GENEVA, Switzerland.
The 28th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) was held in Geneva from March 2-27. Berta Marco, as representative of the Teresian Association at this UN agency, shares her vision on what developed.
A light fog hid the contour of the snowy Alps during those days but the Lake in front of United Nations building, looked at its best, with its transparent and reflecting water where one could go to after hearing the shocking stories on violations of human rights.
An extensive program
From March 2-27 the 28th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) was held this year with an intense program that has included different topics: high-level panels on issues of human rights that come into the mainstream; a full day dedicated to debating climate change; the rights of children; the situation in places of conflict: Iran, Syria, Eritrea, Myanmar, Palestine; a number of issues concerning minorities of all kinds: cultural, religious, ethnic, linguistic, etc., which have been discussed in general. Also part of the UPR (Universal Periodical Review) was discussed. These "minority issues" were very present in the overall activity that developed, as part of the overall program and on the part of NGOs. It was the cry of minorities. With respect to minorities it was repeatedly stated that we must learn from the past as we read history to avoid repeating mistakes. Jane Connors (OHCHR) said: "Despite efforts, race discrimination and xenophobia persist in all countries". And also: "There is an increase in violence against ethnic or religious groups" (Flavia Pansieri, OHCHR).
Profiles that stand out, minorities who claim rights
The inaugural speech of the new head of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Jordanian Ra'ad Zeid Al Hussein, offered a clear and committed analysis: The majority of abuses of human rights in the world share two characteristics: deprivation and discrimination, whether race or ethnicity, gender, creed, sexual orientation, caste or class ... These violations respond to policies that limit freedom and participation and create obstacles to sharing resources and opportunities. Finally, he urged States to assume their responsibility in building the most basic human rights as an inalienable responsibility.
Large wounds at the present time
Among the highlights that beforehand made their way into the room of the Alliance of Civilizations (Room XX) are the realities of Iran and Syria, preceded by reports conducted by High Commission officials who have made specific missions in those countries, traveling them step by step.
What is happening in Iraq, violations perpetrated on the one hand by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS), and on the other by conflicting parties, found in multiple interviews with their specific populations are clearly qualified as war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity, with special emphasis on attacks on religious or ethnic groups, sexual or gender violence, child recruitment, use of unauthorized weapons, etc., as well as torture, unjust imprisonment, etc. In the case of Syria, besides problems similar to the above, the helplessness of civil society, the huge number of refugees, broken families, abandonment of women subjected to sexual violence and gender, and children are particularly concerning. Some NGOs brought up, in oral or written reports, the future of children without family or school who are inevitably doomed to become street children.
Civil society, a concern at the UN
In recent months, both the Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon and the new leaders who have assumed leadership roles in the UN (ECOSOC High Commissioner for Human Rights ...) have repeated their willingness to count increasingly on civil society. And they have opened numerous forums to host initiatives, proposals, spaces in which to share opinions, etc. The role of NGOs with status is no individual ownership but to do with others, join forces, support in a certain direction, being sensitized towards each other, bring visions of context, summon the will and courage to speak out ... During different meetings of the Council on Human Rights (this is the 28th), a great activity has unfolded. The topics in this 28th session that NGOs have focused more attention on: the rights of women, violence against them in many ways, combating racism and global discrimination (with multiple faces and places), religious intolerance, persecution of Christian communities, the possible Islam phobia in the West before the invasion of the so called Islamic State, and the rights of children.
The issue of women has been seen as a way to avoid their influence and social relevance in some countries by undermining them and preventing their access to the most basic levels of education. And, together with this, engage girls in marriage at an early age.
For a few days there was no talk on the objectives of stage Post-15, which is in its final phase, because that is the future. The emphasis has focused on the challenges of the present.
Berta Marco, from Geneva