02.08.2018

Contents:

• Agenda 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
• Annual Full-Day Discussion on the Human Rights of Women
• Agenda Item:3 - Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development
• Agenda Item:4 - Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention
• Agenda Item:5 - Human rights bodies and mechanisms
• Agenda Item:6 - Universal Periodic Review
• Agenda Item:7 - Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories
• Agenda Item:8 - Follow-up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action
• Agenda Item:9 - Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, follow-up to and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
• Agenda Item:10 - Technical assistance and capacity-building

Agenda 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

General Debate on the Oral Update by the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights worldwide and on the activities of his office.

19 June 2018

Delivered by: Mr. Konstantinos Kakavoulis

During the General Debate under Agenda Item 2 GICJ addressed the plight of refugees and asylum seekers in South-Eastern Europe.

Mr. President,

We welcome the report of the High Commissioner and his oral update on the human rights situations worldwide.

We remain deeply concerned regarding several violations in Europe.

The emerging number of refugees and asylum seekers has not been adequately treated. Asylum seekers find themselves trapped in South-Eastern Europe, constantly facing the threat of being deported back to their country of origin or Turkey, which cannot always be considered as a safe third country.

While expecting the outcome of their asylum applications, they are subject to very poor reception conditions, while their integration in local societies is far from having been achieved.

EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice stress that the great flux of asylum seekers, as well as the economic and political crises of the past decade, have increased racism and xenophobia. Despite several instruments in place, such as the CERD and DDPA, discrimination persists within home and destination countries.

We should always bear in mind that “no one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark.” The Human Rights Council and the international community should work towards ensuring that long-suffering people find -at least- a hospitable ambient, when they reach Europe.

Life is a miracle which has been gifted to all of us. We should always remember that everyone has the right to live, not just to survive.

Thank you.

Annual Full-Day Discussion on the Human Rights of Women

Panel 2: Advancing women’s rights in the economic sphere through access and participation in information and communication technologies (ICTs)

22 June 2018

Delivered by: Ms. Sheefa Afath Shaik

Women and girls in armed conflict situations and in the least developed countries not only lack equal opportunities towards access to ICTs but also lack access to basic education.

Thank you, Mr. President,

We thank the council for holding an annual panel discussion on women’s rights and we thank the panellists for their insightful discussions.

Mr. President,

While women still struggle to fight against discrimination from domestic places to working places even after a long struggle for gender equality, we are in an era where women and girls must fight for equality, non-violence, and against discrimination in digital spaces. With the increasing role of ICTs, there is a need to increase the role of women in this field and women should be able to equally enjoy the advantages of the ICTs as men without any digital gender divide.

EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice, acknowledge the lack of access of ICTs for women but we are equally concerned about women and girls who do not even have access to basic education, let alone the access to ICTs.

We also raise the concern about those women and girls who are the victims of armed conflicts such as in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and occupied Palestine and who suffer from extreme poverty. Today, having access to education is far from reality for these women and girls, how would they enjoy the right to access to ICTs?

In many developing and least-developed countries, majority of people do not enjoy access to internet, how would this become a reality to those millions who do not have a clue about the role of internet and the knowledge about ICTs.

While access to ICTs has its advantages from economic to social perspective, we strongly agree that it should be provided and accessible to everyone, without being biased on their gender, and we draw the council’s attention toward those women and girls who need to have basic education to access to the ICTs.

Thank you.

Agenda Item:3 - Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development

Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health by enhancing capacity-building in public health (A/HRC/38/36, A/HRC/38/36/Add.1, A/HRC/38/36/Add.2)

18 June 2018

Delivered by: Mr. Siddharth Abraham Srikanth

GICJ addressed the challenges refugees face in Lebanon with regards to the Lebanese health system including its 2015 policy and freedom of movement in the context of the 2011 civil war.

Thank you Mr. President,

IUS PRIMI VIRI and Geneva International Centre for Justice would first like to thank the Special Rapporteur for his report, and to draw the Council’s attention to the acute public health challenges faced by refugees.

For instance, the large influx of Syrian refugees into Lebanon since the civil war broke out in 2011 has placed a considerable burden on the Lebanese health system, leading to its fragmentation as a result of extremely sporadic funding coupled with effective alternatives provided by aid organisations.

