the erection of many settlements by Israel, and the destruction of 323 Palestinian building since the beginning of 2016 only.

Annual Discussion on Technical Cooperation

Delivered by Mr Boris Blasberg

GICJ thanked the office of the High Commissioner for the support provided in the field of human rights and migrations. GICJ stressed that migrants are facing dangerous situation in their home country, yet it is important to be able to educate them about the danger of such endeavour. In the light of the current state of affairs, migration will not stop soon; more assistance must be provided in the country of destination.

GICJ written statements

• Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Iraq

• IRAQ: Increasing Human Rights Violations

• Torture: A real human rights challenge in Iraq

GICJ Side Events

Geneva International Centre for Justice in association with several NGOs organized three side events and an open seminar on issues related to human rights. The side events were held on the human rights situation in Iraq; reprisals against non-governmental organizations in Palestine; and Terrorism and the role of Iran. The open seminar addressed the current political situation in Yemen.

The Human Rights Situation in Iraq

In the first side event organized by GICJ on 10th March 2016 at United Nations in Geneva, presentations focused on the human rights situation in Iraq and the increasing violations that take place on a daily basis since the American invasion and occupation in 2003, in particular the crime of ethnic cleansing and forced displacement executed by Iranian backed pro-governmental militias, the widespread and systematic use of torture in prisons and the campaigns of arbitrary arrest and other crimes committed under the pretext of combating terrorism.

The side event was chaired by Mr Jan Lönn and 2 prominent speakers: Mr. Ali Shalal Al Qaysi, a survivor of inhuman torture practices within Abu Ghraib prison and Mr. Mostafa Kamel a noticeable journalist as well as the editor in chief of a Human Rights online platform.

Read more on this side event...

ISIS and other terrorist groups

GICJ in collaboration with the International Organization for the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination (EAFORD) and several other NGOs organized a side event during the 31st session of the Human Rights Council in the United Nations in Geneva on 16 March 2016 on the subject of ISIS and other terrorist groups. The panellists presented and described the most influential militias active in some Middle Eastern countries, and discussed the role played by regional powers in exporting terrorism through the provision of financial, military and intelligence support to them, and the responsibility of the international community regarding this phenomenon.

Read more on this side event...

GICJ Hosts Ms. Tawakul Karman

Geneva International Centre for Justice in collaboration with the International Organization for the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination organized an open seminar on 11 March 2016 hosting Ms. Tawakul Karman, who has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011 in recognition of her work in nonviolent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace building work in Yemen.

This event attracted a significant attendance from diplomatic missions, NGO representatives and human rights defenders, as well as international media representatives.

Ms. Karman presentation covered recent developments of the situation on the ground in Yemen and provided some outlook on the future.

Ms. Kerman’s speech focused on the peaceful nature of the Yemeni revolution, she explained that despite the fact that there are about 70 million weapons at the hands of the Yemeni people, the people did not choose to revolt using these weapons but instead they did so with flowers and through peaceful means.

The Yemeni people were expressing their discontent against the political and economical situation of the country, the poverty and the underdevelopment. The Yemeni people, made of all its constituents, and carrying roses, not weapons, echoed the slogan “Peaceful Revolution” and stressed the two key claims:

• The Yemeni people want to overthrow the regime
• The Yemeni people want to build a new Yemen, an effective state with efficient state institutions

She explained that all constituent of the Yemeni people gathered in the Freedom Square, and that under the same tent were demonstrating tribes who were used to be hostile to each others, now reunited by the same goal.

Ms. Karman also focused on the Iranian regime's role in fuelling the situation in Yemen; the Iranian regime sees Yemen as being the gate that would allow Iran to dominate the Arab Peninsula and the region. This strategic perception has led the Iranian regime to provide its full support to the Houthi militia, and to provide it with various types of weapons.

An interactive dialogue was held with the audience at the end of the seminar.