60th session of the Human Rights Council

#HRC60 Highlights

GANHRI’s engagement at the Human Rights Council and support to NHRIs

The 60th Session of the Human Rights Council took place in Geneva at the Palais des Nations, from 8 September to 9 October 2025. Throughout the session, GANHRI supported the engagement of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and addressed priority thematic areas.

Promoting the rights of older persons

GANHRI intervened in the Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of All Human Rights by Older Persons, welcoming her report highlighting challenges faced by older persons, particularly regarding the right to work and access to social protection.

NHRIs are documenting serious concerns about discriminatory barriers that prevent older persons from accessing retirement benefits and social services. These obstacles particularly affect women, persons with disabilities, migrants, Indigenous Peoples, and LGBTIQ+ persons. States must adopt inclusive and rights-based social protection systems that are accessible to all older persons.

The Human Rights Council adopted Resolution 60/L.15, which establishes an intergovernmental working group to draft a legally binding instrument on the rights of older persons and renews the mandate of the Independent Expert for three years.

NHRIs from Ethiopia, Malaysia, Nigeria, Palestine, and the Philippines also contributed to the dialogue, sharing national experiences in promoting and protecting the rights of older persons.

Advancing Indigenous Peoples’ rights

During the Interactive Dialogue on the annual report of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP), GANHRI reaffirmed that access to and participation in data collection, management, and use are fundamental rights of Indigenous Peoples. States must include Indigenous representatives in national statistical bodies to ensure their meaningful participation in decision-making and data governance processes.

GANHRI’s Indigenous Peoples Caucus strengthens cooperation among NHRIs to promote Indigenous rights and advance the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Building on the Caucus’ participation in EMRIP’s 18^th session, GANHRI met with EMRIP on the margins of HRC60 to strengthen collaboration.

NHRIs from Burundi, Colombia, and Ukraine also participated in the dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples’ rights.

Strengthening civic space and the role of NHRIs

GANHRI, together with the Permanent Mission of Ireland and OHCHR, hosted a side event on the global challenges towards civic space and the role of NHRIs as bridges between States and civil society. Representatives from the NHRIs of Colombia, Georgia, Mongolia, and Northern Ireland shared experiences in documenting violations, influencing legislation, and protecting human rights defenders.

States and international partners, such as the European Union and OHCHR, emphasized the role of civic space in advancing democracy and sustainable development. In closing the event, the Ambassador of Ireland stressed the need for adequately resourced and independent NHRIs, supported by strong regional and international cooperation. During the Interactive Dialogue on the Secretary-General’s report on cooperation with the UN and its mechanisms, GANHRI expressed alarm over continued reports of intimidation and reprisals against NHRIs, human rights defenders, and civil society actors engaging with the UN. More inclusive and networked multilateralism is essential to ensure their safe and meaningful engagement with international mechanisms.

GANHRI’s global survey finds that NHRIs continue to face political pressure, budget constraints, and harassment. The study identifies trends and good practices on how NHRIs play a key preventive role in addressing intimidation and fostering enabling environments for human rights work.

Monitoring human rights in migration contexts

OHCHR’s latest study on migration and human rights monitoring documents how NHRIs support innovative monitoring efforts across borders, detention centers, and beyond. The report features examples from GANHRI members in Costa Rica, Greece, Malaysia, Mexico, Panama, Poland, and Serbia.

During the side event launching the report, GANHRI Secretary Alyson Kilpatrick highlighted that NHRIs provide impartial insight on the ground and help translate human rights standards into policy change. Effective monitoring requires follow-up, assessment, and tangible improvements in protection. NHRIs need institutional support to ensure their reports inform parliamentary debates, legislative reform, and policy oversight.

During discussions at the Council, GANHRI stressed that independent human rights monitoring prevents violations and strengthens States’ ability to meet international obligations, regardless of migration status. States must guarantee NHRIs’ operational, financial, and institutional independence, in line with the Paris Principles. This includes adequate and sustainable funding, as well as safe and full access for monitoring border governance.

GANHRI supports enhanced regional cooperation and with civil society organizations, alongside the proposal for an international independent monitoring mechanism to foster compliance at international borders.

Upholding international law and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza

During the General Debate on situations requiring the Council’s urgent attention, GANHRI highlighted the need to uphold international law and human rights amid rising global conflict and erosion of accountability mechanisms. Recalling the UN’s founding promise to protect future generations from war, GANHRI underscored the importance of the Human Rights Council and other mechanisms in safeguarding human dignity and ensuring accountability.

GANHRI drew particular attention to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, citing reports of mass civilian casualties, obstruction of life-saving aid, and attacks on journalists, UN experts, and NGO workers. The Independent Commission for Human Rights of Palestine (ICHRP) continues to document violations despite grave personal risks.