More specifically, Lebanon adopted a new policy in 2015 with the aim to reduce the refugee population, whereby they now have to pay an annual fee of 200 USD to maintain legal status. Unsurprisingly, this did not decrease the number of refugees in Lebanon, but rather merely stripped more than 60% of the refugees of their legal status, thus constituting a de facto deprivation of liberty.

In a somewhat domino effect, this illegal status means that the refugees are no longer allowed access to the labour market, thus depriving them of the opportunity of earning a living.

Furthermore, Mr. President, these refugees tend to limit their movements for fear of being arrested, which restricts their ability to access basic health services, and in turn amounts to a violation of their right to health as enumerated in the Special Rapporteur’s report. Even when they are able to find these services, their financial situation owing to the aforementioned lack of work inhibits them from being able to afford any kind of medical treatment.

To this end, we would like to call upon the Lebanese government to abolish the annual fee for the renewal of refugee status and request the Special Rapporteur on health to further address health concerns faced by refugees, as well as to explore the option of public-private partnerships to address the care continuum.

Thank you for your time. 

General Debate under Item: 3

25 June 2018

Delivered by: Ms. Sheefa Afath Shaik

The humanitarian situation and human rights violations in Yemen was addressed under general debate Item 3.

Thank you, Mr. President,

The Yemeni population has been living in an ongoing civil war for more than four years now and is suffering from a grave humanitarian crisis, in which children are a category of the population that is most vulnerable. Besides being directly or indirectly affected by violations of international humanitarian law, minors are also facing several violations of their most basic human rights.

A high number of children are not going to school and do not have access to clean water or adequate sanitation. Furthermore, the food security crisis is highly alarming, with wide spread of malnutrition. As a result, minors are weaker and more vulnerable when affected by different diseases present in the country, such as cholera.

We are particularly concerned by the humanitarian situation in which the population is living in, and we want to stress the importance and urgency to establish a ceasefire agreement until a political solution will not be reached. This is essential in order to protect and save the life of many innocent children.

EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice calls on all parties to the conflict to respect their human rights and international humanitarian law obligations. Furthermore, all forms of violence and human rights violations against civilians should be halted. In order to alleviate the great civilian’s suffering, it is of vital importance that all parties to the conflict ensure secure access and safe working conditions to humanitarian professionals, as should be guaranteed according to international humanitarian law.

Thank you.

General Debate under Item: 3

25 June 2018

Delivered by: Ms. Jennifer D. Tapia

GICJ addressed the promotion and protection of human rights of migrants under general debate Item 3.

Thank you, Mr. President,

We welcome the report of the High Commissioner for human rights and we highlight the attention he gives to the plight of migrants. Migrants often find themselves outside their own country for the purpose of seeking protection from the gravest forms of persecution and other types of harm that have caused them to flee.

People fleeing from harm that is perpetrated by State and non-State actors, or even as a result of natural disasters deserve to be protected. The failure of a destination State to provide this protection constitutes a serious violation of international law. If States cannot protect the human rights fulfilment of those who are fleeing, they are then not able to answer the call that international human rights make upon them, thereby sliding below the minimum level of treating each other humanely.

Many Member States of this Council were built from the work and suffering of migrants, even sometimes from those who were forcefully brought to their country.

International Lawyers.org and Geneva International Centre for Justice hold that this Council must take actions condemning those that refused to provide protection to migrants who are fleeing from persecution and other forms of harm, and that it must have the courage to make an unequivocal statement in support of the human rights of migrants.

Thank you.

Agenda Item:4 - Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

Interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi (A/HRC/38/10)

26 June, 2018

Delivered by: Mr. Mutua K. Kobia

The seriousness of on-going human rights violations in Burundi as well as efforts to end violent conflicts in the country and in cooperation with the internaitonal community was raised.

Thank you, Mr. President,

We would like to thank the Commission of Inquiry for their latest oral update and are looking forward to reading their full report when finalised. It is regrettable, however, that Burundi has continuously refused to fully cooperate with the COI on Burundi and has not implemented recommendations relevant to the promotion and protection of human rights.

EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice remains deeply concerned with the overall humanitarian situation in Burundi and especially with the deadly massacre that took place earlier this year in May where women and children were among the victims. This incident is but a small reflection of the overall seriousness of the human rights situation in Burundi where fundamental freedoms are denied for much of the population and hundreds of thousands have been displaced. Furthermore, grave human rights violations including torture, extrajudicial killings and forced detentions persist without accountability of the perpetrators. Moreover, human rights defenders and journalists are no longer able to perform their duties due to deadly consequences as freedom of expression and association is restricted.

