Council Concludes General Debate on the Promotion and Protection of All Human Rights, Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, including the Right to Development By Innocent Eneta

The Human Rights Council concluded its general debate on the promotion and protection of all human rights, encompassing civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, including the right to development. During this session, the Council engaged in a compelling interactive dialogue with the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia and initiated a dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation.

Mohamed Chande Othman, Chairperson of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia, delivered a sobering report to the Council, detailing the deteriorating situation in Ethiopia. The report revealed that Eritrean troops and Amhara militias continued to commit atrocities against civilians in the Tigray region, including disturbing instances of rape and sexual violence against women and girls. Of particular concern was the safety of minority Irob and Kunama communities near the Eritrean border and the forced expulsion of tens of thousands of Tigrayans from Western Tigray. Othman emphasized that the presence of Eritrean forces on Ethiopian soil indicated a complicit Ethiopian government.

Ethiopia responded, disputing the report’s methodology and arguing that it mischaracterized positive developments. Ethiopia asserted its commitment to a participatory transitional justice policy, meeting international standards.

In response to the discussion, numerous speakers expressed deep concern about the grave violations of international law in Tigray, Amhara, Afar, and Oromia, where Eritrean forces were implicated in heinous human rights violations, including killings and rape. They called for an immediate cessation of all rights violations and abuses, urging the Office of the High Commissioner to provide needed technical assistance.

The Council then shifted its focus to the dire human rights situation in the Russian Federation. Mariana Katzarova, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Russia, reported on Russia’s deteriorating human rights situation, exacerbated by its invasion of Ukraine. Katzarova highlighted Russia’s stifling of dissent, censorship, and repression of media, including the closure of Novaya Gazeta. She reported mass arbitrary arrests, harassment of human rights defenders, and disturbing allegations of torture and ill-treatment against protesters.

Several speakers expressed grave concern over Russia’s escalating violations of freedom of expression, academic freedom, and politically motivated sentencing of critics. They lauded the bravery of Russian human rights defenders while calling for non-selectivity and impartiality in the Human Rights Council’s work.

The Council also discussed crucial issues of digital justice and climate change. Speakers highlighted the importance of digital justice in achieving equality and justice in the digital world, emphasizing the need to prevent human rights violations related to digital technologies.

Regarding climate change, speakers stressed its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities and called on developed countries to fulfill their Paris Agreement obligations and support developing nations with financial aid and technological assistance.

Additionally, some speakers condemned unilateral and illegal sanctions against developing countries, citing their negative impact on international financing, renewable energy investment, and access to essential resources like medicine and medical equipment.

The Council will reconvene on September 22, 2023, to continue its interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation, followed by an interactive dialogue with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic.

For more information on the Human Rights Council’s activities, visit the webcast or access the meeting summaries and documents related to the Council’s fifty-fourth regular Session.