National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-Up (NMIRFs)

The session featured discussions on the growing role of NMIRFs in translating international human rights commitments into domestic action. GANHRI’s newly released report and position paper on how NHRIs work with these mechanisms provided valuable insights, including six key recommendations for states on establishing effective implementation systems.

At the side event “Promoting International Cooperation to Support NMIRFs,” organized by OHCHR and States, Paraguay and Portugal shared good practices on building inclusive and institutionalized mechanisms for coordination and reporting. A second event, “Harnessing Digital Innovation for Human Rights Implementation,” explored how technology can enhance coordination between governments, NHRIs, NMIRFS.

Key resolutions of relevance to NHRIs

The Human Rights Council adopted 35 resolutions, two decisions, and one President’s Statement These include the establishment of a new mandate focused on Afghanistan, the merging of the mandates addressing contemporary forms of slavery and trafficking in persons, and extensions to 14 existing country specific and thematic mandates.

Several resolutions referred to the role of NHRIs:

Resolution 60/L.11 on promoting international cooperation to support NMIRFs, recognizes NHRI contributions and encourages peer exchange.
Resolution 60/L.15 on the human rights of older persons, calls for cooperation between NHRIs, civil society, and the Independent Expert.
Resolution 60/L.17 on technical cooperation and capacity-building, highlights the complementarity between NHRIs and NMIRFs.
Resolution 60/L.21 on prevention, rule of law and accountability, reaffirms strong, independent NHRIs as key preventive actors.
Resolution 60/L.25 on the cooperation with the UN, underscores the protection of NHRIs and defenders from reprisals.
Resolution 60/L.24, on Indigenous Peoples, recognizes the role of NHRIs in advancing Indigenous rights.

Country-specific resolutions on Afghanistan, Burundi, Cambodia, the Central African Republic, and Somalia also called for the establishment or strengthening of independent NHRIs in line with the Paris Principles.

Reports by the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Oral updates and country reports delivered by the High Commissioner on the work of his Office covered country situations including Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territories, , Myanmar, Nicaragua, , Sri Lanka, Sudan, and Ukraine.

The NHRI of Ukraine delivered a statement in response to the High Commissioner’s oral updates on Ukraine.

Interaction with Special Procedures mandate holders

Several NHRIs participated in interactive dialogues with special procedures mandate holders, delivering oral and video statements on various human rights issues, including:

NHRI of Burundi: delivered statements on enforced disappearances, safe water and sanitation, arbitrary detention, climate change, the rights of Indigenous Peoples, the High Commissioner’s report on the panel on economic, social, and cultural rights (ESCR), and during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Burundi.
NHRI of Cameroon: participated via video in the Biennial Panel on Youth and Human Rights.
NHRI of Canada: intervened during the interactive dialogue on arbitrary detention.
NHRI of Colombia: addressed the Council via video on truth and reconciliation, slavery, enforced disappearances, the rights of peasants, the rights of people of African descent, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
NHRI of Ethiopia: presented video statements on truth, justice and reparations, enforced disappearances, climate change, the right to development, and the rights of older persons.
NHRI of Malaysia: intervened via video in the interactive dialogue on the rights of older persons.
NHRI of Morocco: intervened in discussions on youth and human rights, water and sanitation, and climate change.
NHRI of Nigeria: delivered video statements on arbitrary detention, climate change, and the rights of people of African descent.
NHRI of the State of Palestine: delivered video statements on water and sanitation, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, and on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories.
NHRI of the Philippines: presented statements on discrimination and harmful practices against intersex persons and on the rights of older persons.
NHRI of Qatar: submitted video statements on the right to development, youth and human rights, and during the urgent debate on aggression against Qatar.
NHRI of Zimbabwe: addressed the panel on discrimination and harmful practices against intersex persons and participated in dialogues on unilateral coercive measures, arbitrary detention, and enforced disappearances.

Interaction with Human Rights Council–mandated investigative bodies

The Council addressed serious country-specific situations including Belarus, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Palestine, Qatar, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Venezuela.

The following NHRIs participated in the following discussions:

The NHRI of the Democratic Republic of the Congo presented a video statement during the enhanced interactive dialogue on the report of the High Commissioner and Experts on the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The NHRI of State of Palestine submitted via video statement during the Urgent debate on the human rights situation in Palestine and the Occupied Arab territories.
The NHRI of Qatar intervened via video statement during the urgent debate to “discuss the recent military aggression carried out by the State of Israel against the State of Qatar on 9 September 2025.”
The NHRI of Ukraine delivered video statements during the interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine and in response to the High Commissioner’s oral update on the human rights situation in Ukraine.

