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Geneva Academy
In a note verbale, the United States (US) informed the President of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) on 20 of June 2018 that they have ‘resigned (their) membership in the Human Rights Council, effective at 1700 Eastern Daylight Time, June 19, 2018’ and that ‘the United States will not participate further in the June HRC session or future sessions and will not serve out the remainder of its term’. Upon receipt of the formal notification, the US ceased to be a member. As from that date onwards, they were considered an Observer State to the HRC.
In a debate, the Geneva Academy introduced a legal discussion on the US’ decision to leave the HRC. Experts and participants discussed the legal consequences of this withdrawal, its impact on the functioning and credibility of the HRC, as well as the extent will the decision affect US’ collaboration with UN Special Procedures and the Universal Periodic Review. They concluded that the US might come back any time through new elections, although the question about their human rights commitments remains open. They also underlined that US' engagement with other mechanisms like UN Special Procedures or the Universal Periodic Review remains open.
Panelists discussed the legal consequences of the US' withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council for the functioning and credibility of this major human rights body, and for the promotion and protection of human rights. They also addressed the extent to which this decision will affect US’ collaboration with UN Special Procedures and the Universal Periodic Review, as well as the impact on the UN and multilateral diplomacy.
News
Our Academic Platform on Treaty Body Review 2020 held on 20–21 July its fourth regional consultation in Nairobi, Kenya, in partnership with Strathmore University Law School and the Universities of Nairobi and Pretoria.
News
Olivier Chamard / Geneva Academy
Our Academic Platform on Treaty Body Review 2020 organizes two briefings – one for states and one for NGOs – to discuss proposals that are emerging from the seven regional consultations that took place in 2016-2017, informal thematic and global conferences, continued engagement with members of treaty bodies and an open call for papers.
Event
UN Photo
This conference in Berlin will discuss the significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights today.
Event
O'Reilly Conferences
A Geneva Human Rights Platform consultation with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association, civil society representatives and academics.
Short Course
UN Photo/Pierre Albouy
This course focuses on the functioning and the mechanisms of the United Nations Human Rights Council, as well as on the dynamics at play in this major human rights body.
Training
Nicolas Axelrod / Ruom
Cette formation en ligne permet d’acquérir une connaissance approfondie des droits économiques, sociaux et culturels (DESC), des obligations des états et des mécanismes chargés de les protéger et de surveiller leur mise en œuvre.
Project
Hugo Escalpelo
We are a partner of the Human Rights, Big Data and Technology Project, housed at the University of Essex’s Human Rights Centre, which aims to map and analyse the human rights challenges and opportunities presented by the use of big data and associated technologies. It notably examines whether fundamental human rights concepts and approaches need to be updated and adapted to meet the new realities of the digital age.
Project
© ILO/ Joydeep Mukherjee
This project aims to support the UN working group’s consultation process and thus contribute the promotion and protection of human rights and gender equality in relation to the business sector via research on international human rights law and policy related to gender equality guarantees and their application to business activities, and the organization of a global conference in Geneva.
