Asian Group: HRC President briefing with regional groups – 22nd November 2007

The meeting was deemed highly necessary upon the request of the President of the Council. Its purpose is to update delegations on the President’s visit to New York, and preparation of resumed session of the Council.

During his visit to New York, the President of the Council had meetings with around 50 delegations, and all of them deposited high expectations on the council, even if occasionally having some skepticism. During the meetings, the President insisted inter alia on advocating the need of resources by the HRC.

Taken into account all the meetings in New York, the president was able to provide only one example of the Romania’s Mission, illustrating a very good knowledge of the HRC's activities. To his surprise, the Council is not as well-known in New York as it would have been expected. It must definitely become more visible. For instance, the majority of the missions in New York did not even know that live broadcast of the council meetings is available via internet.

The president reported that he had also meetings with countries that do not have missions in Geneva. These were essentially focused on the UPR.


November and December meetings

Sessions between 10th and 14th December will be inter alia devoted to Prof. Pinero report on Myanmar as well as to the report of Working Group on Darfur.

10th December session shall be dedicated to the Human Rights day, 60th Anniversary of the UDHR.

On 21st November, a meeting will take place to proceed to the final rehearsal of the troika selection system.


April meetings

Universal Periodic review will take place for the first session.
Two other issues will be at stake:

1. Election of the Members of the Advisory Committee ( notification of the candidates);
   
2. Selection and nomination of the new membership’s holders.
   

Remarks:

Pakistan appreciated endeavors of the president in New York, particularly his meetings with some Caribbean and Pacific States’ representatives which do not have missions in Geneva, and his careful attention on updating the regional groups in Geneva with all necessary information. Additionally, Pakistan raised queries in regard to the expectations arising from the Optional Protocol as well as the program of the Council altogether.

Saudi Arabia showed some degree of concern in respect of the UPR, the review process per se, articulation and improvement; and contended that troika system might need more clarification, particularly with regard to the way the countries are to respond to their selection as a rapporteur. In conclusion, Saudi Arabia’s delegate did not feel comfortable with the reaction in New York to the HRC’s activity and engagement.

India noticed that in the note on the Troika Selection System submitted by the Secretariat there is a particularly confusing point pertaining to the way in which the possibility of excuse from being a rapporteur should operate. Is it generally recognized that a country will have 24 hours period to pronounce itself on the selection which will take place on the 26th November.

Bahrain asserted that the institution-building is clear, but pointed out to the concern of whether there will be only one joint report of the three rapporteurs assigned for the UPR of one specific State, or whether there will be three different reports. Bahrain’s delegate declared that no information was available on the priority attributed to the States who will end the session in summer 2008.

Bangladesh underlined the fact that the complexity of the relationship between Council and 3rd Committee will remain in the course of upcoming years. Moreover, Bangladesh raised a very pertinent point concerning the time framework for the troika to collect and send questions to the states, in particular wondering whether this is supposed to take place after or before the review.

In his final remarks, the President encouraged the delegates due to the successful progress of the Council, its specificity in comparison with the 3rd Committee and its higher degree of effectiveness. According to him, colleagues in New York appreciated very much endeavors of the Council. He noticed in addition that 6 mandates will be reviewed in December.

On Monday, 26th of November, Troikas will be officially drawn. States will have until Wednesday 28th to pronounce themselves on the selection. Furthermore, the President stated that it does not make sense to have discussion on determination of the level of rapporteurs, their selection should be left to the appreciation of the States, whereas role and limits of operability are already well established within a system. Troikas will be elected only for this membership of the council. In conclusion, the President showed his support to the query presented by Bangladesh regarding the time framework for the questions, which should be discussed in due course.

Vladyslav Lanovoy