<<previous  |  index  |  next>>

The Interactive Dialogue

The review will only be effective if there is sufficient time allotted for an effective interactive dialogue.  Human Rights Watch therefore reiterates its recommendation that these sessions take place in addition to the minimum of ten weeks allotted for the normal business of the HRC.  The proposal by many states that a half-day session of three to four hours duration be allocated to each country under review provides a good basis for the review, although the Council might decide to allocate more time for especially large countries.

Human Rights Watch suggests the following modalities for the dialogue itself, to be moderated by the session rapporteur:

• The state concerned makes a presentation of the state’s record of fulfilling its human rights obligations and the challenges it faces in doing so. This presentation addresses the questions prepared by the session rapporteur;
• Comments on the state’s presentation and questions to the state are made by Council members, observer states, and nongovernmental organizations;
• The state responds to the comments made and questions posed.