UN’s annual Council passes 39 resolutions against discrimination

Debate on “traditional values” as well as LGBT rights in Cameroon and Russia were the key topics during this year’s Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva.

 

The 24th session of the Human Rights Council was held between 9-27 September, 2013 in Geneva.

 

The Council adopted a total of 39 resolutions during the sessions. These esolutions include the rights to assembly and association, the right to health, combating female genital mutilation, arbitrary detention, reprisals against human rights defenders, maintaining civil society space, promoting human rights through sport, and child, early and forced marriage.

 

There were also side events held by States and NGOs including on sexual orientation and gender identity, human rights defenders, reprisals, human rights in the Russian Federation and decriminalising abortion. Some events were held on “traditional values”.

 

During this year’s Council, there were no specific initiatives at the formal session on sexual orientation and gender identity. However relevant issues were on the table including dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the annual discussion on gender integration, general debates providing chances to raise human rights situations of concern and to comment on the new “traditional values” report.

 

Additionally, working group reports from the 16th session of the Universal Periodic Review were adopted by the Council. This provides NGOs the opportunity to comment the process. Many states and NGOs took the floor to express concern about recent developments in Cameroon and Russia.

 

The Council holds sessions three times a year: in March, June and September. It can decide at any time to hold a special session to address human rights violations or emergencies, at the request of one-third of the member states.