HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL CONCLUDES TWENTY-SECOND SESSION AFTER ADOPTING 39 TEXTS

The Human Rights Council concluded its twenty-second regular session this afternoon after adopting two decisions, two Presidential statements, and 35 resolutions on a wide range of issues. In its resolutions, among others, the Council established a Commission of Inquiry on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and decided to appoint an Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali. The Council also renewed the mandates of a number of Special Procedures, including the mandates of the Special Rapporteurs on countering terrorism, on the right to food, on freedom of religion or belief, and on the situations of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, in Myanmar, in Iran and in Syria; and of the Independent Expert on Haiti. The Council also adopted the final outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of 14 countries and appointed two new members of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Concerning human rights situations requiring the Council’s attention, the Council extended the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and established a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the systematic, widespread and grave violations of human rights, as outlined in paragraph 21 of the Special Rapporteur’s recent report, with a view to ensuring full accountability. The Council also extended the mandate of the independent international Commission of Inquiry on Syria and requested the Commission to continue its work and to present written reports on the situation of human rights in the Syria at interactive dialogues during the twenty-third and twenty-fourth sessions of the Council.

The Council extended for one year the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, and invited him to include in his next report recommendations with regard to technical assistance and capacity-building. The Council also extended the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran for a period of one year, and requested the Special Rapporteur to submit reports on the implementation of his mandate to the Council at its twenty-fifth session and to the General Assembly at its sixty-eight session. The Council also decided to extend the mandate of the Independent Expert on Haiti and encouraged the Independent Expert to work with international institutions, donors and the international community in order to lend their expertise and resources to the efforts of Haitian authorities in the country's reconstruction.

In relation to other Special Procedure mandate holders, during its twentieth-second session, the Council decided to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, for a period of three years, and requested the Special Rapporteur to continue to monitor the evolution of the world food crisis and to keep the Council informed of the impact of the crisis on the enjoyment of the right to food. The Council expressed deep concern at emerging obstacles to the enjoyment of the right to freedom of religion or belief and extended the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief for a further period of three years. The Council decided to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteurs on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism for a period of three years.

The Council decided to extend the mandate of the Open-ended intergovernmental working group to consider the possibility of elaborating an international regulatory framework on the regulation, monitoring and oversight of the activities of private military and security companies for a further two year period and decided that the Working Group shall present its recommendations to the Council at its thirtieth-session; and decides that the members of the Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the rights of peoples to self-determination shall participate as resource persons. The Council also decided to extend the mandate of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action for a period of three years.

Concerning assistance to Mali in the field of human rights, the Council decided to establish a one-year mandate for an Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali with a view to assisting the Government of Mali in its efforts to promote and protect human rights. Regarding the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, the Council also called upon the Government to conduct an independent investigation into allegations of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

The Council requested the Joint Inspection Unit to undertake a comprehensive follow-up review of the management and administration of the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights and to submit a report to the Council at its twenty-seventh session. The Council also requested the High Commissioner to submit a comprehensive and updated report to the Council at its twenty-seventh session.

Other texts dealt with the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights; the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities; the realization of economic, social and cultural rights; the situation of human rights defenders; and birth registration and the right of everyone to recognition as a person before the law. The Council also adopted texts on peaceful protests; human rights of children of parents sentenced to the death penalty or executed; negative impact of the non-repatriation of funds of illicit origin on the enjoyment of human rights; on a high-level panel discussion on “the question of the death penalty”; on the contribution of Parliaments to the work of the Human Rights Council and its Universal Periodic Review; on human rights in post-disaster/post-conflict situations; human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan; and on technical assistance to Libya.

The Council also adopted texts regarding the rehabilitation of torture victims; the prevention of genocide; the follow-up to the report of the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict; on the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health; on the human rights situation in Palestine and Other Occupied Arab Territories; on the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action; on combating intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatization of, and discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against, persons based on religion or belief; and on education as a tool to prevent racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

The Council adopted a decision on the Council’s webcast, recommending the General Assembly to consider ways to ensure sustainable live webcasting and subsequent storage of Council meetings held in the framework of the sessions of the Human Rights Council and the Universal Periodic Review Working Group.

