Arabic versionExplanatory Note This is an Explanatory Note to the Special Envoy’s Paper on Points of Commonalities. It sets out what the official purpose is of the paper. During the course of talks the Special Envoy noted that certain commonalities existed between the two sides in relation to their…

The Human Rights Council concluded its thirty-first regular session this evening after adopting 40 texts – 37 resolutions, two decisions and one Presidential Statement – on a wide range of issues, as well as its report for the session. The Council also adopted the outcome of the Universal Periodic…

The Human Rights Council this afternoon adopted six resolutions, including on protecting human rights defenders addressing economic, social and cultural rights; on the protection of human rights in the context of peaceful protests; and four under the agenda item relating to the human rights…

The Human Rights Council this morning held separate interactive dialogues with Gustavo Gallón, Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti, and with Suliman Baldo, Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali. It also concluded its interactive dialogue on the…

The Geneva International Discussions have just concluded their 35th round. During the meeting, the participants reached an important agreement on the resumption of the work of the Gali / Gal Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM). At the same time, they appreciated the intense work going…

The Human Rights Council today heard the presentation of country reports on Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Cyprus and Iran under the agenda item on reports by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Secretary-General, followed by a general debate. It then heard…

The Human Rights Council this evening adopted 22 texts, establishing a Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan; extending mandates on human rights and countering terrorism, freedom of religion or belief, Syria, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Iran; and setting up future commemorations…

The Conference on Disarmament this morning held its first plenary meeting under the Presidency of Pakistan. Ambassador Tehmina Janjua of Pakistan, incoming President of the Conference, stated that the state of play in the Conference was a reflection of the prevailing strategic realities. The…

The Human Rights Committee this morning continued its discussion on a draft General Comment on Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, on the right to life. In particular, Experts concluded their discussions on paragraphs 6, 6a and 7 of the Draft General Comment, and…

Ahmad Fawzi, Director a.i., United Nations Information Service in Geneva, and Rhéal LeBlanc, Chief, Press and External Relations Section, chaired the briefing attended by spokespersons of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Mine Action Service, the World Food…