Joint NGO statement to the last session of the Commission on Human Rights – Call for signatures

The Commission on Human Rights will conclude its 60 years of work in a three hour session this coming Monday afternoon, 27 March. The Expanded Bureau has decided that there will only be one NGO statement permitted. An NGO strategy meeting was held in Geneva this morning (Friday 24 March) to discuss the response to this. A large number of Geneva based NGOs attended but only a small number from outside Geneva as few have come to the Commission this year and most of those have already returned to their home countries.

Following the NGO strategy meeting held in Geneva today, we are please to inform you that the outcome of this discussion is a joint NGO declaration to be orally presented to the last session of the Commission and also distributed as a written document and as a press release. This text, drafted and proposed by the International Service for Human Rights, was discussed and amended during this meeting today.

You can find attached and below the final version, which was endorsed by all participants.

This attached statement specifically addresses the situation of NGOs being allowed only one statement at this important concluding session. It is now open to signature.

NGOs wishing to sign should send an email to c.sidoti@ishr-sidh.ch or k.thomasen@ishr-sidh.ch . Please mention the name of the organization, country where it is based, name and function of the signatory. Signatures will be collected up until Monday 27 March, 11:00 am, Geneva time (GMT+2).

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STATEMENT TO THE FINAL SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS BY …

This statement is made on behalf of XXX non-governmental organisations. It cannot be made on behalf of all non-governmental organisations because we have no authority to do so.

During the 60 years of the Commission on Human Rights, non-governmental organisations have played, in the words of the General Assembly, "an important role at the national, regional and international levels, in the promotion and protection of human rights". Unfortunately the arrangement made for their participation in the final session of the Commission through a single statement does not allow this important role to be reflected. Non-governmental organisations are very diverse, reflecting the variety and multiplicity of human experiences. They have brought to the Commission the voices of the voiceless and of victims of violations throughout the world. That diversity and those voices cannot be encapsulated in a single statement. With disappointment and a sense of loss, we note that they are missing from the final session of the Commission.

We have decided therefore not to make a single non-governmental statement to assess the work of the Commission. We cannot accept that this is an appropriate way to proceed now or in the future and we urge States to acknowledge this.

We look forward positively to the establishment of the Human Rights Council. We remind all States of the terms of the recent General Assembly resolution which committed the future Human Rights Council to "ensuring the most effective contribution" of non-governmental organizations to its work "based on arrangements … and practices observed by the Commission".

We invite all here today to join us in standing and observing a moment of silence for those who have suffered human rights violations during the life of this Commission, to mark with dignity its closing.