The President of the Council appointed two new members of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Mr. Albert Deterville from Saint Lucia for the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States and Mr. Alexey Tsykarev from the Russian Federation, for the Eastern European Group.

In concluding remarks, Remigiuscz A. Henczel, President of the Human Rights Council, said that he continued to encourage all those who participated in the Council’s work to discuss all issues with appropriate levels of dignity and respect. Tolerance and respect for others’ views had to remain the principles for future discussions. As stressed on a number of occasions, any acts of intimation or reprisals against individuals and groups that did or had cooperated with the United Nations were unacceptable and had to end.

Documentation, statements, resolutions and reports relating to this and all Human Rights Council sessions are available on its webpage. Detailed, speaker-by-speaker coverage of every public meeting can be found on the website of United Nations Information Service Geneva. The twenty-second session was held from 25 February to 22 March 2013. The twenty-third regular session of the Human Rights Council will be held from 27 May to 14 June 2013.

Summary of the Programme of Work

The Council opened its session with a high-level segment from 25 to 28 February which saw 88 dignitaries speak about national efforts to promote and protect human rights and international human rights situations of concern. This was followed by an interactive dialogue with Navi Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Interactive dialogues were also held with the Special Procedures on the right to food, adequate housing, torture, human rights defenders, arbitrary detention, human rights and counter-terrorism, enforced disappearances, freedom of religion or belief, human rights and the environment, human rights and foreign debt, the sale of children, private military and security companies and minorities. The Council also heard the presentation of reports from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on violence against children and from the Fact Finding Mission on Israeli settlements.

Interactive dialogues were also held under the agenda item on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention with experts on Syria, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Myanmar and Iran, and under the agenda item on technical assistance and cooperation with experts on Côte d’Ivoire and Haiti.

A high-level panel on the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action was held on the first day, and a panel was held during the session on human rights mainstreaming on 1 March, which included an address by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The annual discussion with human rights and persons with disability was held, as was the annual full-day meeting on the rights of the child, a panel on the impact of corruption on human rights and a annual thematic discussion on technical cooperation.

During the third week of the session, the Council adopted the final outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of Czech Republic, Argentina, Gabon, Ghana, Ukraine, Guatemala, Benin, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Pakistan, Zambia, Japan, Peru and Sri Lanka. This was followed by a general debate on the Universal Periodic Review. General debates were also held on all the agenda items of the Council.

Action on Decision Under Agenda Item 1 on Organizational and Procedural Matters

In a decision (A/HRC/22/L.32) submitted by the President on the Human Rights Council’s webcast, the Council recommends that the General Assembly considers ways to ensure sustainable live webcasting and subsequent storage of Council meetings held in the framework of the sessions of the Human Rights Council and the Universal Periodic Review Working Group.

In a presidential statement (A/HRC/22/L.56) regarding Mainstreaming human rights throughout the United Nations system, the Council acknowledges that peace and security, development and human rights are the pillars of the United Nations system, and welcomes the high-level panel discussion on mainstreaming human rights throughout the United Nations system held at its twenty-second session.

Action on Resolutions Under Agenda Item 2 on the Annual Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.1/Rev1) on promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka, the Council calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to conduct an independent and credible investigation into allegations of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, as applicable; and requests the High Commissioner to present an oral update to the Council at its twenty-fourth session, and a comprehensive report followed by a discussion at the twenty-fifth session, on the implementation of the present resolution.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.17) regarding the composition of staff of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Council requests the Joint Inspection Unit to undertake a comprehensive follow-up review of the management and administration of the Office and to submit a report containing concrete proposals for the implementation of the present resolution to the Council at its twenty-seventh session. The Council also requests the High Commissioner to submit a comprehensive and updated report to the Council at its twenty-seventh session.


