47TH SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
The UN Human Rights Council held its forty-seventh regular session virtually from 21 June to 14 July 2021
Report on the central role of the State in responding to pandemics
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights presented her annual report on the activities of her Office followed by a report on the central role of the State in responding to pandemics and other health emergencies, and the socioeconomic consequences thereof in advancing sustainable development and the realisation of all human rights, the presentation was followed by an interactive discussion.
Thematic Discussions
The Council discussed a variety of issues through dedicated debates with Special Procedure mandate holders, several NHRIs participated in the dialogues via video statements, including with the:
- Special Rapporteur on adequate housing, where the New Zealand Human Rights Commission delivered a video statement on the country mission report.
- Special Rapporteur on migrants where the Defensor del Pueblo from Spain and the Greek National Commission for Human Rights delivered video statements in response to the report.
- Working Group on transnational corporations, where the German Institute on Human Rights delivered a video statement on behalf of the GANHRI WG on business and human rights.
In addition, the Council held a panel discussion on the tenth anniversary of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; a panel discussion on the adverse impact of climate change on the full and effective enjoyment of human rights by older persons and its annual full-day discussion on the human rights of women, amongst others. The GANHRI Working Groups on Business and Human Rights, Ageing and Disabilities delivered video statements accordingly.
A total of 17 NHRIs delivered pre-recorded video statements under different agenda items during the session.
Country specific situations
The HRC addressed serious country specific situations including Eritrea, Belarus, Venezuela, Syria, Myanmar and Central African Republic.
Adoption of UPR reports
The Council adopted the UPR Working Group reports on Micronesia, Lebanon, Mauritania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Australia, Saint Lucia, Nepal, Oman, Austria, Myanmar, Rwanda, Georgia, Sao Tome and Principe, and Nauru.
The NHRIs of Nepal, Mauritania and Australia delivered statements on the adoption of the reports.
Resolutions
Members of the Council adopted 27 resolutions, 15 of those were adopted by consensus including the resolution on “civil society space and COVID-19: the road to recovery and the essential role of civil society” submitted by Ireland, Japan, Sierra Leone and Tunisia. The remaining 12 resolutions were adopted by recorded vote, including the resolution on “human rights and climate change” submitted by Viet Nam, Bangladesh and Philippines.
The text of the resolutions can be found here.
For all NHRI statements, see table below.
HRC47 NHRIs Statements
[expand title=”Panel on tenth anniversary of the UN Guiding Principles on business and human rights”]
Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines
Speaker: Ms. Karen Gomez Dumpit
German Institute for Human Rights
Speaker: Mr. Deniz Utlu
On behalf of the GANHRI Working Group on Business and Human Rights
National Human Rights Council of Morocco
Speaker: Mr. Mourad Errarhib
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[expand title=”ITEM 2: ID on HC report on State response to pandemics”]
National Human Rights Commission of Morocco
Speaker: Ms. Amina Bouayach
National Human Rights Commission of India
Speaker: Justice Shri Arun Kumar Mishra
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[expand title=”ITEM 3: ID with SR on violence against women”]
National Human Rights Council of Morocco
Speaker: Ms. Amina Messaoudi
Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission
Speaker: Ms. Shaharzad Akbar
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[expand title=”ITEM 7: Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories”]
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[expand title=”ITEM 3: ID with the SR on adequate housing”]
New Zealand Human Rights Commission
Speaker: Chief Commissioner Paul Hunt
Country Mission Report
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[expand title=”ITEM 3: ID with the WG on TNC”]
German Institute for Human Rights
Speaker: Mr. Deniz Utlu
On behalf of the GANHRI Working Group on Business and Human Rights
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[expand title=”ITEM 10: ID on HC Presentation on Ukraine and interim report of SG on Crimea”]
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[expand title=”Annual Discussion on Women’s Rights – Panel 1: Violence against women and girls with disabilities”]
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
Speaker: Rosaleen McDonagh
On behalf of the GANHRI Working Group of Persons with Disabilities
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[expand title=”ITEM 3: ID with the SR on migrants”]
Defensor del Pueblo de España
Speaker: Francisco Fernández Marugán
Greek National Commission for Human Rights
Speaker: Professor Maria Gavouneli
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[expand title=”ITEM 3: SR on the Right to Privacy”]
Australian Human Rights Commission
Speaker: Mr. Edward John Santow
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[expand title=”ITEM 9: ID on HC report on systemic racism”]
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