Conduct of participants

Everyone attending the Human Rights Council is responsible for helping to create and protect the culture of civility and respect, in which participants proactively and effectively address conduct-related issues including incidents of possible harassment, including sexual harassment in accordance with the Code of Conduct to Prevent Harassment, including Sexual Harassment, at UN System Events.

The Code of Conduct is not a legal document but aims to prevent harassment from occurring at UN system events by sharing expectations of standards of conduct in advance of an event, as well as to support victims by ensuring they are aware that harassment is not tolerated at UN system events and what steps they can take if they are harassed or witness harassment.

UNOG, OHCHR and the HRC have a policy of zero tolerance for harassment, including sexual harassment, as such conduct violates the human rights values and principles, which the HRC, as an intergovernmental body within the United Nations, upholds.

The President, and the appointed Focal Point for cases of sexual and gender-based harassment (hereby the HRC Gender Focal Point, currently H.E. Maira Mariela Macdonal Alvarez, Permanent Representative of the Plurinational State of Bolivia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva), are committed to helping prevent conduct-related incidents, as well as supporting anyone who feels they have been subject to or witness of harassment, including sexual harassment, at the HRC. It is in this spirit that, in order to operationalize the Code of Conduct, an online form has been developed to facilitate the reporting of alleged incidents of prohibited conduct. 

The HRC President and the Gender Focal Point joined the campaign that was launched in 2023 by UN Women and the Office of the President of the General Assembly (OPGA) in New York to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, encouraging staff of Permanent Missions to complete the online UN courses on gender equality and the prevention of sexual harassment. This initiative sought to promote a more equal, inclusive, and respectful working environment at the United Nations Headquarters and beyond.

Permanent Missions are therefore encouraged to Join the Pledge for a more inclusive and equal workplace at the UN, and all participants attending HRC meetings and events are invited to complete the following UN online courses (available on Inspira):

• I Know Gender: An Introduction to Gender Equality for UN
• United to Respect: Preventing Sexual Harassment and other Prohibited Conduct

We are all responsible for the culture at the Human Rights Council and for ensuring a harmonious work environment is enjoyed by all in attendance. This can only be achieved if we:  

• treat all participants in the Human Rights Council courteously, with dignity and respect 
• reflect on our own behaviour and how it may be perceived / received by others 
• respond to issues raised with us constructively
• undertake relevant training 
• speak up and be an active bystander 
• report possible incidents of harassment and sexual harassment 
• cooperate when reports are made and support investigations

If you feel you have been harassed or sexually harassed, or if you witness behaviours that do not sit right with you, then you are encouraged to report it as soon as possible so that it can be addressed.

Most people do not set out to offend others and a lot of issues arise from our differences, a lack of understanding and communication.  Therefore, one option may be to approach those who you feel are taking part in unwelcome conduct and explain the issues it causes you. However, talking to the person causing you difficulties is not always easy and you don’t have to deal with it directly if it does not feel comfortable and safe.

You can report an incident directly to the HRC Gender Focal Point either in person, or through the online reporting form that also supports anonymous reporting. The Gender Focal Point will attend to the concern and actions that may be taken could include, but are not limited to:

• Contacting the affected individual, and/or witnesses and bystanders, to understand the nature of the allegation, as needed, and, in consultation with the impacted individuals, referring the matter to the HRC President for direct intervention with the alleged offender.
• In instances where it is reported that the alleged prohibited conduct persists, despite a request from the HRC President to refrain from such conduct, the HRC Gender Focal Point, with the consent of the impacted individuals, may make a formal request to the UNOG Director General’s Office and the Chief of the UNOG Security and Safety Service to initiate a fact-finding exercise, and involving the impacted individuals and the alleged offender, in order to establish facts, for any further appropriate action, including possible referral to the offender’s employer or to the competent entity in the host country.

In instances of attempted or actual assault or sexual assault, including rape, the incident must be referred to onsite UNOG Security and Safety Service personnel for immediate intervention.

Anonymous reports

Information received from anonymous sources will be assessed and may lead to an investigation. However, anonymous allegations are often more difficult to pursue as there may be no way to clarify the information provided or to ask questions. If you choose to remain anonymous, please provide as much detail as possible and also consider providing a means to contact you if further information or clarification is needed - for example, consider providing a free web-based e-mail address (e.g. Outlook or Gmail) with an assumed name or alias that will allow you to retain your anonymity.

Confidentiality

The HRC Gender Focal Point, and associated parties, protects the confidentiality of those who make reports in good faith, whether the complaint is substantiated or otherwise.

Prohibition of retaliation

Threats, intimidation or any other form of retaliation against a participant, who has submitted a report or provided information in support of an alleged incident, are prohibited. The UN system or other entity responsible for a UN system event will take any appropriate action needed to prevent and respond to retaliation, in accordance with its applicable policy, regulations and rules.

Support

Participants can also seek support from the “Speak Up” helpline for anonymous and confidential advice about possible sexual harassment. The helpline can be reached at +1-917-367-8910 (or email speakup@un.org ).

Malicious reporting

Reports of harassment or sexual harassment made with knowledge of their falsity or with wilful disregard of their truth or falsity shall constitute a conduct issue, which may trigger further action against the person making the malicious report.