Action on Resolutions Under Agenda Item 3 on the Promotion and Protection of All Human Rights

In a decision (A/HRC/22/L.2) regarding the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights, the Council acknowledges the holding of the seminar on the enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights on 15 February 2013 organized by the High Commissioner as requested by the Human Rights Council resolution 19/33 of 23 March 2012, and decides to examine this question at its twenty-third session under the same agenda item.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.4) regarding the work and employment of persons with disabilities, the Council decides that its next annual interactive debate on the rights of persons with disabilities will be held at its twenty-fifth session, and that it will focus on the right of persons with disabilities to education. The Council requests the Office of the High Commissioner to prepare a study on the right of persons with disabilities to education, made available on the website of the Office of the High Commissioner prior to the twenty-fifth session of the Council.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.7) regarding the rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, the Council urges States to undertake initiatives to ensure that persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities are aware of and able to exercise their rights. The Council requests the High Commissioner to present an annual report containing information on relevant developments of United Nations human rights bodies and mechanisms.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.8) on the question of the realization in all countries of economic, social and cultural rights, the Council encourages States parties to make maximum use of the framework of the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to pursue further substantive gender equality. The Council requests the Secretary-General to continue to prepare and submit to the Council an annual report on the question of the realization in all countries of economic, social and cultural rights, with a special focus on access to justice relating to violations of economic, social and cultural rights.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.13) regarding protecting human rights defenders, the Council urges States to create a safe and enabling environment in which human rights defenders can operate free from hindrance and insecurity. The Council calls upon States to ensure that legislation designed to guarantee public safety and public order contains clearly defined provisions consistent with international human rights law. The Council urges States to acknowledge publicly the important and legitimate role of human rights defenders in the promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, as an essential component of ensuring their protection.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.14/Rev.1) regarding birth registration and the right of everyone to recognition everywhere as a person before the law, the Council expresses concern at the high number of persons throughout the world whose birth is not registered and urges States to identify and remove barriers that impede access to registration. The Council requests the Office of the High Commissioner to prepare a report on legal, administrative, economic, physical, and any other barriers to access to universal birth registration and possession of documentary proof of birth, to be submitted to the Council at its 27^th session.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.15) regarding protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism: mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, the Council decides to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism for a period of three years in the same terms as provided for by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 15/15. The Council requests the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights to provide all the necessary assistance to the Special Rapporteur for the effective fulfilment of his/her mandate.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.16) regarding the right to food, the Council reaffirms that hunger constitutes an outrage and a violation of human dignity and therefore requires the adoption of urgent measures. The Council decides to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the right to food for a period of three years and requests the Special Rapporteur to continue to monitor the evolution of the world food crisis and to keep the Council informed of the impact of the crisis on the enjoyment of the right to food. The Council also requests the Special Rapporteur to submit a report on the implementation of the present resolution to the Council at its twenty-fifth session.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.10) regarding the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protests, the Council calls upon States to avoid using force during peaceful protests and to ensure that, where force is absolutely necessary, no one is subject to excessive or indiscriminate use of force. The Council requests the Office of the High Commissioner to organize, before the twenty-fifth session of the Council, a seminar on effective measures and best practices to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protests, to prepare a report on the seminar and to submit it to the Council at its twenty-fifth session.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.18) regarding a panel on the human rights of children of parents sentenced to the death penalty or executed, the Council decides to convene, at its twenty-fourth session, a panel discussion on the human rights of children of parents sentenced to the death penalty or executed. The Council requests the Office of the High Commissioner to organize the panel discussion, to prepare a report on the outcome of the panel and to present it to the Council at its twenty-fifth session.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.24) regarding the negative impact of the non-repatriation of funds of illicit origin to the countries of origin on the enjoyment of human rights, and the importance of improving international cooperation, as orally revised, the Council requests the Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of all human rights to continue his efforts in preparing an in-depth study on the negative impact of the non-repatriation of funds of illicit origins on the application by States of the maximum available resources to the full realization of all human rights.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.28) regarding a high-level panel discussion on “the question of the death penalty”, the Council decides to convene, at its twenty-fifth session, a high-level panel discussion on “the question of the death penalty” with the aim of exchanging views on advances, best practices and challenges relating to the abolition of the death penalty. The Council requests the Office of the High Commissioner to organize the panel discussion and to prepare a report on the panel discussion in the form of a summary.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.9) regarding freedom of religion or belief, the Council expresses deep concern at emerging obstacles to the enjoyment of the right to freedom of religion or belief and condemns all forms of violence, intolerance and discrimination based on or in the name of religion or belief, and violations of the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. The Council decides to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief for a further period of three years and requests the Special Rapporteur to report annually to the Council and the General Assembly.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.11/Rev.1) regarding torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment: rehabilitation of torture victims, the Council condemns all forms of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and calls upon all States to implement fully the absolute prohibition. The Council emphasizes that States must take persistent, determined and effective measures to prevent and combat all acts of torture; and requests the Office of the High Commissioner to provide advisory services in cooperation with other relevant United Nations agencies to States on the provision of redress to victims.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.30) regarding the prevention of genocide, the Council requests the High Commissioner to organize, within existing resources, a high-level panel dedicated to the sixty-fifth anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide within the twenty-fifth session of the Council and invites the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide to an interactive dialogue, dedicated to the sixty-fifth anniversary of the Convention within the twenty-fifth session of the Council.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.27/Rev.1) on the rights of the child: the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, the Council requests the High Commissioner to prepare a summary of the full-day meeting on the rights of the child before the twenty-third session of the Council. The Council decides to focus its next full-day meeting on access to justice for children; and invites the Office of the High Commissioner to prepare a report on that issue, to present it to the Council at its twenty-fifth session, and to circulate a summary report of the next full-day meeting on the rights of the child.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.29) regarding the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group to consider the possibility of elaborating an international regulatory framework on the regulation, monitoring and oversight of the activities of private military and security companies, the Council decides to extend the mandate of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group for a further two year period and that the Working Group shall present its recommendations to the Council at its thirtieth-session; and decides that the members of the Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the rights of peoples to self-determination shall participate as resource persons.