Panels and annual discussions

The 60^th session of the Human Rights Council saw the continuation of panels and discussions taking place on the protection and promotion of human rights. NHRIs engaged in the following discussions:

The NHRI of Morocco participated in the Biennial Panel on Youth and Human Rights and in the Panel on Climate Change.
The NHRIs of Morocco, Togo, and the Philippines delivered statements during the annual discussion on the integration of a gender perspective throughout the work of the Council and its mechanisms.
The NHRI of Togo delivered a video statement during the annual gender integration debate.

Adoption of Universal Periodic Review (UPR) reports

During the 60th session, the Human Rights Council adopted the UPR outcome reports of Armenia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao PDR, Lesotho, Spain, Sweden, and Türkiye,

The NHRIs of Armenia and Sweden delivered statements upon the adoption of their respective UPR outcome reports. The NHRI of Kenya submitted a written statement.

Country situations

The Council adopted several country-specific resolutions with implications for NHRIs, calling on States to:

Afghanistan: re-establish of an independent NHRI and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
Burundi: guarantee the independence and adequate resourcing of the National Human Rights Commission, in line with international standards.
Central African Republic: bring the National Commission into alignment with the Paris Principles and consider extending its mandate to function as a National Preventive Mechanism against torture.

The resolution on Cambodia welcomed the progress underway in developing legislation to establish a NHRI in line with the Paris Principles, while the resolution on Somalia welcomed progress in establishing an independent NHRI and encouraged strengthened autonomy and resources.

List of HRC60 NHRIs and GANHRI Statements

A recording of the HRC60 session is available on UN Web TV.

Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Democratic Republic of the Congo

NHRI Democratic Republic of the Congo – Commission Nationale des Droits de l’Homme de la République Démocratique du Congo – Delivered by Paul Nsaxpu Mukul, Chair

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Truth, Justice, Reparation and Guarantees of Non-Recurrence

NHRI Colombia – Defensoría del Pueblo – Delivered by Iris Marín Ortiz, Ombudsperson

NHRI Ethiopia – Ethiopian Human Rights Commission – Delivered by Berhanu Adello Gebremariam, Chief Commissioner

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development

NHRI Qatar – National Human Rights Committee – Delivered by Sultan Hassan Al-Jamali, General Secretary

Interactive Dialogue with the Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development

NHRI Ethiopia – Ethiopian Human Rights Commission – Delivered by Abdi Jibril Ali, Commissioner for Civil, Political and Socio-Economic Rights

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery

NHRI Colombia – Defensoría del Pueblo de Colombia – Delivered by Iris Marín Ortiz, Ombudsperson

Panel Discussion on Combating Discrimination, Violence and Harmful Practices against Intersex Persons

NHRI Philippines – Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines – Delivered by Faydah Maniri Dumarpa, Commissioner

NHRI Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission – Delivered by Fungayi Jessie Majome, Chair

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Unilateral Coercive Measures

NHRI Zimbabwe -– Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission – Delivered by Fungayi Jessie Majome, Chair

Biennial Panel on Youth and Human Rights

NHRI Cameroon – Cameroon Human Rights Commission – Delivered by Lynda Bassengue, Officer

NHRI Morocco – Conseil National des Droits de l’Homme du Maroc – Delivered by Malak Benseghir, Chief of the section of interaction with the UN system

NHRI Qatar – National Human Rights Committee – Delivered by Sultan Hassan Al-Jamali, General Secretary

Urgent Debate on Aggression against Qatar

NHRI Qatar – National Human Rights Committee – Delivered by Maryam Al Attiya, Chair

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights to Safe Water and Sanitation

NHRI Morocco – Conseil National des Droits de l’Homme du Maroc – Delivered by Maimouna Essayed, Chair of the human rights regional commission of Dakhala-Oued Ed-Dahab

NHRI State of Palestine – Independent Commission for Human Rights – Delivered by Issam Abualhaj, Commissioner General

Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Enforced Disappearances

NHRI Burundi – Commission Nationale Indépendante des Droits de l’Homme – Delivered by Martin Blaise Nyaboho, Chair

NHRI Colombia – Defensoría del Pueblo de Colombia – Delivered by Iris Marin Ortiz, Ombudsperson

NHRI Ethiopia – Ethiopian Human Rights Commission – Delivered by Berhanu Adello GEBREMARIAM, Chief commissioner

NHRI State of Palestine – Independent Commission for Human Right – Delivered by Ammar ALDWAIK, Director general

NHRI Ukraine – Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights – Delivered by Dmytro Lubinets, Commissioner

NHRI Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission – Delivered by Fungayi Jessie Majome, Chair

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Burundi

NHRI Burundi – Commission Nationale Indépendante des Droits de l’Homme – Delivered by Mgr. Martin Blaise Nyaboho, Chair

Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

NHRI Burundi – Commission Nationale Indépendante des Droits de l’Homme du Burundi – Delivered by Martin Blaise Nyaboho, Chair