Mr. President,

We continue to call on the international community, and particularly the African Union and the East African Community to build solidarity and encourage Burundi to fully cooperate with the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi and to implement recommendations that will protect the human rights of the people of Burundi.

To this end, we ask the Commission of Inquiry for an update on the status of Burundi with the International Criminal Court, as well as what direct or indirect measures are being taken to address root causes and what steps if any are in place to include the full and effective participation of women and grass roots organisations towards solidarity and durable solutions in Burundi?

Thank you,  

Interactive dialogue with: Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (oral update)

27 June, 2018

Delivered by: Ms. Jennifer D. Tapia

The added impact of climate change in addition to the ethnic cleansing is seriously affecting the most vulnerable communities in Myanmar.

Thank you, Mr. President,

We would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for her update and her work on Myanmar, in spite of the impediments she is constantly facing to conduct investigations in the country.

With that said, we would like to stress on the repercussions of climate change on the fulfilment of human rights in Myanmar, on the basis that climate change is one of the most serious threats to human rights, especially for the most vulnerable communities. Myanmar is one of the three most vulnerable countries in the world to the effects of climate change. This country’s economy and society is still largely dependent on agriculture, which is mostly rain-fed. Food and water security are under threat, while increasing temperatures and irregular rain patterns are prone to create favourable conditions for the spread of infectious diseases.

While debates are ongoing regarding the cease of eviction of Rohingya from the Myanmar territory and the potential return of the ones that are in exile, an important question arises: Will Rohingyas want to return to a country where not only grave crimes against them were committed, but also where constant threats to their security caused by climate change are taking place?

International Lawyers.org and Geneva International Centre for Justice urge this Council to ensure that the State of Myanmar not only cooperate with its neighbouring countries to take a new approach to their shared resources, but also adopt protection measures in climate change matters in order to guarantee the fulfilment of the most fundamental human rights for its population, while being inclusive with all ethnicities, and all areas of the country in this protection.

Thank you.

General Debate under Item 4

27 June, 2018

Delivered by: Ms. Jennifer D. Tapia

The failed institutional system in Iraq has adversely affected its election process.

Thank you, Mr. President,

We would like draw attention to the deterioration of Iraq’s Institutional System since the illegal invasion and occupation of 2003, and how its consequences are still surfacing and being exposed in present times. Regarding the recent national and parliamentary elections in Iraq, we note that they brought along reports of fraud, societal confusion about the electoral results, and acts of intimidation for voters.

We remark that the election process in Iraq has been hindered not only by technical shortfalls and political interference, but also by inconsistent results of the electronic machines, the necessity to go through a manual recount of votes, and the annulation of the ballots casted by displaced Iraqis and citizens living abroad.

In this regard, we urge this Council to ensure that the State of Iraq guarantees a fair and transparent outcome for the electoral process while respecting the will of its citizens and the correct fulfilment of their civil and political rights. We also urge this Council to ensure that those found responsible for rigging election results in Iraq are duly processed.  

Additionally, International Lawyers.org and Geneva International Centre for Justice align to the Secretary General’s recent remarks that the reconstruction of areas destroyed in Iraq during the liberation campaign must be a priority for offering a secure and dignified home for IDPs to return.

Thank you.  

General Debate under Item 4

27 June, 2018

Delivered by: Ms. Sheefa Shaik

The fight against terrorism (especially in Iraq) was addressed under agenda Item 4 including accountability and the responsibilities and obligations by the international community under international laws and instruments.

Mr. President,

Unjustifiable acts around the globe, many of which infringe upon human rights, are carried out under the pretext of combating terrorism. In today's world, the fight against terrorism is of the utmost importance. However, we should never allow a fight to condone infringements on human rights, this would mean we are fighting against humanity.

In Iraq specifically, systematic, and grave human rights violations are committed against the civilians. The authorities justify these actions by accusing the citizens of being terrorists or related to terror activities, whereas the reality is entirely unalike. Examples of these violations include mass campaigns of arbitrary arrests, disproportional violence against peaceful protesters, lack of fair trials, and the retrieval of confessions under torture.

