Hybrid Side Events the 57th Session of the Human Rights Council
Tuesday, 8 October at 15:00-16:00, room XXV
Migrants continue to face widespread and systematic human rights violations and abuses in transit that remain inadequately monitored, documented, or addressed, feeding impunity and exacerbating the dehumanization of migrants.
The Human Right Council adopted resolution 53/24 on prevention and accountability for human rights violations in transit which called upon States to work with national human rights institutions civil society organizations, migrants and their family members, and other relevant stakeholders to understand, prevent, investigate and address human rights violations and abuses against migrants in transit.
That resolution mandated an intersessional panel discussion on human rights violations in transit. The intersessional discussion is summarized in the report 57/32 and includes a call for the establishment of an international and independent monitoring mechanism to address human rights violations in transit.
The aim of this side event is to provide space to discuss the role and importance of independent human rights monitoring at international borders in prevention and accountability.
Agenda:
Opening Remarks: Todd Howland, Chief of Branch, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
The importance of human rights monitoring for prevention and accountability
Abdulaziz Muhamat, Advocacy Fellow at the Global Detention Project
The Need for Independent Mechanisms – Expertise on the value of monitoring and investigation on the basis of lived experience. (Read statement)
Gehad Madi, Special Rapporteur of Human Rights of Migrants
Existing Mechanisms and the Need for More.
Joseph Cripps, UN Advocacy Coordinator, Border Violence Monitoring Network
Desislava Todorova, Center for Legal Aid “Voice in Bulgaria”
Examples of Good Practice, Challenges, and Regional
Lucy McKernan, UN Deputy Director, Human Rights Watch (HRW)
The Need for an International Mechanism
Q+A/Interventions from the floor
Moderation: Laurel Townhead, Interim Director and Human Rights & Refugees Representative, Quaker United Nations Office
