Address by Ms. Flavia Pansieri, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights at the 27th session of the Human Rights Council, Introduction to thematic reports of the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner under items 2, 3, 5, 8 and 10

Geneva, 12 September 2014

Salle XX, Palais des Nations

Mr. President, Members of the Human Rights Council, 
Excellences, Ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to introduce to the present session of the Council several thematic reports prepared by the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner which fall under agenda items 2 and 3, 5, 8 and 10.

Under agenda items 2 (Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary General) and 3 (Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development), let me start with the report on the expert workshop to prepare concise technical guidance on the application of a human rights-based approach to the implementation of policies and programmes to reduce and eliminate preventable mortality and morbidity of children under 5 years of age (A/HRC/27/31). The Technical Guidance before you stresses that in spite of significant progress made in recent years, under-five mortality and morbidity still remain unacceptable high. Every year, around 6.6 million children die before their fifth birthday. More than half of these deaths are preventable. Patterns of child mortality and morbidity reveal significant and persisting inequalities between and within countries, driven by poverty, social exclusion, discrimination and neglect of basic human rights. The aim of the technical guidance is to assist States and non-State actors to address mortality and morbidity of children under 5 years of age in accordance with human rights standards. It outlines the key elements of a human rights-based approach to reducing child mortality and morbidity, provides guidance for operationalizing such an approach, and includes an illustrative example of how it can be applied.

Moving now to the report on report on legal, administrative, economic, physical and any other barriers to access to universal birth registration and possession of documentary proof of birth, as well as on related good practices (A/HRC/27/22). It provides an overview of the global rates on birth registration and stresses that birth registration is a universal human right recognized in a number of international instruments. It analyses the consequences and impact of non-registration on human rights, such as the right to health and the right to education. The report also analyses the barriers to access birth registration, provides examples of good practice and makes a number of recommendations to ensure the universal implementation of this right.

The next report before you deals with the right to development (A/HRC/27/27). It describes the activities and initiatives undertaken by OHCHR to promote and protect the right to development, which have contributed to growing engagement by educational institutions, non-governmental organizations and youth groups with this issue. The report advocates that the right to development should be central to the post-2015 development agenda.

You also have before you the report on capital punishment and the implementation of safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty (A/HRC/27/23). It confirms that the trend towards the universal abolition of the death penalty is continuing, with some 160 States having abolished or introduced a moratorium on the death penalty either in law or in practice, or having suspended executions. However, numerous concerns remain with regard to the lack of respect for international human rights norms and standards in States that still impose the death penalty. The report also discusses the on-going difficulties in gaining access to reliable information regarding executions and includes information on the human rights of children of parents sentenced to the death penalty or executed.

Moving now to the analytical study focusing on gender-based and sexual violence in relation to transitional justice (A/HRC/27/21). It describes the participatory procedures necessary to address the different needs and opportunities of women, men, girls and boys, as well as good practices with regard to national consultations, truth-seeking, criminal justice, reparations and institutional reform. While there has been notable progress, more efforts are clearly needed to ensure that transitional justice processes address the full spectrum of gender-based and sexual violence. Various bodies and institutions may gain new ideas from the approaches, sometimes novel, outlined in the study.

The next report is the study on factors that impede equal political participation and on steps to overcome those challenges (A/HRC/27/29). It describes how prevent the full, effective and equal enjoyment of the rights to participate in political and public affairs may be prevented by discrimination against women, indigenous peoples, minorities, persons with disabilities, human rights defenders and other marginalized groups. The study identifies some of the major barriers to equal participation and recommends how to overcome these barriers, such as adopting temporary special measures for underrepresented groups; using new technologies; and developing education and outreach campaigns on political participation.

You also have before you the report on the application of the technical guidance on a human rights-based approach to the implementation of policies and programmes to reduce preventable maternal mortality and morbidity(A/HRC/27/20). Welcomed in 2012 by this Council, the technical guidance has been utilized by a wide variety of stakeholders at local, national, regional and international levels, impacting policy discussions, advocacy strategies, training initiatives and tool development. The uptake of the technical guidance in this relatively short period gives hope that, with more time and enhanced support, there are considerable possibilities for expanding the use of a rights based approach to maternal mortality and morbidity, with the aim of full realization of sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Next is the report on the rights of indigenous peoples (A/HRC/27/30). It contains information on relevant developments with regard to human rights bodies and mechanisms insofar as their work pertains to indigenous peoples. The report outlines the activities undertaken over the past year by OHCHR on this priority issue at country, regional and headquarters levels. It recognises that the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples has provided a key reference and framework for action, from capacity-building and technical assistance initiatives to advice for enhancing the participation of indigenous peoples in decision-making at both the international and national levels.

