The United Nations Human Rights Council is sitting for its 27th session from 8 to 26 September. This is the first session for new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein. In his opening statement on 8 September, the new High Commissioner addressed the most pressing current human rights issues and his plans for his term. The High Commissioner particularly highlighted the dramatic escalation of conflict in the North African and Middle East regions. He called for accountability for gross violations of human rights and other international crimes, stating that rule of law and an end to impunity would avoid future abuses and conflict. He also addressed the treaty body system and Universal Periodic Review, the Sustainable Development Goals, the rights of migrants and the Ebola crisis.
Ireland holds Membership of the UN Human Rights Council for the term 2013-2015. The Irish delegation has been participating in discussions and panels, including such issues as the importance of civil society space, the protection of human rights defenders, freedom of assembly and expression, protection of the family, enforced disappearances, and victim participation in criminal proceedings.
At a panel discussion on the protection of the family, Ireland affirmed that ‘the family is a living, dynamic entity and can take many forms’. It also reiterated that any protection of the family stems from the human rights of the individual family members, and the family unit is not a rights holder.
The delegation’s contributions to the session reflect Ireland’s priorities for its term, especially in the promotion of civil society space. In the panel discussion on role of prevention, promotion and protection of human rights, Ireland again stated that, “At the national level, a strong and vibrant civil society can be a key element in the prevention of human rights violations. We therefore emphasise the need for States to promote and maintain a safe and enabling environment for civil society.”