Action on Resolutions Under the Agenda Item 4 on Human Rights Situations that Require the Council’s Attention

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.19) regarding the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Council decides to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and to establish a Commission of Inquiry to investigate violations of human rights, as outlined in paragraph 21 of the Special Rapporteur’s recent report. The Council requests the Commission of Inquiry to present an oral update to the Council at its twenty-fourth session and to the General Assembly at its sixty-eight session, and a written report to the Council at its twenty-fifth session.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.20/Rev.1) regarding the situation of human rights in Myanmar, the Council decides to extend for one year the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. The Council calls upon the Government to continue its cooperation with the Special Rapporteur. The Council requests the Special Rapporteur to submit a progress report to the General Assembly at its sixty-eight session and to the Council in accordance with its annual programme of work.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.22) regarding the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Council decides to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran for a further period of one year, and requests the Special Rapporteur to submit reports on the implementation of his mandate to the Council, at its twenty-fifth session, and to the General Assembly, at its sixty-eight session. The Council calls upon the Government of Iran to cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur; and requests the Secretary-General to provide the Special Rapporteur with the resources necessary to fulfil the mandate.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.31/Rev.1) regarding the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic, the Council decides to extend the mandate of the independent international commission of inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since March 2011; requests the commission to continue its work and to present written reports on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic at interactive dialogues during the twenty-third and twenty-fourth sessions of the Council. The Council decides to transmit all reports and oral updates of the Commission of Inquiry to all relevant bodies of the United Nations and the Secretary-General for appropriate action and to remain seized of the matter.

Action on Draft Resolutions Under Agenda Item 5 on Human Rights Bodies and Mechanisms

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.21) regarding the contribution of Parliaments to the work of the Human Rights Council and its Universal Periodic Review, the Council decides to convene, at its twenty-third session, a panel discussion on the contribution of Parliaments to the work of the Council and its Universal Periodic Review; requests the Office of the High Commissioner to organize the panel discussion within existing resources; and also requests the Office of the High Commissioner to prepare a summary report on the outcome of the panel discussion.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.23) regarding the promotion and protection of human rights in post-disaster/post-conflict situations, the Council requests the Advisory Committee to prepare, within existing resources, a research-based report on best practices and main challenges in the promotion and protection of human rights in post-disaster/post-conflict situations. The resolution requests further the Advisory Committee to present a progress report to the Council at its twentieth-six session.