NHRI Canada – Canadian Human Rights Commission – Delivered by GANHRI, Cesare Lombardi, Assistant Human Rights Officer

NHRI Nigeria – National Human Rights Commission – Delivered by Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary/CEO

NHRI State of Palestine – Independent Commission for Human Rights – Delivered by Ammar ALDWAIK, Director general

NHRI Zimbabwe – Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission – Delivered by Fungayi Jessie Majome, Chair

Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of All Human Rights by Older Persons

GANHRI – Delivered by Cesare Lombardi, Assistant Human Rights Officer – Download statement
NHRI Ethiopia – Ethiopian Human Rights Commission – Delivered by Abdi Jibril ALI, Commissioner for civil, political and socio-economic rights
NHRI Malaysia – Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) – Delivered by Mohd Hishamudin Bin Md Yunus, Chair
NHRI Nigeria – National Human Rights Commission – Delivered by Tony Ojukwu Sanvee, Executive Secretary/CEO
NHRI Philippines – Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines – Delivered by Beda A. Epres, Commissioner
NHRI State of Palestine – Independent Commission for Human Rights – Delivered by Ola Adawi, International relations officer

Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on the Rights of Peasants

NHRI Colombia – Defensoría del Pueblo de Colombia – Delivered by Iris Marin Ortiz, Ombudsperson

Interactive Dialogue on the Secretary-General’s Synthesis Report on Climate Change

NHRI Burundi – Commission Nationale Indépendante des Droits de l’Homme du Burundi – Delivered by Martin Blaise Nyaboho, Chair
NHRI Ethiopia – Ethiopian Human Rights Commission – Delivered by Berhanu Adello GEBREMARIAM, Chief commissioner
NHRI Morocco – Conseil National des Droits de l’Homme du Maroc – Delivered by Maimouna Essayed, Chair of the human rights regional commission of Dakhala-Oued Ed-Dahab
NHRI Nigeria – National Human Rights Commission – Delivered by Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary/CEO

Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Report on the Panel on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (HRC60)

NHRI Burundi – Commission Nationale Indépendante des Droits de l’Homme – Delivered by Martin Blaise Nyaboho, Chair

NHRI Morocco – Conseil National des Droits de l’Homme du Maroc – Delivered by Maimouna Essayed, Chair of the human rights regional commission of Dakhala-Oued Ed-Dahab

NHRI State of Palestine – Independent Commission for Human Rights – Delivered by Mr. Issam Abualhaj, Commissioner General

General Debate (Item 3)

GANHRI – Delivered by Fungayi Jessie Majome, Chair of Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission on behalf of GANHRI – Download the statement

Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine

NHRI Ukraine – Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights – Delivered by Dmytro Lubinets, Commissioner

General Debate (Item 4)

GANHRI – Delivered by Katharina Rose, Geneva representative – Download the statement

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

NHRI Burundi – Commission Nationale Indépendante des Droits de l’Homme du Burundi – Delivered by Martin Blaise Nyaboho, Chair
NHRI Colombia – Defensoría del Pueblo de Colombia – Delivered by Iris Marin Ortiz, Ombudperson
NHRI Ukraine – Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights – Delivered by Dmytro Lubinets, Commissioner

Interactive Dialogue with the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP)

GANHRI – Delivered by Cesare Lombardi, Assistant Human Rights Officer – Download the statement

Interactive Dialogue on the Secretary-General’s Report on Cooperation with the United Nations

GANHRI – Delivered by Sunjid Dugar, Chief Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia on behalf of GANHRI – Download the statement

Adoption of UPR Outcomes (Item 6)

NHRI Armenia – Human Rights Defender of Armenia –Delivered by Anahit Manasyan, Human Rights Defender of Armenia

NHRI Sweden – Swedish Institute for Human Rights – Delivered by Fredrik Malmberg, Director

General Debate on the Human Rights Situation in Palestine and Other Occupied Arab Territories (Item 7)

NHRI State of Palestine – Independent Commission for Human Rights – Delivered by Mr. Issam Abualhaj, Commissioner General

Annual Discussion on the Integration of a Gender Perspective throughout the Work of the Human Rights Council and its Mechanisms

NHRI Philippines – Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines – Delivered by Faydah Maniri Dumarpa, Commissioner
NHRI Togo – Commission Nationale des Droits de l’Homme du Togo – Delivered by Kwao Ohini Sanvee, President

Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on People of African Descent

NHRI Colombia – Defensoría del Pueblo de Colombia – Delivered by Iris Marin Ortiz, Ombudsperson
NHRI Nigeria – National Human Rights Commission – Delivered by Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary/CEO

Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Oral Update on Ukraine

NHRI Ukraine – Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights – Delivered by Dmytro Lubinets, Commissioner