Resources and Tools

Since the inception of the Human Rights Council, the Easier Said Than Done (ESTD) series has reviewed Commonwealth member states’ performance at the Council. The series provides a basis for evaluating Commonwealth countries’ engagement with the Council and considers if their voting behavior in support of resolutions is consistent with their voluntary pledges and commitments to the Council. A link to the ESTD Report for the 38th session of the Human Rights Council is provided here, and you can access other reports at: http://www.humanrightsinitiative.org/publication

This video features the personal accounts of human rights defenders detailing the plight of targeted individuals who face life-altering consequences after cooperating with the UN. These acts of retaliation by the State are known as reprisals, and can include travel bans, stalking, personal threats or threats against the family, detainment and in many cases even conviction. The video provides information on the role of the UN Assistant Secretary General, senior official on reprisals.

An example of a weak statement by a State at the Human Rights Council. This statement focuses on the Commission of Enquiry on Burundi.

An example of a good statement by States made at the Human Rights Council. This statement focuses on the acts of reprisals and intimidation in Egypt against individuals who seek to cooperate or have cooperated with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights.

An example of a good (joint) statement made by States at the Human Rights Council. This joint statement aims to offer guidance on when the Council should engage with a concerned State, to prevent, respond to or address violations and to assist in de-escalation of a situation of concern.

An example of a resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council. This resolution creates a commission of inquiry to conduct an investigation into human rights violations in Burundi, and includes details on the scope of its mandate, including identifying perpetrators, making recommendations, and presenting a report to the General Assembly.

An example of a flyer promoting a side event at the Human Rights Council.

An example of a flyer promoting a side event at the Human Rights Council.

An example of a flyer promoting a side event at the Human Rights Council.

This checklist explains the steps you need to take to organise a side event at the UN Human Rights Council.