Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada participated in the 57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council held from 9 September to 11 October 2024. LRWC gave eight statements, several of which were joined or endorsed by other NGOs. In addition, LRWC joined four statements delivered by other NGOs.
Afghanistan, 9 September 2024: Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on Afghanistan. LRWC’s statement was joined by the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI). See the text on the UN website. See the text on the LRWC website. See the video on UN WebTV: at 00.32 The Council adopted a resolution for renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur. It was adopted by consensus (without a vote). See the resolution at A/HRC/57/L.24. The resolution fell short of establishing an Independent Investigative Mechanism despite concerted advocacy by NGOs (see paragraph 10 of the resolution.)
Myanmar, 9 September 2024: Interactive Dialogue on the report of the Independent Investigative Mechanism (IIMM) for Myanmar. The statement was joined by IBAHRI. See the text on the UN website. See the text on the LRWC website. See the video at UN WebTV: at 1:47:57. The full debate starts at 1:00:12. See more on the work of the IIMM.
Sudan, 11 September 2024: General Debate (Sudan). LRWC joined a statement by Lawyers for Lawyers, also joined by the IBAHRI. See the text. The Council voted to adopt Resolution A/HRC/57/L.22 extending the mandate of the independent international fact-finding mission for Sudan for another year. Vote: 23-12-12.
Belarus, 23 September 2024: Interactive Dialogue on the oral update of the Group of Independent experts on Belarus. LRWC joined a statement by International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institution. It was also joined by the Belarusian Association of Human Rights Lawyers, the International Commission of Jurists, The Law Society of England and Wales, and Lawyers for Lawyers. See the text. Belarus has an Independent Group of Experts established at the 55th session. See more on the work of the Group of Experts.
Russian Federation, 23 September 2024: Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the Russian Federation. LRWC’s statement was joined by the IBAHRI and endorsed by OVD-Info and Memorial. See the text on the UN website. See the text on the LRWC website. See the video at UN WebTV at 45:50. See the full debate, starting at 2:07:40. The Council voted to adopt a resolution to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for Russia. Vote: 20 yes, 19 abstained, 8 no. See the resolution.
Indigenous peoples. LRWC was unable to obtain a viable speaking slot to address concerns about the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Several of LRWC’s statements mentioned concerns about the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Myanmar, 24 September 2024: Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s report on Myanmar. LRWC’s statement was joined by IBAHRI. See the text on the UN website. See the text on the LRWC website. See the video at UN WebTV at 1:41:20. The full debate begins at 39:10.
Afghanistan, 26 September 2024: Universal Periodic Review Adoption: Afghanistan. LRWC’s statement was joined by IBAHRI. See the text on the UN website. See the text on the LRWC website. See the video at UN WebTV at 2:15:24. The full debate starts at 1:47:35. See the full UN UPR documentation.
Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), 2 October 2024, General Debate on the OPT. Text: not available on UN website; see it on LRWC’s website. See the video at UN WebTV at 2:50:21. There is a Special Rapporteur on the OPT and an ongoing Independent International Commission of Inquiry, neither of whom reported at the 57th session. There is always a general debate on the OPT at the under Section 7.
Cambodia, 7 October 2024: Item 10: Interactive Dialogue with SR on Cambodia. LRWC’s statement was joined by the IBAHRI and the International Commission of Jurists. See the text on the UN Website. See the text on the LRWC website. See the video on UN WebTV at 59:19.
Universal ratification of the Convention on enforced disappearances, 9 October 2024. General Debate. LRWC’s statement was joined by Peacemakers Trust. See the text on the UN website. See the text on the LRWC website. See the video on UN WebTV at 1:59:39.
