We are aware that, in light of the present uncertainty surrounding the proposal for the Human Rights Council, the agenda for the 62nd session of the Commission on Human Rights is under review.
As human rights non-governmental organisations actively involved in the work of the Commission, we would like to express our view on what the session needs to do, regardless of its duration. We acknowledge that this session will take place while the modalities of the successor of the Commission are being finalised and we accept the consequent need to ensure a swift transition from the Commission to the Council when the necessary resolution is adopted by the General Assembly. Yet, we consider that, in addition to the essential transitional arrangements, the agenda for the 62nd session of the Commission needs to address five core elements of the UN human rights protection mandate.
The High Commissioner for Human Rights should present her reports and there should be discussion of it.
The Special Procedures of the Commission should present their reports. The reports should be fully acknowledged and debated. There should be guaranteed time set aside for an effective interactive dialogue, with participation of non-government organisations. Mandates that come to an end at this session should be renewed.
Member States of the Commission should have the opportunity to respond to human rights situations, including through the 1503 procedure.
Human rights defenders should be able to address the session orally and present the situations they have witnessed.
The standard setting activities of the Commission that are able to be finalised by the Commission should be completed and forwarded to higher organs of the United Nations.
Ensuring that these five elements are incorporated into the work of the session will prevent any "protection gap" between the end of the Commission and the beginning of the Council and provide the best legacy from this Commission to the Council.
We would be grateful for your response to these recommendations.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Sidoti
Director, for
Alessandra Aula
Franciscans International
Rachel Brett
Quaker UN Office, Geneva
Mariette Grange
Human Rights Watch
Nicholas Howen
International Commission of Jurists
Philippe LeBlanc
Dominicans for Justice and Peace
Antoine Madelin
Fédération Internationale des Ligues des Droits de l’Homme
Eric Sottas
Organisation Mondial Contre la Torture
Mark Thomson
Association for the Prevention of Torture