MORNING - Human Rights Council Holds Interactive Dialogue on the Human Rights Situation in Nicaragua, Begins General Debate on the Oral Update by the High Commissioner on Global Human Rights Developments
Council Concludes Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Human Rights Situation of Women and Girls in Afghanistan
The Human Rights Council this morning held an interactive dialogue on the situation of human rights in Nicaragua, and started a general debate on the oral update of the High Commissioner on global human rights developments and the activities of her Office. The Council also concluded its enhanced interactive dialogue on the human rights situation of women and girls in Afghanistan.
Christian Salazar Volkmann, Director of the Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in recent months, the Office had observed the further deterioration of the human rights situation in Nicaragua. This deterioration involved serious violations of civil and political rights, the absence of a national dialogue, the deepening of the political crisis, and the isolation of Nicaragua from the international community. The recommendations made by the High Commissioner in all her reports constituted a roadmap, proposing concrete actions to support Nicaragua in this task, and thus move towards overcoming the current critical situation.
Wendy Carolina Morales Urbina, Attorney General of Nicaragua, representing the country concerned, said the Government of National Reconciliation and National Unity stated once again that it fully rejected the way that this mechanism of the Human Rights Council distorted the situation in the country. Nicaragua had already clarified to the international community that the content of these updates were part of the interventionist design of the United States and other countries through the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Nicaragua would not accept these recommendations that sought to interfere in its internal affairs and reported falsehoods.
In the discussion, some speakers said that there was evidence of lack of accountability and commitment to Nicaragua’s international commitments, with a deteriorating situation of human rights in the country. The Government’s latest assault on freedoms of association and religion were strongly condemned. Other speakers pointed out that human rights issues should be addressed from a cooperative perspective, and politically motivated bias and approaches ran counter to the genuine protection and promotion of human rights. The Office of the High Commissioner should respect the political and territorial integrity of all countries, in a spirit of constructive dialogue and cooperation, and avoid measures that would lead to a spirit of dissent in the Council.
Speaking in the debate on Nicaragua were Ecuador, European Union, Organization of American States, Sweden on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries, Switzerland, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Luxembourg, Cuba, Ecuador, Ireland, Venezuela, Russian Federation, China, Peru, Syria, Chile, United States, United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Argentina, Belarus, Yemen, Belgium, Uruguay, Iran, Georgia, Malawi, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Bolivia, and Spain.
Also speaking were Centre for Justice and International Law, Freedom House, Aula Abierta, Right Livelihood Award Foundation, Advocates for Human Rights, International Federation for Human Rights Leagues, World Organization against Torture, International Service for Human Rights, CIVICUS - World Alliance for Citizen Participation, and Christian Solidarity Worldwide
The Council then started its general debate on the High Commissioner’s global human rights update. Many speakers congratulated the new High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, on his appointment and praised the outgoing High Commissioner, Michelle Bachelet on her work.
Speaking in the general debate were Czech Republic on behalf of the European Union, Pakistan on behalf of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, Côte d’Ivoire on behalf of the African Group, China on behalf of a group of countries, Azerbaijan on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, United Arab Emirates on behalf of a group of countries, South Africa on behalf of a group of countries, China on behalf of a group of countries, Pakistan on behalf of a group of countries, Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Qatar, Czech Republic, Finland, Luxembourg, Cuba, Germany, Lithuania, India, and China.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Council concluded its enhanced interactive dialogue on the human rights situation of women and girls in Afghanistan.
Some speakers said that the hopes and dreams of women and girls in Afghanistan had gone, as they were excluded from participation in economic and political life. Afghanistan was the only country in the world barring girls from secondary education and women from political life. The Taliban had abolished all legislation and institutions that protected their rights. Some speakers said the Human Rights Council should establish an independent investigative mechanism with the mandate of investigating all violations of human rights of the rights of women and girls.
In closing remarks, Zahra Joya, journalist and representative of Rukhshana Media, requested all Member States of the United Nations to take a serious decision about the situation in Afghanistan and its women, and to please hold the Taliban accountable, and ban them from travel rights.
Razia Sayad, Afghan lawyer and former Commissioner at the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, said the Taliban would not change, nor bend to international pressure - if anything, they had become even more intransigent. Expressing concern did not heal the pains of women. The only thing to help would be the establishment of a democratic regime in Afghanistan.
Mahbouba Seraj, Afghan women’s rights activist and journalist, said everybody present should show the Taliban what to do, and what would be done to make it happen. The international community should not show that it was desperate and could not do anything, as this was not the case.
Nasir Ahmad Andisha, Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said the international attention given to the issue showed its importance. This was the biggest and most important opportunity given to Afghan women to make their voices heard. This should be a lead to continuing discussions.
