The United Nations Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body of which Norway is one of 47 members. The Council was established by the UN General Assembly in 2006 and is concerned with strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world.
The 13th session of the Human Rights Council takes place from 1-26 March. The session opens with a High Level Segment, where dignitaries from around the world address the Council. Also, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, presents her annual report to the Council.
A number of other reports are presented and discussed during the Council session. Members and observers will engage in debates and interactive dialogues and on the basis of reports presented by experts, namely the Human Rights Councils Special Procedure mandate holders.
At the 13th session, the Council will discuss issues such as the right to food, terrorism, torture, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, human rights defenders, freedom of religion, racism, and the rights of children. Reports are also presented on the human rights situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Burma/Myanmar, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Somalia and Afghanistan.
The issues discussed during the session often form the basis for the Human Rights Council's resolutions. Resolutions are initiated by states and discussed informally in parallel to the meetings in the plenary. Adopted at the end of the session, the resolutions aim to highlight specific issues or situations and may for instance urge states to take action and/or request the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) or mandate holders to perform tasks, for example to write reports.
The Human Rights Council will in its 13th session also adopt reports from various examinations under the Universal Periodic Review, and hold several panel discussions.
Norway participates actively in the Human Rights Council. Statements held during the 13th sessions can be found through the following links:
- Norway’s statement by Gry Larsen, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, during the High Level Segment. 2 March 2010
- Statement in the interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay
- Statement in the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Olivier de Schutter
- Statement in the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Mr. Martin Scheinin, and the Special Rapporteur on Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Mr. Manfred Nowak
- Statement in the annual full day meeting on the right of the Child : "The fight against sexual violence against children". Morning Panel: Manifestations of sexual violence against boys and girls
- Statement in the annual full day meeting on the right of the Child : "The fight against sexual violence against children". Afternoon Panel: Protecting boys and girls from sexual violence: Prevention and response
- Statement in the interactive dialogue with the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence Against Children, Marta Santo Pais
- Statement in the general debate under Item 3: Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development
- Statement in the general debate under Item 4: Human Rights situations that require the Council’s attention
- Statement in the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
- Statement in the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar
- Statement in the general debate under Item 6: The Universal Periodic Review
- Statement in the general debate under Item 7: Follow-up to Special Sessions