rights

UN rights committee completes session on compliance with landmark treaty

31 March 2006
The United Nations panel of experts that monitors the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights today wrapped up its eighty-sixth session, after examining compliance reports submitted by Norway, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.
Assembly President Jan Eliasson

General Assembly President takes stock of UN reform progress

27 March 2006
Following the hard-won creation of a new more effective Human Rights Council, the next priorities for the 60th Session of the United Nations General Assembly include reform of UN management, the Secretariat, and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), according to the Assembly President.
Louise Arbour

Human Rights Commission concludes its work, hands over to new Council

27 March 2006
The much-criticized United Nations Human Rights Commission ended its last meeting today after adopting a resolution to transfer all its work to the recently created and stronger Human Rights Council, which is scheduled to hold its first meeting on 19 June in Geneva after the U.N. General Assembly votes on its members in May.

Replaced by stronger body, UN rights commission formally told to close shop

23 March 2006
In a formality following the decision to set up a stronger United Nations Human Rights Council, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has decided to abolish as of 16 June the much-criticized Commission on Human Rights which the new body replaces.
In historic vote, GA creates new Council

UN rights commission again suspends work after approval of new Council

20 March 2006
The outgoing United Nations Commission on Human Rights suspended its work for a further week today pending new directives after last week’s historic approval by the General Assembly of a stronger Human Rights Council to replace it.
In historic vote, GA creates new Council

Ahead of elections for new Human Rights Council, Annan urges support for its work

20 March 2006
Upcoming elections for the new United Nations Human Rights Council will mark a fresh departure from its predecessor, the much-criticized UN Commission on Human Rights, Secretary-General Kofi Annan wrote today in a leading newspaper, urging all Member States to fully support the work of the new body.
Kofi Annan

Annan confident US, despite objections, will work with Human Rights Council

15 March 2006
Secretary-General Kofi Annan today expressed confidence that the United States will be able to work with the new United Nations Human Rights Council despite its opposition to a draft framework for the body that he has called an essential element in reforming the world organization.
DSG Fréchette & GA President Eliasson

In ‘historic’ vote, General Assembly creates new UN Human Rights Council

15 March 2006
Culminating months of intensive negotiations, the United Nations General Assembly today voted overwhelmingly on a resolution setting up a new Human Rights Council to replace the much-criticized Human Rights Commission – prompting Secretary-General Kofi Annan to hail this as an “historic” development which will help improve the lives of millions of people worldwide.

Assembly President hails vote on Human Rights Council as marker of UN reform

15 March 2006
United Nations General Assembly President Jan Eliasson said today’s establishment of a new Human Rights Council to replace the much-criticized Human Rights Commission sends a message that despite prevailing tumultuous environment, all countries share universal values of human rights and the world body can reform itself.

UN Rights Commission suspends work for week pending talks on new Council

13 March 2006
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights opened its 62nd session in Geneva today and then almost immediately suspended its work for one week as diplomats at UN Headquarters in New York continued to seek wider consensus on a new stronger Human Rights Council to replace the much criticized body.