Oral statements delivered during the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council (18 June-12 July 2024)
Item 2: Interactive dialogue on the oral update of the Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan (19 June 2024)
Mr. President, dear Members of the FFM,
We thank you for your update. We also welcome the UN Security Council’s adoption, last week, of an important resolution on Sudan. 14 months on, the armed conflict continues. Since fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their affiliated forÂces, thousands of people have lost their lives and millions have been displaced. Unspeakable atrocities have been, and are being, committed. They include targeting of civilians, sexual violence, and ethnically motivated attacks.
As this Council meets in Geneva, escalating violence in and around El-Fasher, North Darfur, raises the risk of identity-based mass atrocities and famine. The utmost priority is to protect civilians and to comÂpel the RSF to halt their assault. Those who support the paramilitary group, as well as any party fuelling the war or blocking food relief, must stop.
Mr. President,
In October 2023, the Council’s establishment of a Fact-FinÂding Mission was a milestone for accountaÂbility. Since then, however, the UN’s liquidity crisis has worÂseÂned as a record number of states keep failing to pay their membership dues in full. The crisis has had an impact on the FFM, which has faced delays in getting its seÂcretariat staffed.
In light of these developments, 80 NGOs have urged states to adopt a resolution to extend the FFM’s mandate for at least one year and make clear that the Council will remain actively seized of the matter. If this does not happen at HRC56, it must happen at HRC57.
Failing to do so, or changing the Council’s approach (for instance by focusing on technical assistance to wholly inadequate national processes or bodies, like in the infamous 2021 Yemen precedent), would be more than a mistake; it would be an unforgiveable dereliction of duty.
Thank you for your attention.
Link to video recording of the debate / end
Item 2: Interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner’s annual report (20 June 2024)
Mr. President, Mr. High Commissioner,
We share your concerns about democratic backsliding, attacks on civic space and human rights defenÂders (HRDs), and attempts to undermine the rules-based multilateral order. We call on states to follow a principled apÂproÂach that prioritises human rights, addressing all situations of violaÂtions based on their meÂrits and objective criÂteria.
In a new report, we comprehensively analyse Africa-focused resolutions adopted since the Council’s creation, in 2006, namely from its 1st to its 55th session. “Is the Tide Turning?” covers 176 resolutions addressing African countries (28 resolutions adopted by vote and 148 resolutions adopted by conÂsenÂsus). Findings point to geopolitical divisions and disparities between regional groups’ voting record. BeÂyond sterile accuÂsaÂtions of “bias” or narratives of double standards, the situation the Council has reaÂched, with more and more resolutions being put to a vote (including those establishing or extenÂding vital independent mechanisms), does not benefit victims and survivors of violations.
Mr. President, Mr. High Commissioner,
We flag as deserving priority attention:
- Armed conflicts in Africa and their impact on HRDs and civic space; and
- Identification of early warning signs and patterns of violations, in line with HRC resolution 45/31, especially ahead of elections.
Finally, Mr. President, we reiterate the concerns we repeatedly expressed in this room, about human rights violations and abuses committed in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eswatini, Mali, and ZimÂbabÂwe, among others. These situations deserve more attention by UN and African human rights bodies and mechanisms and by the High Commissioner’s Office.
Thank you for your attention.
Link to video recording of the debate / end
Item 2: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea (20 June 2024)
Mr. President, Mr. Special Rapporteur,
Concerns over Eritrea’s rights record are widely shared. The recently released Concluding ObservaÂtions of the African Commission on Human and PeoÂples’ Rights (ACHPR) on Eritrea, following the review of the State’s combined 2nd and 3rd Periodic Report, outline a long list of conÂcerns and recomÂmenÂdations. They invalidate narratives of a UN “bias” against Eritrea.
Eritrea remains one of the most serious situations in Africa and in the world, as made clear by Dr. BaÂbiÂker’s excellent report, which we welcome – including its section on transnational repression. As you write, Dr. Babiker, the “stifling of civic engagement and suppression of critical voices by the Eritrean authorities is not confined to within the country’s borders; it also extends to Eritrean comÂmunities worldÂwide.”
Mr. President,
A group of NGOs call on the Council to adopt a resolution that extends the Special RapÂporÂteur’s manÂdate and moves beÂyond a merely “procedural” approach by clearly spelling out and conÂdemning the grave violaÂtions committed by EriÂtrean authorities in a context of wideÂspread impunity.
Eritrea remains among the very few countries that have never received any visit by a special proÂceÂdure. Authorities have utterly failed to cooperate with the Council and its mechanisms and made a mockery of membership standards and obligations.
Mr. Special Rapporteur,
As 2024 marks ten years since the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Eritrea, and Eritrea is completing its second term as a member of the Council, what can be done to enhance attenÂtion to the country’s human rights record and make sure that all accountability options and processes are explored and used?
Thank you for your attention.
Link to video recording of the debate / end
Item 4: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Burundi (4 July 2024)
[Statement delivered in French]
Mr. President, Mr. Special Rapporteur,
Thank you for your update. We welcome your visit to Rwanda and its focus on human rights and refugee issues. We encourage other states of the sub-region to accept pending visit requests.
Violations and impunity remain at an alarmingly high level in Burundi. Major human rights organisations continue to report killings, acts of torture, arbitrary arrests, and enforÂced disappearances affecting memÂbers of the opposition and real or perceived critics of the ruling CNDD-FDD party.
As processes for the 2025 general and 2027 presidential elections have been initiated, and amid reÂgioÂnal tensions and inflammatory discourses, including at the highest political level, against minorities and independent voices, we raise the alarm over the risk of further violations, in line with the UN Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes, in particular Risk Factor 8 (Triggering Factors).
Mr. President,
We welcome the process leading up to the downgrading, by GANHRI, of Burundi’s national human rights institution, the CNIDH, which does not operate in line with the Paris Principles.
In the meantime, the Burundian governÂment is back as a Council member. Beyond its complete failure to “uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights” and its refusal to take human rights concerns seÂriously, BuÂrunÂdi’s refuÂsal to meaningÂfully cooperate with UN human rights bodies and mechanisms means it conÂtinues to make a mockery of Council membership stanÂdards and obligations.
At its 57th session, the Council should extend the Special Rapporteur’s mandate. It should make clear that membership is not a shield against, but rather comes with an enhanced responÂsibility to accept, scrutiny.
Thank you for your attention.
Link to video recording of the debateÂ