Bandana Rana, Member of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and Coordinator of the Committee’s Task Force on Afghanistan, said there was no alternative to collective action. United Nations agencies needed to work in solidarity, with collective action, build synergy, and communicate with each other in order to redress the rights of women and girls.
Richard Bennett, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, said the international community had a common responsibility - there was no peace and stability if half the population was left out, as speakers said yesterday. Real change would come from within Afghanistan, and there were signs of this beginning. Practical support for those who were struggling inside Afghanistan, and even those who were settling outside Afghanistan, was very much needed.
Federico Villegas, President of the Human Rights Council, concluded the enhanced dialogue by thanking the brave women of Afghanistan who spoke in the room, and also from Afghanistan. The Council would keep its attention on this situation. It had consensus on this from all Members, and this showed the commitment of the international community to the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan.
Speaking on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan were World Organization against Torture, World Vision International, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Centre for Global Non-Killing, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development, International Commission of Jurists, Next Century Foundation, International Bar Association, and Sisterhood Global Institute.
The webcast of the Human Rights Council meetings can be found here. All meeting summaries can be found here. Documents and reports related to the Human Rights Council’s fifty-first regular session can be found here.
The Council will resume its work at 3 p.m. to continue its general debate on the High Commissioner’s oral update on global human rights developments and the activities of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Human Rights Situation of Women and Girls in Afghanistan
The enhanced interactive dialogue on the human rights situation of women and girls in Afghanistan started on Monday, 12 September and a summary can be found here.
Discussion
In the discussion, some speakers said that the hopes and dreams of women and girls in Afghanistan had gone, as they were excluded from participation in economic and political life. Afghanistan was the only country in the world barring girls from secondary education and women from political life. The Taliban had abolished all legislation and institutions that protected their rights. Their interpretation of Sharia law justified violence against women and did not protect victims. The restriction of the rights of women and girls could only be called gender apartheid. Some speakers said the Human Rights Council should establish an independent investigative mechanism with the mandate of investigating all violations of human rights of women and girls.
The deteriorating situation, with acute food insecurity, the disruption of health services, and psychological distress had caused an increase in the exploitation of children, violence, and neglect. It was clear that the de facto authorities wished to systematically erase the rights of all women and girls. Honour killings and child marriage were on the rise. The international community, including countries that were members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, had had a reaction lacking in authority. There should be accountability and transparency of the international funding sent to Afghanistan. The international community was asking what could be done better, and the answer could often be found by listening to what was being said on the ground. The increased suicide rates of Afghan women were a clear sign of the decrease in hope. Support needed to be provided, and be adequate and continuous, in order to keep hope alive and progress in the right direction. Millions of women and girls had simply been wiped out from public life.
Concluding Remarks
ZAHRA JOYA, journalist and representative of Rukhshana Media, said she was happy that all were together and had discussed Afghanistan and the situation of women’s rights there. As a journalist, she requested all Member States of the United Nations to take a serious decision about the situation of the country and its women, and to please hold the Taliban accountable, and ban them from travel rights.
RAZIA SAYAD, Afghan lawyer and former Commissioner at the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, said she had lived all her life in Afghanistan, and knew her people, the country, and the Taliban. No person knew better than an Afghan woman the nature and ideology of the Taliban. Afghan women knew their oppressors. The Taliban would not change, nor bend to international pressure, if anything, they had become even more intransigent. Expressing concern did not heal the pains of women. The only thing to help would be the establishment of a democratic regime in Afghanistan.
MAHBOUBA SERAJ, Afghan women’s rights activist and journalist, said there was a saying “walk the talk”, and she wanted everybody in the Council to do that. Everybody present should show the Taliban what to do, and what would be done to make it happen. The international community should not show that it was desperate and could not do anything, as this was not the case. The international community should take it very seriously.
NASIR AHMAD ANDISHA, Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said the messages had been loud and clear, and all speakers supported the restoration of the rights of Afghan women and girls. There was unanimity on this, and it was a clear and loud message, both for the women who came to the Council, but also to the Taliban. The international attention given to the issue showed its importance. This was the biggest and most important opportunity given to Afghan women to make their voices heard. The legitimate and basic demands of women and girls to the Council had been made clear, and all members of the Council should get to know their plight and suffering, which would certainly make it possible to keep the suffering and situation of women and girls in Afghanistan above score-settling and politics: this was a common suffering, and all should keep the restoration of women’s rights at the forefront of their concerns. This should be a lead to continuing discussions.
BANDANA RANA, Member of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and Coordinator of the Committee’s Task Force on Afghanistan, said Ms. Seraj had said yesterday that Afghan women were being erased. There had to be collective visible action by the international community to make sure that this was not the case. The girls of Afghanistan still hoped that they would be able to continue their studies and fulfil their aspirations. There was no alternative to collective action. United Nations agencies needed to work in solidarity, with collective action, build synergy, and communicate with each other in order to redress the rights of women and girls. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women had asked for a report from the de facto authorities in Afghanistan, and believed that there was some form of communication that could be established in order to address the situation of women and girls.
