Human Rights Council 54th Session Outcomes
- Yoni Ish-Hurwitz
- Jan 15, 2024
- 1 min read
Below are selected provisions of resolutions of the 54th session of the Human Rights Council (September-October 2023) that are especially relevant to the Security Council's agenda.
Country-specific resolutions address Afghanistan, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Honduras, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. They are followed by some of the thematic resolutions of the session, addressing cooperation with the UN (reprisals), education for peace and tolerance, as well as truth, justice and reparation.
For each resolution below, toggle to show details (as in example of 54/1 Afghanistan).
All resolutions and voting results can be found here.
54/1 Afghanistan
Led by the EU.
Title: Situation of human rights in Afghanistan.
Adopted without a vote.
The previous resolution in September 2022 was adopted by a vote of 29-3 with 15 abstentions. China voted No.
Recalls the press statement issued by the Security Council on 24 May 2022 and statements by UN officials and experts, including the SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict [PP9].
Expresses alarm at the findings of UNAMA in its report on extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations, and its report on the treatment of detainees in Afghanistan [PP11].
Recalls with grave concern the assessment of the Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan regarding the historical persecution of Hazaras and persons belonging to other ethnic and religious minorities, as well as his assessment (A/HRC/51/6, para 67) that attacks, frequently claimed by ISIL-Khorasan, appear to be systematic in nature and reflect elements of an organizational policy, thus bearing the hallmarks of international crimes, including crimes against humanity [PP15].
Notes the concerns about the situation of children, including recruitment and use of children by armed forces and groups in hostilities and other violations of international law [PP16].
Requests the Special Rapporteur to present a report to the HRC at its 55th session (March 2024); a report on the institutionalized discrimination against women at its 56th session (June 2024); an oral update at its 57th session (September 2024); as well as a report to the GA's 79th session (October 2024) [OP22-23].
Requests the High Commissioner to present a report to the HRC on accountability options [OP27].
54/20 Burundi
Led by the EU.
Title: Situation of human rights in Burundi.
Adopted by a vote of 20-10 with 17 abstentions.
Voting among Security Council members: Yes: France, the UK and the US. No: Algeria and China.
The previous resolution was adopted in September 2022 by a vote of 22-12 with 13 abstentions.
Condemns the widespread impunity for all human rights violations and abuses, and urges the Government of Burundi to hold all perpetrators accountable, regardless of their affiliation or status, including members of defence and security forces and of the ruling party’s youth league, the Imbonerakure, and to ensure that victims can seek justice and legal redress, and encourages the Government to reconsider its decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute of the ICC [OP3].
Requests the Special Rapporteur to present an oral update to the HRC at its 56th session (June 2024) and a comprehensive report to the HRC at its 57th session (September 2024) and to the GA at its 79th session (October 2024).
54/31 CAR
Led by the African Group.
Title: Technical assistance and capacity-building in the field of human rights in the Central African Republic.
Adopted without a vote.
Condemns the surge in attacks on humanitarian and medical personnel and on civilian and humanitarian facilities and infrastructure [PP13].
Recalls obligations of international forces, including respect for human rights [PP17].
Deplores the numerous cases of sexual abuse and violence committed against civilians [PP18].
Strongly condemns, inter alia, killings, torture conflict-related, sexual and other gender-based violence [see also OP18], abductions, arbitrary arrests, the recruitment and use of children [see also OP14 and OP34], the occupation of schools and attacks on schools, the denial of humanitarian assistance, and stresses that those responsible for such violations and abuses must be held accountable [OP1].
Also strongly condemns the targeted attacks launched by armed groups against civilians, humanitarian workers, health workers, humanitarian supplies and UN personnel [OP2].
Recalls that the Security Council may sanction those who incite others to violence or to hatred, particularly on ethnic or religious grounds, or to sexual or gender-based violence, or who prepare, commit or order the commission of acts that are contrary to human rights and IHL, recruit children for use in armed conflict, or impede the delivery or distribution of or access to humanitarian assistance [OP6].
Calls upon troop-contributing countries and international forces acting under the mandate of the Security Council to take the necessary measures to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse and other forms of sexual violence [OP12].
Calls to revitalize the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation process [OP13].
Encourages the authorities to fully implement security sector reform [OP26].
Invites the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic to continue to exercise due diligence and publication of reports in the field of human rights [OP27].
Decides to convene a high-level dialogue at the HRC's 55th session (March 2024), with a special emphasis on women and girls [OP42].
Requests the Independent Expert to provide an oral update to the HRC at its 56th session (June 2024) and a report at its 57th session (September 2024) and the GA's 79the session (October 2024) [OP46].
54/34 DRC
Led by the African Group.
Title: Technical assistance and capacity-building in the field of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Adopted without a vote.
Notes the progress made by the Armed Forces of the DRC in preventing and ending the recruitment and use of children [PP9].
