Geneva: (Agencies: 13/9/2009): The Human Rights Council holds its twelfth regular session from 14 September to 2 October 2009 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
On the morning of Monday, 14 September, the Council heard an update by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, followed by a general debate. Under this item, which covers the reports of the Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) and the Secretary-General, the Council had before it over a dozen reports, including the report of the Secretary-General on human rights and unilateral coercive measures.
Concerning the promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development, the Council will review six reports including one from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and another from the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people.
The Council will also hear a presentation on the report of the second session of the expert mechanism on the rights of indigenous peoples, in the context of its consideration of human rights bodies and mechanisms. The Council will also consider draft guidelines for the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members.
On the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories, the Council will discuss follow-up to its special session on grave human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian territories, particularly due to the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. In that context, it will have before it the report of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, as well as a periodic report of the High Commissioner on the implementation of the resolution adopted at the special session held in January 2009, focusing on some of the key concerns of her Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory covering the period of the Israeli military operations in Gaza codenamed “Cast Lead” up to 10 April 2009.
On racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance: follow-up to and implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, the Council will have before it the report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
The Council will also take up technical assistance and capacity-building.
Also during the session, the Council will hold general debates on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention. The Council will also hold two closed meetings of its complaint procedure. In addition, the Council will appoint two new Special Procedures mandate holders – an independent expert in the field of cultural rights and an independent expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan.
Concerning its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism, the Council will consider the final outcome of the Review for 15 countries.
For more detailed information about the work of the Council at this session, including with regard to documentation, please refer to the Human Rights Council website at http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/12session/.
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