RICHARD BENNETT, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, said this had been a very significant event. It had underlined the importance of the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan. Although it was only words, the amount of attention, the number of Member States who spoke was at least a message to Afghans and Afghan women in particular, that they were not abandoned. The international community had a common responsibility - there was no peace and stability if half the population was left out, as speakers said yesterday. Much more needed to be done in practice than it had been to date, and this was where work needed to start, and this could start with listening to Afghan women, and asking them to make a strategy. Real change would come from within Afghanistan, and there were signs of this beginning. Practical support for those who were struggling inside Afghanistan, and even those who were settling outside Afghanistan, was very much needed.
FEDERICO VILLEGAS, President of the Human Rights Council, concluded the enhanced dialogue by thanking the brave women of Afghanistan who had spoken in the room, and also from Afghanistan. In this situation, it was a risk for the women to speak up. The Council had a collective responsibility to protect the human rights of every person, beyond nationality, culture and religion, and in this case, this even showed that there was a double responsibility in the case of Afghanistan, as half the population was being systematically deprived of its rights. The Council would keep its attention on this situation. It had to walk the talk, and it would continue to do that. It had consensus on this from all Members, and this showed the commitment of the international community to the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan.
Interactive Dialogue on the Situation of Human Rights in Nicaragua
Report
The Council has before it the report of the High Commissioner on the human rights situation in Nicaragua (A/HRC/51/42).
Presentation of Report
CHRISTIAN SALAZAR VOLKMANN, Director of the Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, presenting the High Commissioner’s report, said that in recent months, the Office had observed the further deterioration of the human rights situation in Nicaragua. This deterioration involved serious violations of civil and political rights, the absence of a national dialogue, the deepening of the political crisis, and the isolation of Nicaragua from the international community. The Government had also continued silencing critical and dissenting voices in Nicaragua, drastically reducing civic space. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights continued to document acts of harassment, especially against human rights defenders, journalists, clergymen, and actual or perceived political opponents. Attacks on the freedom of association had increased exponentially.
There were serious concerns that, in the absence of significant electoral and judicial reforms as recommended by the Office of the High Commissioner and other mechanisms, the upcoming elections would not offer the conditions for free and fair elections according to international human rights standards. Nicaragua had not adopted institutional reforms in the justice, security and electoral sectors, nor with respect to the national human rights institution. Similarly, it had not introduced reforms to criminal and administrative legislation, maintaining in force a set of laws that severely restricted personal liberty and other fundamental freedoms, presumption of innocence, and participation. Nicaragua had failed to address any of the recommendations made regarding accountability and the fight against impunity for the gross human rights violations committed since April 2018. The recommendations made by the High Commissioner in all her reports constituted a roadmap, proposing concrete actions to support Nicaragua in this task, and thus move towards overcoming the current critical situation, with the essential support of the international community.
Statement by Country Concerned
WENDY CAROLINA MORALES URBINA, Attorney General of Nicaragua, representing the country concerned, said the Government of National Reconciliation and National Unity stated once again that it fully rejected the way that this mechanism of the Human Rights Council distorted the situation in the country. Nicaragua had already clarified to the international community that the content of these updates were part of the interventionist design of the United States and other countries through the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. In this report, as in others, there was falsification and deceit as to the implementation of human rights in the country, echoing imperialist views.
Nicaragua would not accept these recommendations that sought to interfere in its internal affairs and reported falsehoods. Nicaragua was moving forward to ensure human rights for all its inhabitants, despite the coercive measures, and would guarantee the rights of physical persons in the country. Genuine human rights could not exist without democratising wealth, even though this was not in line with the superpowers and others, whose actions against the people of Nicaragua were a real crime against humanity. The Council must act with respect to equality and justice, and should play its historic role vis a vis humanity, allowing each country to live in its own context of peace and security, in respect of its laws.
Discussion
In the ensuing discussion, some speakers said there was evidence of a lack of accountability and commitment to Nicaragua’s international commitments, with a deteriorating situation of human rights in the country. The enjoyment of the freedom of expression and of the press was restricted. Nicaragua should restore the national dialogue. All political prisoners should be released. The recommendations of the Office of the High Commissioner should be implemented. The Council should take concrete measures to protect and promote the human rights of all in the country. Widespread repression was stifling Nicaraguans. The repressive spiral that was aimed at wiping out dissenting voices had been documented. The Government’s latest assaults on freedoms of association and religion were strongly condemned. Some speakers said the regime must immediately cease its harassment of human rights defenders, clergymen, press, and others. It should cooperate with regional human rights mechanisms. It was clear that the authorities did not want to apply the recommendations made by the Office of the High Commissioner, and the situation of human rights was spiralling downward.
