IFSW supports new UN Human Rights Council |
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IFSW joined with a number of other non-governmental organizations (NGO's) today to present statements to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in support of the establishment of a new Human Rights Council. The Statements support the decision at the World Summit to establish a Human Rights Council and see it as an historic opportunity to establish a body far better equipped than the present Commission on Human Rights to protect and promote all human rights for all persons in all countries. This opportunity must now be seized by States and supported by all other stakeholders to enable the early establishment of an effective Human Rights Council before the end of the year.
The new Human Rights Council must be credible and legitimate in the eyes of States, civil society and rights-holders, including the victims of human rights violations. To be credible it must function effectively. This requires much more than a mere change of name from Commission to Council. A new, effective Human Rights Council requires that what contributes to the protection and promotion of human rights in the present Commission be preserved and enhanced and what hinders and undermines their protection and promotion be addressed and remedied. So, the new Council must have enhanced authority to address both acute and chronic human rights situations. It must have a stronger system of Special Procedures. It must continue and enhance the unique participation of NGOs.
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page last updated on 22.11.2005