Let me now introduce the report on the plan of action for the third phase of the World Programme for Human Rights Education (2015-2019) (A/HRC/27/28). It describes the plan of action, which proposes a strategy for the third phase of the World Programme. This focuses on strengthening implementation of the first two phases and on promoting human rights training for media professionals and journalists. Replies from States, relevant intergovernmental organizations, national human rights institutions and civil society have been taken into consideration in the finalization of the document.

The next report is OHCHR’s report on the workshop on the impact of the application of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights by the affected populations, in particular their socioeconomic impact on women and children, in the States targeted (A/HRC/27/32). It summarizes the workshop that was held on 23 May 2014 in Geneva. Participants in the workshop examined the vast and complex web of unilateral coercive measures, considering their impacts on women and children, international humanitarian and human rights law, on the economy, on peace and security and on the social fabric of States.

Next is the report (A/HRC/27/18) on the composition of the staff of OHCHR. It gives an overview of the professional and higher category staff members at 31 December 2013, according to their recruitment status, their nationality, grade and sex. It also highlights the successful results of continuing efforts to expand the geographical diversity of the Office.

Let me also take this opportunity to introduce the thematic reports that will be considered later during this session, under agenda items 5, 8 and 10. Here, I first wish to draw your attention to the report on alleged reprisals and how to address the issue of intimidation and reprisals against those who seek to cooperate, cooperate or have cooperated with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms (A/HRC/27/38), which will be considered under agenda item 5.  As in previous years, the report contains information on new alleged cases and follow-up information regarding previously mentioned incidents. The report also highlights how various actors within the UN and at the regional level have reacted to intimidation and reprisals. While such responses are welcome, the Secretary-General continues to stress the acute need for more concerted action on this issue at all levels. Regrettably, the issue of intimidation and reprisals remains of great concern and undermine the functioning of the UN as a whole, including that of its human rights mechanisms.

You also have before you two reports of the Secretary-General on national human rights institutions, which will be considered under agenda item 8. The first one, the report on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (A/HRC/27/39), presents activities carried out by OHCHR between April 2013 and August 2014 to support the establishment of national human rights institutions in 10 States and territories, and the strengthening of such institutions in 47 other States and territories. The report also describes OHCHR assistance to the International Coordinating Committee of national human rights institutions and its regional networks.

The second is the report on activities of the International Coordinating Committee of national human rights institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights in accrediting national institutions in compliance with the Paris Principles (A/HRC/27/40). It outlines the activities of the Sub-committee on Accreditation, in particular its two 2013 sessions and its first session in 2014. 106 national human rights institutions are now accredited, of which 71 have been granted A status.

Under agenda item 10, you will have before you the report on technical assistance and capacity-building options for integrating human rights into national policies (A/HRC/27/41). It presents a selection of 20 good practices, carried out in all regions, under the 2012-2013 OHCHR technical cooperation programme, that have yielded positive results in supporting States’ efforts to align national policies, strategies and legislation with international human rights norms and recommendations. Five main areas are in focus:

• legislative, policy and institutional reforms in compliance with international human rights standards;
• follow-up to the work of the international human rights mechanisms; establishment and strengthening of accountability mechanisms, including in the context of transitional justice;
• promoting access to justice and basic services for people facing discrimination;
• fostering inclusive participation in decision-making and in the development and monitoring of public policies.  

The examples documented in the report highlight the importance of dialogue and partnerships with governments and other counterparts - national human rights institutions, civil society organisations, regional organisations and other United Nations entities – and the importance of a methodology that promotes national ownership.

Let me finally also briefly mention the report on the protection and promotion of the right to privacy in the context of domestic and extraterritorial surveillance and/or the interception of digital communications and the collection of personal data, including on a mass scale (A/HRC/27/37). This report [was discussed] at this morning’s panel debate, so here let me only draw your attention to its proposal for further in-depth study on specific challenges to the implementation of the right to privacy in the digital age.

Before concluding, let me also mention that you have 8 additional reports before you, which summarize the panels held at this Council on the following topics: Genocide (A/HRC/27/24); access to justice for children (A/HRC/27/25); the death penalty (A/HRC/27/26); child, early and forced marriage (A/HRC/27/34); the safety of journalists (A/HRC/27/35); female genital mutilation (A/HRC/27/36); women’s human rights (A/HRC/27/73) and civil society space (A/HRC/27/33).

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This concludes my introduction of thematic reports under items 2, 3, 5, 8 and 10. Thank you for your attention.
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