{"id":48775,"date":"2021-02-22T11:23:58","date_gmt":"2021-02-22T11:23:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/humanrightsdefenders.blog\/?p=19499"},"modified":"2021-02-22T11:23:58","modified_gmt":"2021-02-22T11:23:58","slug":"hrd-issues-on-agenda-of-46th-session-of-the-council","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2021\/02\/22\/hrd-issues-on-agenda-of-46th-session-of-the-council\/","title":{"rendered":"HRD issues on agenda of 46th Session of the council"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Although I have decided to focus this blog mostly on human rights defenders and their awards, I will make an exception for the regular sessions of the UN Human Rights Council of which the <\/strong>46th session has started on 22 February and which will last until to 23 March 2021. This post is based on the as always excellent general overview published by the International Service for <\/code>Human rights: “HRC46 | Key issues on agenda of March 2021 session”. Here\u2019s an overview of some of the key issues on the agenda which affect HRDs directly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Modalities for NGOs this year: According to the Bureau minutes of 4 February 2021<\/a>: \u201cConcerning the participation of NGOs in the 46th session, the President clarified that under the proposed extraordinary modalities, NGOs in consultative status with the ECOSOC would be invited to submit pre-recorded video statements for a maximum of three general debates in addition to the interactive dialogues, panel discussions and UPR adoptions as they had been able to do during the 45th session. In addition, \u201cthe Bureau agreed that events organised virtually by NGOs in consultative status with the ECOSOC could be listed on the HRC Extranet for information purposes.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Human Rights implications of COVID-19<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The pandemic – and States\u2019 response to it – has presented various new challenges and threats for those defending human rights. The pandemic has exposed and deepened existing discrimination, violence and other violations. Governments have used COVID as a pretext for further restricting fundamental rights, including through the enactment of legislation, and specific groups of defenders – including WHRDs and LGBTI rights defenders – have lost their livelihoods, access to health services have reduced and they have been excluded from participating in pandemic responses. Action to address the pandemic must be comprehensive and systemic, it must apply a feminist, human rights-based, and intersectional lens, centred on non-discrimination, participation and empowerment of vulnerable communities. Last March ISHR joined a coalition of 187 organisations<\/a> to draw the Council\u2019s attention to the situation of LGBTI persons and defenders in the context of the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#HRC46| Thematic areas of interest<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Protection of human rights defenders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On March 3rd and 4th, the Council will hold an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders on her annual report \u201cFinal warning: death threats and killings of human rights defenders<\/a>\u201d, and the country visit report<\/a> of her predecessor to Peru.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reprisals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Reports of cases of intimidation and reprisals against those cooperating or seeking to cooperate with the UN not only continue, but grow. Intimidation and reprisals violate the rights of the individuals concerned, they constitute violations of international human rights law and undermine the UN human rights system. See also: https:\/\/humanrightsdefenders.blog\/tag\/reprisals\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN has taken action towards addressing this critical issue including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n