Repressive measures were being taken to restrict political life, some speakers said. Nicaragua’s decision to isolate itself and shirk its international obligations was deplored. The authorities should grant access to international human rights protection mechanisms to the country. The Government should commit to implementing the recommendations made. The overall situation, and the accelerating degradation of the situation, following the fraudulent elections in 2021 were of great concern. Recent trials against political opponents did not respect international standards. It was regretted that Nicaragua did not come before the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, as this could be evidence of the country further moving away from cooperation with the international system. The authorities should commit to a human rights-based national dialogue, and engage with the next cycle of the Universal Periodic Review mechanism.
Some speakers pointed out that human rights issues should be addressed from a cooperative perspective, and politically motivated bias and approaches ran counter to the genuine protection and promotion of human rights. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights should respect the political and territorial integrity of all countries, in a spirit of constructive dialogue and cooperation, and avoid measures that would lead to a spirit of dissent in the Council. Some speakers deplored the continued hostile actions against Nicaragua, including those made in the name of human rights, which used bodies and mechanisms in an illegitimate way to this end. Nicaragua was encouraged to continue to combat external threats. Nicaragua was congratulated on the great strides it had made towards ensuring peace, democracy, and human rights. Agenda item two of the Council should not be used to single out States, but to assess the work of the Office of the High Commissioner. Some speakers stressed that all politically driven exercises within the Council that did not have the consent of the country involved were rejected, as was the report, which distorted the situation of human rights in Nicaragua.
Concluding Remarks
CHRISTIAN SALAZAR VOLKMANN, Director of the Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in concluding remarks, said the international community should continue to urge Nicaragua to take urgent measures displaying its commitment to human rights, and maintain support for persons who had been forced to leave the country through protection measures and humanitarian assistance. It was also important to continue to support civil society organizations operating in exile. These organizations must play an active role in coming up with actions to ensure that the Government of Nicaragua launched an inclusive national dialogue, which was an essential tool to find ways out of the current crisis. Those excluded from the political and social dialogue for various reasons, including imprisonment, must be allowed to participate as soon as possible.
The work of the Office had been approved by the Council to continue reporting, and a Group of Experts had been established for one year to bolster the accountability processes for violations committed since 2018. Cooperation would continue with the Group, as would dialogue with the authorities. Member States must continue to encourage Nicaragua to allow access and work with the Council’s mechanisms. On the situation of arbitrarily detained persons, it was vital for the authorities to guarantee their physical and mental integrity, and allow family and legal visits. The restoration of legal and political rights could wait no longer. The Office remained ready to provide technical assistance to the Government in implementing the recommendations and ensuring developments in line with international standards.
General Debate on the Oral Update of the High Commissioner
Nada Al-Nashif, Acting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, presented the oral update of the High Commissioner on global human rights developments and the activities of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on Monday, 12 September and a summary can be found here.
General Debate
In the general debate, many speakers congratulated the new High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, on his appointment and praised the outgoing High Commissioner, Michelle Bachelet on her work. Many challenges remained to be addressed to ensure respect for human rights, both civil and political rights and economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development, across the world. The harmful effects of the pandemic, as well as climate change prevented many groups, including women and girls, the elderly, refugees, and migrants from fundamentally enjoying their human rights, and the international community should bolster cooperation and international solidarity through dialogue to find solutions to current and future challenges, whilst respecting objectivity and non-selectivity.
The expectations of the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights were very high, some speakers said, and it had to uphold in its activities the Charter of the United Nations, respecting the integrity of States, whilst remaining impartial. The Office of the High Commissioner was urged to respect objectivity and dialogue, which was lacking in the United Nations human rights machinery.
Mutual respect and trust were critical elements of the protection and promotion of human rights. Joint meetings and fora were a means of ensuring global protection of human rights at many levels, promoting tolerance and cooperation. Funding for the Office of the High Commissioner should be increased through greater donations.
The repercussions of the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine on global food security was a further matter of concern, with speakers saying that the food and fuel crises were affecting all, in particular the most vulnerable.
Some speakers commended the report of the Office of the High Commissioner on the situation in Xinjiang, China, while others said it was based on erroneous information, reached incorrect conclusions, and exacerbated the trend of politicisation of the Council.
Speakers raised the situation of human rights in various countries and regions. Unilateral coercive measures and economic blockades were condemned. Numerous concerns regarding violations of freedom of expression, civil society space, activities of human rights defenders, arbitrary arrests, and enforced disappearances were raised.
The COVID-19 pandemic had had an impact on the enjoyment of human rights across the world, and the Office of the High Commissioner should help all countries, including developing countries to emerge from its shadow and achieve economic and social development, with the consent of the countries concerned, in particular with regard to capacity building.
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HRC22.081E