The fight against terrorism has egregiously overlooked international human rights law. New policies aimed at reducing terrorism are worded vaguely, and ultimately work against the people who they are designed to protect. Nations should be able to follow an anti-terrorism agenda to protect their populations, but their counter-terrorist measures need to comply with fundamental international principles.

Distinguished delegates,

We come here together to stress the importance of human rights, each one of your countries is party to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Isn’t it time to hold true to your word?

Isn’t it time we begin to recognize the fundamental human rights of those living in conflict affected areas? The fight against terrorism is tremendously important, but it will be impossible to succeed if the governments themselves disregard international human rights standards.

Thank you.

Agenda Item:5 - Human rights bodies and mechanisms

General Debate under Item 5

28 June, 2018

Delivered by: Ms. Jennifer D. Tapia

The urgency to respond to the adverse impacts of climate change was addressed under agenda Item 5.

Thank you, Mr. President,

We would like to express our serious concern regarding the protection of the right to health, as well as the impact of climate change on the realisation and fulfilment of human rights around the globe.

In this sense, we call on this Council’s attention once again, as well as on the special rapporteur on the right to health, to urge the World Health Organization to promote the right to health and to put into practice the commitment it has made in its recently adopted 13th General Programme of Work, of insuring respect for the right to health by all states by adopting unequivocal resolutions at the World Health Assembly.

Additionally, International Lawyer.org and Geneva International Centre for Justice note that although climate change is perhaps the most serious threat to the human rights of the greatest number of people on this planet, we regret that insufficient action has been agreed by the international community to protect the most vulnerable populations from the most serious adverse effects of climate change. Thus, we urge this Council to appoint a special rapporteur on human rights and climate change who can encourage stronger international action to protect the human rights and the welfare of the billions of people who are being and will be under the threat and adversely affected by the concerning issue of climate change.

Thank you. 

Report of the Working Group on Business and Human Rights (A/HRC/38/48)

28 June, 2018

Delivered by: Mr. Mutua K. Kobia

Corporate power and various legal and non-legal barriers and loopholes that contribute to corporate impunity must end.

Thank you, Mr. President,

EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice welcomes the report of the Working Group on the issue of human rights transnational corporations and other business enterprises, and especially welcome the urgent discussion held on an international legally binding agreement and for civil liability in home countries of transnational companies. To date, there has been a serious lack of regulation and accountability with regards to grave violations by transnational corporations and worse still numerous documented incidents where TNCs have exercised their powers to attack, threaten, and eliminate actors, including human rights defenders, who promote and protect the human rights of victims and who are also now seeing their access to justice disappear.

Furthermore, TNCs who commit atrocities on the environment, civilians, and human rights defenders with impunity have put in place schemes to win time against and that is costly to victims and defenders at the judiciary level.

Mr. President,

Considering these circumstances access to judicial remedies under the Guiding Principles is no longer a long-standing solution due to various legal and non-legal barriers, numerous legal loopholes, and corporate power. In addition, there needs to be a reversal of burden of proof where it should be the legal obligation of businesses, companies, and TNCs to demonstrate and prove their innocence. International human rights law must by all means remain above economic and business law.

To this end, we call for the protection of human rights and the need for an international legally binding agreement and to end corporate impunity.

Thank you.

Agenda Item:6 - Universal Periodic Review

Consideration of the Universal Periodic Review outcome of Mali (A/HRC/38/7)

28 June, 2018

Delivered by: Mr. Mutua K. Kobia

In Mali, the fight against terrorism, security concerns, and women's participation was addressed under its UPR outcome by GICJ.

Thank you, Mr. President,

EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice welcomes the UPR report on Mali and commends the state on maintaining a moratorium on the death penalty and encourages the continual action to combat impunity, and the worst forms of child labour. Additionally, we congratulate Mali for its endorsement of Security Council resolution 1325 relating to women’s participation in conflict management, the prevention and resolution of conflicts and the commitment to protect human rights defenders and specific protections for women human rights defenders and encourage and support Mali to fully implement these measures at all levels.

We acknowledge the challenges faced in the fight against terrorism and security concerns especially in the Sahel region. While the implementation of Resolution 2391 has been swift, there are unfortunately serious concerns over allegations of human rights abuses and violations related to the Joint Force of the Group of Five, which deserves investigation and justice towards the victims. On that note, the established military court in response to the allegations must uphold international human rights standards and in compliance with human rights law.

