The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) last week adopted five new resolutions and submitted one to the General Assembly. One key development was the extension of the UN’s mandate in Burundi, which came in the wake of the recent expiration of the UN’s mandate in Ethiopia.
The resolution related to the “Situation of human rights in Burundi” was the tenth resolution pertaining to human rights issues in the country since October 2015. The government of Burundi was criticized for widespread impunity with regards to human rights violations, including intimidation of human rights defenders. The UN’s renewed mandate in Burundi is intended to facilitate cooperation with the Special Rapporteur on Burundi.
Among the four other mandates adopted were resolutions on preventable maternal mortality and morbidity, the contribution of family-oriented policies in promoting human rights, the right to development, and the realization of equal educational rights.
The pertinent resolution on the “Preventable maternal mortality and morbidity and human rights” urges nations to counteract preventable maternal mortality and morbidity, strengthening universal access to sexual and reproductive health services. Despite lack of unanimous agreement, the resolution passed.
The resolution emphasizing the “Contribution of family-oriented policies” in promoting human rights also proceeded without a vote. It accentuates the role of poverty eradication, work-family balance and intergenerational issues in proposing family-centric policies.
The “Right to Development” resolution was the most substantial, affirming the universal right to development in alignment with international human rights laws. It highlights the responsibilities of states in supporting international cooperation, aid delivery, trade, and investment. However, this resolution faced opposition from some of the wealthiest nations, including the US, the UK, Germany, France, and Luxembourg.
The final resolution emphasized the “Realization of the equal enjoyment of the right to education by every girl,” discussing the importance of schooling for girls in overcoming challenges associated with climate change.
Overall, these resolutions mark significant progress in addressing key human rights challenges at an international level. However, the contentious votes also underscore the ongoing divergences in nations’ stances on these issues.