The Secretary General has proposed a series of bold reforms of the system and following a period of intense negotiations by member states, it is now up to the Heads of States to adopt them. One of the key elements of the Secretary General’s proposal has been a very thorough reform of the United Nations human rights system.
One of the key elements of the Secretary General’s proposal has been a very thorough reform of the United Nations human rights system. Its centerpiece is the replacement of the existing Commission on Human Rights with a newly created Human Rights Council. In addition to the strengthening of UN work in the field of the protection and promotion of human rights, the creation of the Human Rights Council would also address the credibility crisis within the existing Commission on Human Rights which in recent years has reflected poorly on the reputation of the United Nations as a whole.
During the different rounds of negotiations that have been underway since early April, a growing number of Governments have supported the approach adopted by the President of the General Assembly Jean Ping to endorse in the Summit Outcome Document the creation of the Council and its very basic design, and to leave to further negotiations, to be completed by the end of the year, the mandate, modalities and the detailed shape of the Council. This approach currently has the support of a vast number of states, from all regional groups, including virtually all democratic governments. In this context it is distressing to see the Russian Federation as expressing serious objections to various element of this process and to even including the reference to a Human Rights Council in the outcome document.
As the Head of a Government committed to the promotion of the goals of the United Nations Charter, we strongly urge you to join other member states in supporting the creation of the Human Rights Council.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Roth
Executive Director
Holly Cartner
Executive Director
Europe and Central Asia Division
Cc: Mr. Sergei Lavrov
