24/02/2012

Human Rights Council to hold panel discussion on technical cooperation at the UPR

On 21st March, the Human Rights Council (the Council) will hold a Panel Discussion on "Sharing of best practices and promoting technical cooperation: paving the way towards the second cycle of the universal periodic review".

The establishment of the Panel Discussion was decided by resolution 18/18 adopted in September 2011 stating that the Council would "hold, within the framework of agenda item 10, an annual thematic discussion to promote the sharing of experiences and best practices and technical cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights".

It was further decided in the resolution that the first annual discussion would be on the UPR. The objective of the discussion will be to share best practices, technical cooperation and capacity building among all relevant actors with a view to promote the implementation of the outcome of the first cycle of the UPR.

During the discussion, representatives from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Development Programme, States, international organisations and civil society actors will be given the floor.

NGOs willing to speak at the panel need to register at the Council's Secretariat by 24 February.

The Panel will be held on 21 March from 12pm to 3pm in Room XX, Palais des Nations.