Also notes the progress made in combating impunity for perpetrators of sexual violence, including through the promulgation by the President of Act No. 22/065 of 26 December 2022, which establishes the basic principles on protection and reparations for victims of conflict-related sexual violence and victims of crimes against the peace and security of mankind [PP16].
Calls on the Government of the DRC to find a durable solution to the problem of SGBV against children by implementing the 2012 plan of action and by prioritizing the provision of services to child survivors [PP18].
Encourages the Government to take all necessary measures to ensure that survivors have access to justice and that all the alleged perpetrators are brought to justice [OP7].
Takes note of the establishment of the monitoring committee for the implementation of Security Council resolution 2250 (2015) on youth, peace and security, and the adherence of the DRC to the initiative on the voluntary principles on security and human rights in the extractive industries [OP20].
Takes note of the report of the team of international experts on the DRC and of its conclusions and recommendations, in particular that the Nairobi and Luanda processes should take account of the cross-border nature of conflict and insecurity, identify the causes of conflict and prevent their recurrence, and design and implement mechanisms for transitional justice and the fight against impunity [OP35].
Requests the team of international experts to present an oral update to the HRC at its 55th session (March 2024) and submit a report at its 57th session (September 2024) [OP43].
Requests the High Commissioner to present an oral update to the HRC at its 55th session (March 2024) and a comprehensive report at its 57th session (September 2024) [OP44].
54/30 Honduras
Led by Honduras.
Title: Penitentiary system, security and justice: enhancement of technical cooperation and capacity-building to protect human rights in Honduras.
Adopted without a vote.
Requests the High Commissioner for Human Rights to present a report to the HRC at its 57th session (September 2024) [OP2].
54/32 Somalia
Led by the UK and Somalia.
Title: Assistance to Somalia in the field of human rights.
Adopted without a vote.
Recognizes the role that women have played and will continue to play in community mobilization and peacebuilding in Somali society [PP12].
Welcomes a number of developments, including in relation to women, peace and security [OP1-2].
Calls to hold accountable those responsible for violations and abuses, including the unlawful recruitment and use of child soldiers, killing, maiming and rape, and other forms of SGBV, including child, early and forced marriage and all forms of female genital mutilation and harmful practices, and emphasizes the importance of children formerly associated with armed groups being recognized as victims and the need to establish and implement rehabilitation and reintegration programmes and to strengthen existing ones [OP3, OP15(n) and OP15(y)].
Expresses deep concern at the increasing risk of civilian protection issues resulting from continued counter-al-Shabaab operations [OP5].
Expresses concern at any attack against, illegal restrictions imposed on or harassment of human rights defenders, civil society actors, opposition political actors, journalists and media workers [OP6].
Further expresses concern about the large number of instances of the six types of grave violations committed against children in armed conflict as identified by the Secretary-General [OP11].
Calls to make urgent progress towards finalizing a new constitution through inclusive and regular high-level dialogue at all levels, including the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and members of minorities [OP15(a)].
Calls to realize Somalia's commitments to security sector reform [detailed in OP15(g)].
Calls to implement the safe schools declaration [OP15(i)].
Calls to implement the recommendations and activities envisaged under the national action plan on WPS [OP15(j-k)].
Calls to treat former combatants in accordance with applicable obligations under national and international law [OP15(u)].
Calls to promote the well-being and protection of all internally displaced persons, including from SGBV and also from exploitation and abuse [OP15(w)].
Requests the Independent Expert to report to the HRC at its 57th session (September 2024) and to the General Assembly at its 79th session (October 2024) [OP24].
54/2 Sudan
Led by the UK, Germany, Norway and the US.
Title: Responding to the human rights and humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing armed conflict in the Sudan.
Adopted by a vote of 19-16 with 12 abstentions.
Voting among 2024 Security Council members: Yes: France, the UK and the US. No: Algeria, China.
Recalls Security Council resolutions and statements, including resolutions 1564 (2004) and 1593 (2005), as well as relevant statements by the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, among others [PP10-11].
Expresses its grave concern at reported acts of SGBV, the indiscriminate use of force against civilians by both parties to the conflict, reported acts of indiscriminate aerial bombardments by the Sudanese Armed Forces resulting in civilian deaths and the destruction of civilian homes and critical infrastructure, the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict, principally by the Rapid Support Forces, and reported acts of mistreatment and life-threatening conditions faced by detainees held by both parties [OP4].
Condemns the attacks on and looting of humanitarian convoys and aid agencies across several areas of the Sudan, including by the Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum, and the continued undue restrictions imposed by the parties to the conflict on humanitarian access, with their dire consequences for people in need, including bureaucratic and administrative impediments, such as visa and travel permit delays, and cumbersome customs procedures imposed by the Sudanese authorities and Sudanese Armed Forces, and the presence of armed forces in hospitals [OP5].