Action on Resolutions Under Agenda Item 7 on the Human Rights Situation in Palestine and Other Occupied Arab Territories

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.3) regarding human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan, the Council calls upon Israel to comply with relevant resolutions and to desist from its continuous building of settlements. The Council determines that all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken or to be taken by Israel that seek to alter the character and legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan are null and void and have no legal effect. The Council requests the Secretary-General to report on this matter to the Council at its twenty-fifth session.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.41) regarding the follow-up to the report of the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, the Council renews its recommendation to the General Assembly to remained apprised of the matter until it is satisfied that the appropriate action with regard to implementing the recommendations contained in the report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict is taken at the domestic or international level in order to ensure justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators, and to remain also ready to consider whether additional action within its powers is required in the interests of justice.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.42) regarding Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the Occupied Syrian Golan, the Council expresses its grave concern at the continuing Israeli settlement and related activities; the increasing number of newly built structures, including a large number of permanent buildings and structures; the expansion of Israeli settlements and the construction of new ones; and the Israeli operating of a tramway between West Jerusalem and the settlement of Pisgat Zeec. The Council calls upon Israel to take and implement serious measures, including the confiscation of arms and enforcement of criminal sanctions, with the aim of preventing acts of violence by Israeli settlers.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.43) regarding the right of Palestinian people to self-determination, the Council reaffirms the inalienable, permanent and unqualified right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. The Council stresses the need for respect for and preservation of the territorial unity, continuity and integrity of all of the Occupied Palestinian Territory; and urges all Member States and relevant bodies of the United Nations system to support and assist the Palestinian people in the early realization of their right to self-determination.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.44) regarding the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Including East Jerusalem, the Council demands that Israel cease all practices and actions that violate the human rights of the Palestinian people; comply fully with the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention; cease all of its settlement activities. The resolution calls upon Israel to cease its imposition of prolonged closures and economic and movement restrictions; and requests the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of the present resolution to the Council at its September session of 2013.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.45) regarding the follow-up to the report of the independent international fact-finding mission to investigate the implications of Israeli settlements on the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the Palestinian people throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, the Council requests the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises to fulfil its mandate. The Council also requests the High Commissioner to present a report detailing the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the independent international fact-finding mission to the Council at its twenty-fifth session.

Action on Resolutions Under Agenda Item 9 on Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, follow-up and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.26) regarding the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, the Council takes note of the efforts made by the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in its constructive work aimed at the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the Outcome Document of the Durban Review; and decides to extend the mandate of the Intergovernmental Working Group for a period of three years and decides to remain seized of this important issue under the relevant agenda item.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.40) on combating intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatization of, and discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against, persons based on religion or belief, the Council called upon States to adopt measures and policies to promote full respect for and protection of places of worship and religious sites, cemeteries and shrines, and to take measures in cases where they are vulnerable to vandalism or destruction. The Council also requests the High Commissioner to prepare and submit to the Council at its twenty-fifth session a report based upon information provided by States on the effects and measures taken by them for the implementation of the Action Plan.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.6/Rev.1) regarding education as a tool to prevent racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, the Council urges States to adopt and implement laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin, at all levels of education; encourages all States and other stakeholders to provide information on good practices to the Special Rapporteur and to the Office of the High Commissioner to be made publicly available on the website of the Special Rapporteur and fed into the global database containing information on practical means to address racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

Action on Resolutions Under Agenda Item 10 on Technical Assistance and Capacity-Building

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.5) regarding assistance to the Republic of Mali in the field of human rights, the Council condemns the excesses and abuses committed in the Republic of Mali and decides to establish a one-year mandate for an independent expert on the situation of human rights in Mali. The Council requests the High Commissioner to provide it with an updated report on the human rights situation in Mali for its consideration at its twenty-third session.

In a resolution (A/HRC/22/L.12) regarding technical assistance provided to Libya in the field of human rights, the Council welcomes efforts exerted by the Libyan Government in stabilizing security and urges the Government to maintain this process through arms control and reintegrating armed groups and to continue its efforts to prevent cases of arbitrary arrest and mistreatment of detainees. The Council requests the Office of the High Commissioner to prepare a written report to the twenty-fifth session of the Council regarding the technical support and capacity building needs in Libya.

In a presidential statement (A/HRC/22/L.55) regarding technical assistance and capacity building for Haiti in the field of human rights, the Council decides to extend the mandate of the Independent Expert on Haiti, for a period of one year; and encourages the Independent Expert to work with international institutions, donors and the international community in order to lend their expertise and resources to the efforts of Haitian authorities in the country's reconstruction and in favour of sustainable development. The Council also invites the Independent Expert to carry out a mission to Haiti and to present a report to the Council at its twenty-fifth session.


For use of the information media; not an official record

HRC13/049E