To this end and in addressing and combatting terrorism, transnational crimes, and internal conflicts we urge the government of Mali to commit to dialogue in pursuit of peaceful resolutions; with regards to increasing security measures we call for enhanced, constructive collaboration and solidarity with the international community and all relevant UN bodies.

In conclusion, Mr. President, we appreciate the efforts and commitments of Mali to the universal periodic review.  

Thank you.

Consideration of the Universal Periodic Review outcome of United Arab Emirates (A/HRC/38/14)

29 June, 2018

Delivered by: Mr. Yazeed Sharaiha

Protection of human rights in the UAE, especially ending the death penalty and ensuring the right to freedom of expression was addressed under its UPR outcome.

Mr. President,

We welcome United Arab Emirates acceptance of most of the recommendations made in the review cycle and the efforts it has made to balance security concerns with its international human rights obligations.

We believe that the Acceleration of steps to ratify core international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights will make the UAE more committed to Human rights.

We call on the UAE to establish a moratorium on the death penalty, as a step towards the complete abolition of this practice.

We also encourage the UAE to quickly take concrete measures to ensure the right to freedom of expression, and review legislation preventing the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and to establish in national legislation the right to information, and mechanisms to guarantee its full respect and protection in the country.

We note that the UAE were developing procedures for investigating cases in line with the nature and needs of children, but we appreciate if the State develops specific operational policies to protect children from the risks of sexual harassment and abuse.

Thank you, Mr. President. 

General Debate under Item: 6

29 June 2018

Delivered by: Mr. Yazeed Sharaiha

Israel and the UAE were addressed during the general debate of agenda Item 6.

Thank you, Mr. President,

We would like to highlight once again on the relevance of the UPR cycles as they are based on the principle of equal treatment regarding the fulfilment of the human rights obligations of each State. In this regard, we note that the argument of receiving “biased resolutions” from the Council, besides not being a founded argument, it cannot constitute by any means an excuse for committing serious human rights abuses in States. The absence of Israel today was just an example of its disrespect and non-cooperation with human rights mechanisms.

In that regard, we remind the Council that the human rights of Palestinians, including their children and women, are still being violated without any inhibition whatsoever. Before Israel criticizes the so-called ‘discrimination’ against itself in the Council, it must first respect the fundamental laws of human rights. To that end, we repeat the fundamental recommendation to ensure equal rights of all citizens regardless of origin or religion.

That being said, we commend all states that have committed to cooperate with the Council and were present in the adoption process of their respective outcome reports today. In this regard we would like to highlight the cooperation shown by the UAE in accepting most of the recommendations and their implementation of the previous recommendation in a positive manner and encourage the state to continue its efforts to secure the fundamental rights of all its persons.

Finally, we would like to emphasize the importance of the implementation of the outcome reports by all stats.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Agenda Item 7: Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories

General Debate under Item: 7

2 July 2018

Delivered by: Ms. Jennifer D. Tapia

The long-standing accountability and obligations of Israel with regards to the violations of human rights  of Palestinians was raised.

Thank you, Mr. President,

While we are discussing item 7, we would like to remind the international community that these discussions are still ongoing and will continue only because Israel has hitherto failed to implement all relevant UN resolutions that seek to protect the basic rights of Palestinian people.

In this sense, International Lawyers.org and Geneva International Centre for Justice note that the actions taken by Israel over the span of around 100 years demonstrate a systemic attempt to destroy the Palestinian people. We also note how there is no parallel in recent history where a people have been placed in such an inhumane situation for such an extended period of time.

We remind this Council that the crime of genocide is committed by a State or non-State actor which intentionally undertakes to destroy a people in whole or in part. Thus, we call on this Council to initiate an investigation into the activities carried out by the Government of Israel, and the violations to the human rights of the Palestinian people over such a long period of time, to determine whether or not the State of Israel is committing the International crime of genocide.

Additionally, we urge this council once again to take immediate measures to pressure the State of Israel to terminate all illegal settlement activities, and to stop the institutionalized and blatant discrimination against Palestinian people.

Thank you. 

General Debate under Item: 7

2 July 2018

Delivered by: Ms. Sheefa Afath Shaik

The relocation of the US Embassy from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem contributes to the deteriorating human rights situation in the prolonged occupation of Palestine where systemic rights abuses are carried out with impunity.

