The 55th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) commenced yesterday (26), in Geneva, Switzerland.
The UNHRC 55th regular session (HRC55) will be held from February 26 to April 05, 2024.
The updated reports of the current status on human rights of Sri Lanka and several other countries are scheduled to be submitted at the 55th regular session of the UNHRC on March 04. The Council is scheduled to hear an oral update by the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the activities of his office and recent human rights developments around the world. The general debate on his oral update will be held following his presentation of a number of country-specific reports and updates.
The 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, will consider issues including the protection of human rights defenders, freedom of religion or belief, protection and promotion of human rights while countering terrorism, the right to food and adequate housing, among others.
HRC55 will be held at a time of increasing conflicts and crises, the root causes of which include repression and human rights violations. Respect for human rights and accountability for violations is essential to address and resolve these crises. Amongst other things, this requires that States support and protect the work of human rights defenders, both at the national and international levels. Defenders prevent rights violations, provide essential services, document abuses, promote accountability, and propose solutions that are grounded in community priorities and needs.
The United Nations Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system that was established in 2006 which is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and making recommendations on them. It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year. It meets at the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG).
The Council, composed of 47 Member States, provides a multilateral forum to address human rights violations and country situations. It responds to human rights emergencies and makes recommendations on how to better implement human rights on the ground.
Sri Lanka became a member of the United Nations on December 14, 1955. The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva was established in June 1965. The Permanent Mission functions as the Permanent Sri Lanka delegation to the Geneva Office of the United Nations (UN).
Varuna Dayaratne