Media outlets can request permanent or temporary press accreditation for their correspondents to cover the range of activities taking place at the United Nations Office at Geneva, from meetings of the Human Rights Council and peace talks to other major conferences and events.
Accredited correspondents participate in bi-weekly press briefings chaired by the UN Geneva spokesperson and attended by the spokespeople of UN specialized agencies and programmes based in Geneva. Correspondents also have access to scheduled press conferences, stakeouts and background briefings on an almost daily basis.
The UN Information Service regularly issues press releases and the meeting summaries of major meetings happening in Geneva, including the sessions of the Human Rights Council, the human rights committees, and the Conference on Disarmament.
Facilities for the media include free or rented workspaces and access to radio and television studios and services, upon availability.
OHCHR Press Conference (Freedom of religion or belief)
The mutual reinforcement of the rights to freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression is highly relevant when combating intolerance, stereotyping, discrimination and incitement to violence based on religion or belief. Against the misperception that these two rights stand in opposition to each other, the Special Rapporteur explores practical synergies between the two rights and will present his report to the 31st Human Rights Council. The expert will also refer to his reports on his 2015 missions to Lebanon and Bangladesh.
Mr. Heiner Bielefeldt, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
Press Stakeout by the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Syria
International Syria Support Group's Humanitarian Access Task Force update
Mr. Staffan de Mistura, United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Mr. Jan Egeland, Special Advisor to the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Mr. Yacoub El Hillo, UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative for the Syrian Arab Republic
Briefing on Zika virus product research – research priorities and product pipeline.
Dr Marie-Paule Kieny, WHO Assistant Director-General, Health Systems and Innovation
OHCHR Press Conference (Special Rapporteur on Torture
“Women, girls, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (LGBTI) are disproportionately subjected to torture and other ill-treatment, both in penal and non-penal settings. Discrimination and stigmatization of these groups foster intolerance, hate crimes, police abuse, community violence, and encourage impunity” – The Special Rapporteur on torture will share with the media his report on gender perspectives on torture.
The expert will also make reference to his 2015 country visits to Georgia and Brazil and his follow-up visit to Ghana. Mr. Juan Méndez, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
OHCHR Press Conference (UN Special Rapporteur on cultural rights)
On the occasion of the presentation of her first report to the Human Rights Council, the new Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights will discuss the intentional destruction of cultural heritage as a violation of human rights, a topic deserving utmost priority. How do such destructions impact human rights? One aspect of that question can be tackled by unveiling the links between attacks on tangible and intangible cultural heritage; a human rights approach assists in making these connections.
Ms. Karima Bennoune, Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights
On the occasion of International Women’s Day the Special Rapporteur on the right to food will discuss her annual report to the Human Rights Council which explores the structural, cultural, legal, economic and ecological barriers that women face in their fulfillment of the right to food: “by increasing women’s access to and control over assets, important human development outcomes can be reaped, including household food security, child nutrition, education and women’s well-being and status within the home and community.”
Ms. Hilal Elver, Special Rapporteur on the right to food
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an emergency appeal in response to the Zika virus disease.
This Global Emergency Appeal seeks a total of 9.27 million Swiss francs to enable the IFRC to support National Societies world-wide to scale-up the response to the Zika virus disease, delivering assistance to one million people for 12 months, with a focus on 10 priority intervention areas, including health emergency risk management, preparedness, vector control, community based surveillance, community engagement and psychosocial support. Julie Lyn Hall, Head of Health
Launch of new report Women at Work: Trends 2016
Shauna Olney, Chief of the ILO’s Gender, Equality and Diversity Branch Lawrence J. Johnson, Deputy Director, ILO Research Department
UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW): Concluding observations on Japan, Iceland, Sweden, Mongolia, Czech Republic, Vanuatu, Tanzania
Dalia Leinarte Ismat Jahan
WHO update on global response to microcephaly, neurological disorders and Zika virus
Dr Bruce Aylward, Executive Director, Outbreaks and Health Emergencies (ai), WHO