Human Rights Council Adopts Resolutions on Rohingya, Violence Against Women, and Digital Technologies

Strategic Insights -

The Human Rights Council (HRC) held its 53rd regular session from July 10 to 14, 2023, in Geneva, Switzerland. During the session, the HRC adopted five resolutions on various human rights issues, including the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar, preventing and responding to all forms of violence against women and girls in criminal justice detention, the contribution of development to the enjoyment of all human rights, and new and emerging digital technologies and human rights.

Key Takeaways:

  • The HRC adopted resolution (A/HRC/53/L.24/Rev.1) on the Implementation of Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/RES31/36, which requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to produce a database of all business enterprises involved in activities that violate human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
  • The resolution also requests the Secretary-General to allocate necessary financial and human resources to enhance the capacity of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
  • In a resolution (A/HRC/53/L.30/Rev.1) on the Situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar, the HRC calls upon Myanmar to end all violence and ensure the protection of human rights of all persons in Myanmar.
  • The HRC also adopted a resolution (A/HRC/53/L.5/Rev.1) on Accelerating efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, which requests the Office of the High Commissioner to submit a report to the Council at its 59th session on the situation of human rights of women and girls in criminal justice detention.
  • In a resolution (A/HRC/53/L.26) on the Contribution of development to the enjoyment of all human rights, the HRC calls upon States to promote sustainable development and revive the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The HRC further adopted a resolution (A/HRC/53/L.27/Rev.1) on New and emerging digital technologies and human rights, which requests the Office of the High Commissioner to prepare a report mapping the work and recommendations of the Council on new and emerging digital technologies.

Statistics:

  • 31 countries voted in favor of resolution (A/HRC/53/L.24/Rev.1) on the Implementation of Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/RES31/36, while 3 countries voted against it.
  • 30 countries voted in favor of resolution (A/HRC/53/L.26) on the Contribution of development to the enjoyment of all human rights, while 12 countries voted against it.
  • The HRC adopted resolution (A/HRC/53/L.27/Rev.1) on New and emerging digital technologies and human rights without a vote.
  • 31 countries voted in favor of resolution (A/HRC/53/L.30/Rev.1) on the Situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar, while 3 countries voted against it.

Sources:

  • A/HRC/53/L.24/Rev.1
  • A/HRC/53/L.30/Rev.1
  • A/HRC/53/L.5/Rev.1
  • A/HRC/53/L.26
  • A/HRC/53/L.27/Rev.1