Council Concludes General Debate on Human Rights Bodies and Mechanisms
The Human Rights Council this morning adopted the Universal Periodic Review outcome of Bahrain. It also concluded the general debate on agenda item five on human rights bodies and mechanisms.
The Council adopted the Universal Periodic Review outcome of Bahrain. The President said of the 245 recommendations received, 172 enjoyed the support of Bahrain, and 73 were noted.
Speaking in the Universal Periodic Review of Bahrain were Gambia, India, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.
Also speaking were Alsalam Foundation, International Human Rights Association of American Minorities, Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain Inc., Iraqi Development Organization, International Council Supporting Fair Trial and Human Rights, Khiam Rehabilitation Centre for Victims of Torture, Human Rights Watch, Advocates for Human Rights, Amnesty International, and Africa Culture Internationale.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Council continued the general debate on human rights bodies and mechanisms, which began yesterday. A summary can be viewed here.
In the general debate, many speakers commended the work of the Special Procedures. Many greatly valued the contribution of the Human Rights Council’s human rights bodies and mechanisms and acknowledged the role they played in assisting States in implementing their international human rights obligations. Some speakers reiterated the importance of allowing Special Rapporteurs and Independent Experts to carry out their work independently and safely, within a framework of cooperation and respect. It was regretful that some States refused to allow them entry into the country and hampered access to information, which significantly limited the international community’s ability to cooperate in preventing or assisting with possible human rights violations.
Some speakers maintained that the communications and reports of the human rights bodies should be based on verifiable and reliable sources, with ground realities being properly assessed. The mandate holders of the Special Procedures were urged to carry out their work in strict adherence to the Code of Conduct, in accordance with Council resolution 5/2, through dialogue and cooperation, in a transparent and impartial manner, without selectivity, politicisation or double standards.
Speaking in the general debate were Costa Rica, India, Nepal, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Georgia, Gambia, Algeria, South Africa, Bolivia, Cuba, Pakistan, Tunisia, Russian Federation, Venezuela, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Iraq, Armenia, Austria, Uganda, Libya, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Ghana, Iran, and Cambodia.