Urges all parties to the conflict in the Sudan to respect and protect civilians, including those who are humanitarian workers and health workers, and civilian infrastructure, and to allow civilians to move freely to access the basic services and humanitarian assistance they need [OP10].
Strongly urges all parties to take immediate and specific measures to put an end to and prevent further acts of SGBV, including rape, sexual slavery and sexual exploitation and abuse, by members of their respective forces or allied groups, and to ensure access to services for survivors, and stresses the importance of ensuring accountability for those who commit acts of SGBV, and also of ensuring a survivor-centred approach when responding to such acts [OP11].
Welcomes resolution 563 by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, adopted on 4 August 2023, which inter alia called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire by the warring parties and for talks to bring a definitive end to the current armed conflict, and also condemned the atrocities being committed in Darfur, including killings and rape, and the destruction of properties and livelihoods targeting in particular people on the basis of their ethnicity, affecting mostly members of the Masalit ethnic group [OP14].
Decides to urgently establish an independent international fact-finding mission for the Sudan, to provide an oral update to the HRC at its 56th session (June 2024) and present a comprehensive report to the HRC at its 57th session (September 2024) and GA at its 79th session (October 2024) [OP18].
54/29 Yemen
Led by Ukraine.
Title: Technical assistance and capacity-building for Yemen in the field of human rights.
Adopted without a vote.
Recalls and emphasizes several Security Council resolutions and calls to implement resolution 2216(2015) [PP3-4 and OP13].
Expresses deep concern at the serious human rights abuses and violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law in Yemen committed by all parties to the conflict, including those involving SGBV, the continued recruitment of children, contrary to international treaties, the abduction of political activists, the human rights violations against journalists and the killing of civilians [OP8].
Calls upon the Houthis to remove obstacles to humanitarian aid and release kidnapped humanitarian workers [OP9].
Calls upon all parties to immediately cease attacks on civilians, including on those delivering medical supplies and on aid workers, and to facilitate humanitarian access [OP10].
Expresses deep concern at all attacks against civilian objects, recalls the obligations of all parties to the conflict to take all precautions necessary to avoid and minimize harm to civilians and civilian objects, and the prohibition on attacking or destroying infrastructure and provisions that are indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, and strongly condemns the launching of ballistic and other missiles targeting the territory of neighbouring countries and posing a major threat to regional peace and stability and the security of international trade in Red Sea shipping lanes [OP11].
Requests the High Commissioner for Human Rights to present a report to the HRC at its 57th session (September 2024) [OP20].
54/24 Cooperation with the UN (reprisals)
Led by Hungary, Fiji, Ghana, Ireland and Uruguay.
Title: Cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights.
Adopted without a vote.
Notes with concern reports of the gender dimension and the specificity and severity of acts of reprisal against women, in particular for cooperation with the Security Council and peace operations mandated by the Council, as well as the targeting of representatives of Indigenous Peoples during their participation in UN meetings or when interacting with the UN at the country level [PP7].
54/5 Education for peace and tolerance
Led by Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Title: Ensuring quality education for peace and tolerance for every child.
Adopted without a vote.
Strongly condemns the recurring attacks on students, teachers, schools and universities and the military use of educational facilities, as such actions expose students and education personnel to harm and deny large numbers of children and students their right to quality education, and so deprive communities of the foundations on which to build their future [PP9].
Strongly condemns the recruitment and use of children in hostilities by non-State armed groups, including terrorist groups, and all violations and abuses committed by States and armed groups, including terrorist groups, against children in all circumstances, including those involving killing, maiming, abduction and rape, and all other forms of violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, and noting that such violations and abuses may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity [PP11].
Urges States and the international community, and encourages civil society and other relevant stakeholders, to take measures, as appropriate, including through education, such as human rights education and training, awareness-raising initiatives and the media, to promote peace, justice and human development, ethnic, national and religious tolerance and respect for all religions, religious values, beliefs and cultures and to effectively address conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism conducive to terrorism and that make children more vulnerable to the effects of terrorism and to recruitment by terrorists; [OP6].
54/8 Truth, justice and reparation
Led by Switzerland, Argentina and Morocco.
Title: Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence.
Adopted without a vote.
Recalls General Assembly resolution 70/262 of 27 April 2016 on the review of the United Nations peacebuilding architecture, and Security Council resolution 2282 (2016) of 27 April 2016, in which the Assembly and the Council, inter alia, stressed that a comprehensive approach to transitional justice, including the promotion of healing and reconciliation, a professional, accountable and effective security sector, including through its reform, and inclusive and effective demobilization, disarmament and reintegration programmes, including the transition from demobilization and disarmament to reintegration, are critical to the consolidation of peace and stability, promoting poverty reduction, the rule of law, access to justice and good governance, further extending legitimate State authority and preventing countries from lapsing or relapsing into conflict [PP11].
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