What to Expect at the 36th Human Rights Council Session

Published on September 06, 2017

The 36th session of the UN Human Rights Council will take place from the 11th to the 29th of September 2017. Find below information about anticipated sexual rights-related resolutions, panels and reports, UPR outcomes, and parallel events taking place during the 36th session.
 

Click here to access the full programme of work for HRC36

 

Expected Resolutions Relevant to Sexual Rights

  • The systematic mainstreaming of a gender perspective in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development Goals (Brazil)
  • Human rights education and training (Brazil)
  • Implementation of 2030 Agenda (using national mechanisms) (Paraguay)
  • Mental health and human rights (Portugal and Brazil)
  • Question of the death penalty (Belgium, Benin, Costa Rica, France, Mexico, Republic of Moldova, Mongolia, Switzerland)

 

Sexual Rights Related Panels

Annual discussion on the integration of a gender perspective throughout the work of the Human Rights Council and that of its mechanisms

Theme: The universal periodic review and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

The panel discussion will present an opportunity to participants to explore the potential role the UPR mechanism can play in advancing the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular its Goal 5, at the global, regional and country levels. Click here to download the concept note »

Annual half-day panel discussion on the rights of indigenous peoples

Theme: The commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, with a special focus on challenges and good practices in achieving the ends of the Declaration

The panel discussion aims to identify good practices and challenges in achieving the ends of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, examine the role of indigenous youth in the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples, and consider the way forward in implementing the Declaration including through collaboration between relevant human rights mechanisms. Click here to download the concept note »

Panel discussion on the impact of multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and violence in the context of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance on the full enjoyment of all human rights by women and girls

Pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 32/17 and further to the High Commissioner’s report A/HRC/35/10, the panel discussion will present an opportunity to further examine the compounded negative impact of multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and violence on the ability of specific groups of women and girls to realize all their human rights, including economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights. The panel discussion will also present a unique opportunity to share promising practices for addressing intersecting forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls by States and other stakeholders, and discuss the constraints and challenges in doing so, while paying particular attention to legal frameworks, institutions and policies, data and research, monitoring and protection, awareness raising and capacity building. Click here to download the concept note »
 

Click here for a list of all panels and concept notes

 

Sexual Rights Related Reports

A/HRC/36/19
Summary of the Human Rights Council panel discussion on access to medicines.
Click here to read the report »

A/HRC/36/20
Summary of the panel discussion on realizing the right to health by enhancing capacity-building in public health – Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Click here to read the report »

A/HRC/36/21
Panel discussion on unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents and human rights – Summary report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Report not currently available.

A/HRC/36/30
Expert workshop on best practices to promote women’s equal nationality rights in law and in practice – Summary report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Click here to read the report »

A/HRC/36/45
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation.
Click here to read the report »

A/HRC/36/46
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples. Report not currently available.

A/HRC/36/48
Report of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons.
Click here to read the report »
 

Click here for a list of all reports

 

UPR OUTCOMES

Outcomes from the 27th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) will be adopted during this session of the HRC. The 27th session of the UPR was held from the 1st to the 12th of May 2017.

Fourteen countries were reviewed: Algeria, Bahrain, Brazil, Ecuador, Finland, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Tunisia, and United Kingdom.

_________________________

 

SRI collaborated with organizations and individuals in preparing reports for six countries:

Brazil

Ecuador

Indonesia

Netherlands

Poland

South Africa

 

Click here to review all SRI joint submissions

All Reports from the Working Groups, containing all recommendations received by States Under Review can be accessed here.

 

SRI Parallel Events

We Persist

26 SEPTEMBER
We Persist: Using human rights law and standards to advance the right to access safe and legal abortion
Sexual Rights Initiative

15:30-17:00, Room XV In support of the September 28 Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion, the Sexual Rights Initiative is organising an event during the 36th regular session of the Human Rights Council. The event will highlight the ways in which States, civil society, the UN system, and others can use human rights law and standards to advance the right to access safe and legal abortion. It is intended that this exchange of practices and experiences will inspire further action and collaboration among States, development partners, and civil society towards realising abortion related rights for all.

 

Other Sexual Rights-related Parallel Events

11 SEPTEMBER
Interaction Panel Discussion with Human Rights Council Candidates
Canada, Amnesty International, and International Service for Human Rights
12:30-15:00, Room XI

13 SEPTEMBER
Women and human rights Rencontre africaine pour la defense des droits de l’homme
14:00-15:30, Room XI

14 SEPTEMBER
Realizing Rights: Protecting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Time of Backlash
Center for Reproductive Rights
13:30-15:00, Room XXVII

Right to Development and LGBTI
Swedish Federation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights – RFSL
14:00-15:30, Room XV

15 SEPTEMBER
Ensuring Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Women and Girls Affected by Conflict
Center for Reproductive Rights
13:00-15:00, Room VIII

Meaningful Youth Participation
World Young Women’s Christian Association
17:00-18:00, Room XXIV

19 SEPTEMBER
Women and Youth in Peacebuilding
Human Rights Information and Training Center
14:00-15:00, Room XI

21 SEPTEMBER
Human rights in Libya and Yemen: Women, Peace and Security
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
14:00-15:00, Room XXVII

 

Click here for a list of NGO parallel events