Mr. President,

Despite all efforts by the international community to halt the relocation of the US Embassy from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem, this relocation took place on May 14th To choose the 14th of May as the day for the official opening of the Embassy shows a complete lack of respect and empathy towards the plight of the Palestinian people, who honour the more than 700.000 Palestinians who fled or were expelled from their homes in the 1948 war on the 15th of May.

Even though the US might have recognized Jerusalem as official capital of Israel and thus further distancing Palestine's connection towards Jerusalem, in direct violation of several UN resolutions with regard to the City of Jerusalem. EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice believe that the US are no longer, or never have been hones peace brokers in the Israel/Palestine conflict, however, it does not change the internationally recognized status of Jerusalem.

While the deteriorating situation of human rights in Palestine persists over the decades there is little to no accountability whatsoever against the perpetrators and no justice for the victims under the occupation, which includes continuous demolitions and punitive demolitions, serious human rights abuses and grave violence, and deprivation of basic rights and dignity.

Israel maintains entrenched discriminatory systems that treat Palestinians unequally. Its prolonged occupation of the West Bank and Gaza involves systematic rights abuses, including collective punishment, routine use of excessive lethal force, and prolonged administrative detention without charge or trial for hundreds. We urge the U.N. to ensure protection for the Palestinian people, and to take all necessary measures to finally bring an end to the illegal occupation of Palestine.

Thank you.

Agenda Item:8 - Follow-up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

General Debate under Item: 8

2 July 2018

Delivered by: Mr. Konstantinos Kakavoulis

The shrinking NGO space at the UN and the obligations of states to engage in cooperation under the VDPA was addressed by GICJ under agenda Item 8.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Unfortunately, States and stakeholders seem to disregard the significance of the correct implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.

While the VDPA calls for increased coordination on human rights within the UN system, States have shown a tendency to participate less in the activities of this Council –to even withdraw from it in certain cases.

The VDPA also reminds us that “Special emphasis should be given to (…) strengthening of a pluralistic civil society".

EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice stress that civil society reflects the plurality of voices that is the bedrock for any open and democratic society. The VDPA puts emphasis on the indispensable role played by civil society to remind governments of their human rights obligations, to highlight violations of human rights and to support them in their implementation.

To this end, we are particularly concerned regarding the shrinking NGO space within the UN system.

Mr. President,

The VDPA calls for enhanced cooperation between all relevant stakeholders if it is to achieve its objective. However, nowadays States seem to draw in on their national problems, to isolate themselves from the international community.

We wish to remind them that with the adoption of the VDPA, all States reaffirmed that human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated.

Let us always remember Helen Keller’s famous words: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”

Thank you.

Item:9 - Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, follow-up to and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action

General Debate under Item:9

2 July 2018

Delivered by: Ms. Jennifer D. Tapia

The DDPA contains national Action Plans towards eliminating hatred and racial discrimination and is a centre piece of Nelson Mandela's legacy, however, states are undermining these important contributions.

Thank you, Mr. President,

Our organisations would like to emphasizes the importance of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action against Racism and Discrimination as the centre piece of United Nations policy on this issue.  

With that said, we believe that the Durban Declaration is also the centre piece of Nelson Mandela’s legacy and the legacy of South Africa. We hold that efforts to belittle it or distract focus away from it are an insult to this important legacy and should not be tolerated.

In addition, we would like to point out to the fact that some States have failed to effectively implement this Declaration, thereby failing to contribute to the complete elimination of discrimination from its deep roots.

International Lawyer.org and Geneva International Centre for Justice urge the Council to unequivocally reiterate its commitment to the Durban Declaration in its words and in its deeds. Additionally, we believe that an effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action into national legislation of each State is crucial for continuing with the efforts required for the elimination of societal and institutional discrimination reflected in hatred, societal behaviour, and incitement, thereby guaranteeing the realisation of human rights for all, without any form of distinction.

Thank you,

Agenda Item 10: Technical assistance and capacity-building

Interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Central African Republic (oral update)

4 July, 2018

Delivered by: Mr. Mutua K. Kobia

During the Interactive Dialogue with the IE on CAR GICJ raised the issue of hate speech and incitement to violence and hatred in relation to the ongoing violence and human rights abuses.

