Thursday, 21 September 2017 
15.00-16.30
Room XXI, Palais des Nations, Geneva

Download flyer here

The purpose of this discussion is to contribute to the critical debate on developing and strengthening procedures to prevent and address reprisals at the UN, ensuring that the voices of defenders are at the front and centre of the discussion. Furthermore, this panel coincides with the presentation of the Secretary-General’s annual report on Cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights ('the reprisals report') at the Council's current session.

Panelists:

• Michel Forst, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders 
• Peggy Hicks, Director of Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division, OHCHR
• Claudia Samayoa (UDEFEGUA), Human Rights Defender from Guatemala
• Ellecer Carlos (iDEFEND & PAHRA), Human Rights Defender from the Philippines
• Woman human rights defender from Burundi, member of the MFFPS

Moderator:

• Tess McEvoy, Legal Counsel, ISHR.

Attendance with UNOG pass only!

For those unable to attend, we invite you to follow the event on Twitter through @ISHRglobal #HRC36 #EndReprisals

Tuesday 12 September

3:00pm - 4:30pm

Palais des Nations, Room XXVII

Geneva

 

 

This panel speaks out in memory of Liu Xiaobo to draw attention to defenders and their families who are affected by China's crackdown on dissent. 

 

Part 1: Personal perspectives on Detentions in China

What are the conditions faced by defenders currently in prison or detention centers?

What risks or challenges are faced by family members, and others, who seek information about their loved ones and accountability for ill-treatment? 

 

Part 2: Opportunities and challenges of advocacy for detained defenders 

What are the big picture impacts of deaths in detention on the rights defence movement, globally and in China?

How has the international community, including through awards that recognise the work of human rights defenders, assisted in this?

What are the limitations or barriers to ensuring visibility of detained defenders, including in China?

 

Attendance with UNOG pass only. Flyer available here.

Monday 11 September

10:00am - 1:00pm

United Nations Headquarters

Conference room 3

New York

In advance of the Human Rights Council elections that will take place this autumn for the membership term 2018-2020, Amnesty International and the International Service for Human Rights will hold pledging events for candidate States in Geneva and New York on 11 September 2017.
 
The New York event, which will be co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of the Czech Republic, Iraq and Uruguay, is intended to give candidates an opportunity to present their vision for Council membership and to respond to questions from a range of stakeholders on how they would realise the pledges and commitments they may have made in seeking election.

ISHR has published ‘scorecards’ for each of the States currently seeking election which can be accessed here.

If you require a UN Ground Pass to attend this event, please RSVP here by 7 September. Please note that due to additional restrictions associated with the upcoming 72nd session of the General Assembly annual and temporary grounds passes of NGOs with consultative status with ECOSOC will not be sufficient to enter this event. Holders of those passes please also RSVP here.  

For more informationon see details of the Geneva event here.

Can’t make it?
Follow the event live on UN Web TV: http://webtv.un.org and submit questions to the candidates via Twitter using #HRCPledging.

Monday 11 September

12:30-3:00pm

Palais des Nations, Room XI

Geneva

In advance of the Human Rights Council elections that will take place this autumn for the membership term 2018-2020, Amnesty International and the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) will hold pledging events for candidate States in Geneva and New York on 11 September 2017.
 
The events, which will be co-sponsored by a cross-regional group of Permanent Missions, are intended to give candidates an opportunity to present their vision for Council membership and to respond to questions from a range of stakeholders on how they would realise the pledges and commitments they may have made in seeking election.

ISHR has published ‘scorecards’ for each of the States currently seeking election which can be accessed here.

If you require a UN Ground Pass to attend this event, please RSVP here by 4 September.

For your information: a similar event will be held in New York on the same day. See details of the New York event here. 

Can’t make it?
Follow the event live on ISHR YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/ISHRGlobal and submit questions to the candidates via Twitter using #HRCPledging.