The Human Rights Council this afternoon held a panel discussion on preventing and eliminating child, early and forced marriage. Flavia Pansieri, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, opening the discussion, said that the existing abusive practices could not be characterised as “marriages”. If…

Corinne Momal-Vanian, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired the briefing, which was also attended by Spokespersons for the Human Rights Council, International Organization for Migration, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, Office of the High…

The Human Rights Council this morning adopted the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of Vanuatu, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Comoros, and Slovakia. Jenny Tevi, Senior Desk Officer, Treaties and Conventions Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation…

The Human Rights Council in its midday meeting today adopted the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of Eritrea, Cyprus, the Dominican Republic and Viet Nam. Tesfamicael Gerahtu, Ambassador of Eritrea to the United Kingdom, said that the decision to ratify a number of international…

The Human Rights Council this afternoon continued its general debate on human rights situations requiring the Council’s attention. In the general debate, speakers raised allegations of human rights violations in countries and regions around the world and reiterated the Council’s responsibility to…

The Human Rights Council this morning adopted the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of New Zealand, Afghanistan and Chile. Amanda Ellis, Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said that the Universal Periodic Review had allowed it to take stock of…

The Human Rights Council during its midday meeting today held general debates on thematic reports by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, her Office and the Secretary-General; on the promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including…

The Human Rights Council this afternoon adopted the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of Uruguay and Yemen. Ricardo Gonzalez, Director-General of Political Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, believed the Universal Periodic Review was probably the most significant step forward…

Concludes Interactive Dialogue with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria The Human Rights Council this morning held an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, Sheila B. Keetharuth. The Council also concluded its…

The Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions gave a press conference this afternoon at the end of the twenty-eighth round of the Discussions. HERBERT SALBER, European Union Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia, said that Geneva International Discussions…