Thank you, Mr. President,

We welcome the oral update by the Independent Expert on Central African Republic and look forward to reading her full report when finalized. EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice remain concerned with the human rights situation in CAR as recent reports have illustrated continued grave violations including gender-based violence, child combatants, and attacks and killings on civilians some of which have been attributed to intercommunal violence. We are also concerned about attacks on peacekeepers and the continued cross-border trafficking of weapons.

As noted by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, and the independent expert, Ms. Bocoum, hate speech and the incitement of violence has provoked and sparked numerous instances of violence against particular groups on the basis of ethnicity and religion and to manipulate and deceive the population. Such issues in consideration of addressing root causes must be seriously looked into and concrete measures must be put into place to combat hate speech and the incitement of violence. In addition, practical steps and examples of best practices towards the promotion and protection of human rights and solidarity requires the assistance and support of this Council and the international community.

Mr. President,

In light of the deteriorating situation in CAR impunity persists and efforts to provide adequate protection and justice towards the victims is much too slow. To this end, victim and witness protection strategies, disarmament, truth and reconciliation initiatives, and peace and security measures urgently require technical assistance and the full and effective participation of women and the voices of grass roots organisations.

In conclusion, we would like to ask the independent expert what specific measures towards combatting hate speech and incitement to hatred and violence would be most effective in Central African Republic and what assistance can the international community provide towards achieving positive results in this regard?

Thank you, 

General Debate under Item: 10

5 July 2018

Delivered by: Mr. Siddharth Abraham Srikanth

Mali, CAR, and the Pacific Islands were addressed by GICJ during the general debate under item 10.

Thank You Mr. President,

International-Lawyers.Org and Geneva International Centre for Justice would like to highlight the imperative nature of technical assistance efforts to ensure the sustainable futures of the countries in question.

For example, despite Mali’s commendable efforts to cooperate with the recommendations highlighted in its UPR, it will require continued technical assistance towards its peace agreement, combating forced child labour, and fighting terrorism in the Sahel region to achieve immediate positive results. In the Central African Republic, there is a dire need to support the rehabilitation of victims, finance the RCPCA, support the combating of hate speech, and reintegrate children formerly recruited by illicit armed groups.

In a distinct yet equally threatening scenario, many Pacific Island states face the existential hazard of rising sea levels. For Fiji, Tuvalu, Kiribati, and the Marshall Islands, the current predicted sea level rise would result in their almost total submersion by the year 2100, with changes in both geographic features and water temperatures having the additional potential to adversely alter the fishing stocks that these states heavily rely on for food security.

With negligible capacity to stem this threat themselves, these states depend on larger countries to implement reforms that might prevent a more drastic warming of the Earth’s atmosphere. To that end, our organisations call upon the United States as one of the world’s largest energy consumers to acknowledge climate change as a genuine threat and make expeditious provisions to put in place a more sustainable policy on the same.

Many thanks.  

General Debate under Item: 10

5 July 2018

Delivered by: Ms. Sheefa Afath Shaik

Humanitarian assistance and aid for the Yemeni people is a deep concern for GICJ regarding the devastating humanitarian crisis in Yemen and was thus raised during the general debate under agenda Item 10.

Thank you, Mr. President,

We would like to call on the Council’s attention once again on the potentially worst humanitarian crisis of the last 50 years, which continues to crop up in Yemen while utterly affecting the welfare of Yemeni people. We maintain that the imposition and constant renewal of the sanctions regime has brought devastating effects for the human rights fulfilment of Yemeni people, it has debilitated the already torn up country, and has altogether aggravated the humanitarian crisis in terms of access to food and medical supplies.

EAFORD and Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) believe that efforts made by the international community for lifting the blockade, while addressing the causes of the ongoing civil war through peace negotiations and providing protection to civilians’ human rights to restore their dignity is the best approach for starting the process of ameliorating the unfortunate plight of Yemeni People.

We remind the Council that nearly 20 million Yemenis are in need of humanitarian assistance, 3 million people are internally displaced.  However, humanitarian aid can only temporarily ease the desperate situation in Yemen. Only a peace-reaching approach can lead to a definite solution. We thus urge the international community to intensify the efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace in the country.

We hold that a peace-reaching approach will lead to a definite solution for the current plight in Yemen, but we note that increased efforts for humanitarian assistance is urgently needed until definite solutions are reached for Yemenis’ survival, welfare, restoration and human rights protection.

Thank you,

GICJ's Participation at the 38th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council

GICJ's Participation at the Human Rights Council: