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This intensity illustrates the importance of the HRC’s work, including in addressing human rights concerns in a variety of countries engulfed by major crises and conflicts, some of which have lasted for several years, but also key, topical human rights thematic issues.
The Council met against the backdrop of a very tense and complex international context – with multilateralism and the rule of law both facing profound threats – characterized by a new international configuration that an erratic and increasingly authoritarian US administration is imposing at home and abroad, bearing on many of the human rights questions that the HRC had to consider. Many dignitaries who addressed the HRC in the first days of the session acknowledged this particularly difficult environment.
Despite these tensions and the usual polarization and dissent around issues like the role of civil society and human rights defenders or on the legitimacy of unilateral coercive measures and their impact on human rights, the HRC once again proved that it remains a space for active dialogue and cooperation, including on some issues and situations that cannot be addressed elsewhere within the UN.
The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), together with partner organizations, participated actively in the 58th session. Civil society’s critical engagement is essential in calling on the Council and its member States to respond to the plight of victims of human rights violations. In this regard, the ICJ was pleased to ensure that our partner from the African Albinism Network delivered our joint statement on the tenth anniversary of the mandate of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with Albinism. Maintaining effective access to the UN in Geneva for civil society is key to ensure that people can themselves participate or be represented in the discussions at the Council that concern them directly. With regard to this, the ICJ denounces all attempts to undermine civil society participation, including the intimidation of human rights defenders during side events, observed again at this HRC session.
Welcoming the creation and continuation of important initiatives
At the outset, the ICJ welcomes the adoption of a number of important resolutions renewing, extending or creating mandates under the HRC purview, among which the following were adopted without a vote:
- a resolution extending the mandate of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic for a period of one year;
- a resolution establishing an open-ended intergovernmental working group for the elaboration of a legally-binding instrument on the promotion and protection of the human rights of older persons;
- a resolution renewing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism for a period of three years;
- a resolution renewing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the right to food for a period of three years;
- a resolution extending the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar for a period of one year;
- a resolution renewing the presence of the Office of the High Commissioner in Seoul, for a period of two years with the same resources and extending the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) for a period of one year.
While regretting the failure to adopt them by consensus, the ICJ also welcomes the adoption of other important resolutions by a majority of the votes:
- a resolution extending the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine for a period of one year;
- a resolution renewing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus for a period of one year and extending the mandate of the Group of Independent Experts on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus for a period of one year;
- a resolution renewing the mandate of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua for a period of two years;
- a resolution extending the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran for a period of one year and deciding that the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran should continue for one year with an updated mandate to address the recent and ongoing violations of human rights; and
- a resolution extending the mandate of the independent human rights expert tasked with undertaking the monitoring of the human rights situation in Haiti, for a renewable period of one year.
Dealing with a number of intensifying armed conflicts
This session discussed armed conflicts whose intensity had continued to increase, including in Gaza, Ukraine, the DRC and Myanmar.
In relation to Myanmar, the latest resolution adopted by the HRC was amended in the last days of the session to express sympathy with all the victims and survivors of the earthquake of a terrifying magnitude that struck on 28 March, aggravating the dire humanitarian and human rights situation in the country already ravaged by the armed conflict between the Junta and armed groups. The resolution also welcomed the aid already provided while calling for further humanitarian aid, in line with the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence, and for all parties to cease hostilities and facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all victims everywhere.
Regarding Ukraine, in its latest report presented at this session of the Council, the Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Ukraine reported that, after more than three years since the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine, the armed conflict had led to over 12.000 people being killed and more than 29.000 injured civilians, as well as to large-scale destruction, including damage of civilian dwellings and infrastructure. Furthermore, while the COI had previously concluded that the Russian authorities had perpetrated the crime against humanity of torture, in its latest report, the COI also found that, as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population, the Russian authorities had committed the crimes against humanity of enforced disappearances in all provinces of Ukraine where areas came under Russian control, and in the Russian Federation. In response, several member States hailing from different regions (European countries + Australia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand and Uruguay) overwhelmingly condemned crimes against civilians.
Unsurprisingly, the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory was one of the most-discussed throughout the 58th session. Many countries voiced strong support for the Palestinian people and their human rights, with many calling for a two-State solution based on Israel’s withdrawal to its pre-1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as Palestine’s capital. The ICJ commends the many States who intervened during the negotiations and adoption of the resolutions on the situation in the OPT to emphasize the need for accountability, and who voiced their support for the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice and their respective recent decisions on Israel/Palestine. The resolution adopted at this session titled “the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice” invited the General Assembly to consider establishing an ongoing international, impartial and independent mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed by all parties in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel since 2014.
Earlier in the year, on 7 February 2025, the Council had already held a special session to discuss the human rights situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where armed clashes between Congolese forces and the Rwanda-backed M23 movement had been ongoing, and had escalated since January 2025. The special session had resulted in the adoption of a resolution requesting the High Commissioner to urgently establish a fact-finding mission to report on events since January 2022. The resolution had also established an independent COI composed of three experts appointed by the HRC President to continue the work of the fact-finding mission. At the 58th session, the ICJ and many countries expressed grave concern about the human rights situation in the DRC, and during the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner and the Team of Experts at the end of the session many of the same themes and concerns heard during the special session were raised again.
Threats to Multilateralism
This 58th session took place in the context of increasing threats against multilateralism. In particular, this session started in the aftermath of the United States and Israel announcing that they would boycott the Council by not engaging with it. In addition, on 27 February – the day before the interactive dialogue with the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua, when the HRC was scheduled to discuss the serious human rights violations committed by the State apparatus, including executions, torture and arbitrary detentions – Nicaragua announced its decision to withdraw from the Council.
These boycotts are taking place in parallel to a continued push by some countries – primarily those in the so-called Group of Friends of the Charter of the UN – against legitimate mandates, such as the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, seeking to address serious human rights situations.
The ICJ participated in the interactive dialogue with the FFM on Venezuela, echoing its findings, also mirrored in the high commissioner’s oral update, about ongoing arbitrary detentions and attacks against independent civil society organizations, among other violations. During the Interactive Dialogue with the FFM, a number of countries, particularly European States, expressed deep concern over the repression of political opponents, journalists and human rights defenders. However, both Venezuela’s response and the statements by the Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations focused on purported double standards and the use of unilateral coercive measures, disingenuously trotting out the non-interference and territorial integrity principles.
Accountability
The ICJ regrets the attempts by some countries at this session to undermine accountability mechanisms by presenting them as political tools purportedly interfering in the internal affairs of the States concerned and encroaching upon their sovereignty. The human rights organization recalls that such spurious arguments contradict the international human rights law obligations freely agreed upon and undertaken by States and disregard the fact that, as the 1993 Vienna Declaration states, “the promotion and protection of all human rights is a legitimate concern of the international community”.
With regards to the situation in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime, the need for accountability was high on the HRC’s agenda throughout the 58th session. While many States, as well as OHCHR officials and members of the COI on the Syrian Arab Republic, hailed the end of the regime as a positive step for human rights in the country, there was also a consistent emphasis on the need for comprehensive and inclusive transitional justice and support for ongoing initial efforts toward justice and accountability for past crimes, as well as for any ongoing violations. During the interactive dialogue with the COI, its members reiterated that the situation remains volatile, and the international community will need to support the massive reconstruction efforts. Many States stressed the need for the transition processes to be Syrian-led and Syrian-owned, and expressed support for the country, noting as positive the presence of the interim government at the session.
In this regard, the ICJ particularly welcomes the adoption of the resolution on the situation in Syria, which encouraged the interim authorities to grant the COI necessary access throughout the country and to cooperate closely with the Commission. The ICJ also notes the authorities’ declared commitment to investigating the recent spate of violations and abuses, including through the newly established fact-finding committee to investigate the events in the west of the Syrian Arab Republic in March 2025. In this connection, the human rights organization called for investigations to be demonstrably independent, prompt, transparent and impartial.
While there was no specific resolution on Afghanistan at this session, the Council had the opportunity to hear from the Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan and from Afghan human rights defenders about the continued, egregious violations of international humanitarian law perpetrated by the Taliban. Like civil society allies and the UN Special Rapporteur himself, the ICJ reiterated its call for the establishment of an independent investigative mechanism, with a comprehensive accountability mandate supported by adequate means to investigate, collect and sustainably preserve evidence of violations committed by all perpetrators in the country. Given its specific focus on accountability, this mechanism would be distinct from, yet complementary to, the Rapporteur’s essential function of monitoring and reporting on human rights in the country. The ICJ thus welcomed the joint statement by a cross-regional coalition of States led by Iceland and including Chile, Costa Rica, Czechia, France, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mexico, Slovenia, Spain, South Africa and Switzerland calling upon all members of the Council to act upon the Special Rapporteur’s recommendation to create an “additional independent investigative mechanism with a comprehensive mandate and broad scope”.
As usual, a number of country situations were not on the agenda of the Council but would actually require much greater scrutiny. At the 58th session, the ICJ expressed particular concern on the situation in Tunisia and Eswatini among others, where attacks on independent judges and lawyers are a key manifestation of deepening authoritarianism in these countries.
Liquidity Crisis/Aid Cuts
During this session, the effect the liquidity crisis continued to have on accountability mechanisms and special procedure mandate holders addressing serious human rights situations in a number of countries was once again apparent. This crisis has greatly affected the ability of existing commissions of inquiries (COIs) and fact-finding missions (FFM) to fully and effectively implement their mandate, including by constraining their ability to travel or benefit from sufficient staff to support their crucial work. Recent abrupt cuts, in particular the freeze of all foreign aid from the United States, have further aggravated this situation, as well as the fate of persons and communities supported by civil society organizations funded by foreign aid. In light of this, the ICJ has used every occasion to remind States of their obligations to fulfill their financial commitments, including by providing the necessary resources to the mandates created by the Council.
In this regard, the ICJ salutes the resolutions on the situation in Belarus and Nicaragua which, respectively, renewed the mandates of the Special Rapporteur and Group of Independent Experts on Belarus, and the Group of Human Rights Expert on Nicaragua, and also insisted on the need for them to swiftly receive the appropriate assistance and resources necessary to pursue their indispensable functions in pursuit of accountability. The ICJ also welcomes the fact that the resolution on Myanmar recognized the terrible impact that the cuts in humanitarian funding have had on the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and across the region, by expressing grave concern that the gap between humanitarian needs and funding continues to grow.
The impact of the liquidity crisis and the withdrawal of critical support was also discussed during informal negotiations on the resolution renewing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism. While in the end the resolution is short, there was much debate about specific phrasing concerning the resources provided to the mandate. The ICJ participated in the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur, stressing the need for coordination and cooperation between civil society and regional systems to address counterterrorism laws that violate human rights and fundamental freedoms of civil society actors, highlighting in particular the situations in Venezuela and Eswatini. The ICJ reiterated the importance of the Special Rapporteur being adequately resourced in order to fully address these challenges.
Entrenched divergences of views in the middle of bridge-building efforts
The ICJ welcomes the adoption of several thematic resolutions without a vote, including on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment and oceans; human rights, democracy and the rule of law; women, diplomacy and human rights; landmines; and cultural heritage and cultural rights without a vote. The current international context may have encouraged some States to find areas where they could build bridges. For example, Portugal presented its biannual resolution of economic, social and cultural rights focusing on issues of financing for development, debt and taxation, and on the necessity to reform international financial institutions, which are all particularly important for many developing States. However, some thematic discussions where once again the space for the expression of some entrenched divergences of views and where ideological battles were fought.
This was particularly true for the issue of sanctions, which the current geopolitical context renders even more divisive than ever. Some States, including those who are under sanctions, pushed for the recognition of sanctions’ negative impact on the enjoyment of human rights, while other States, including EU member States, were of the view that not all sanctions were illegal and illegitimate, and that the discussion around this issue at the HRC was generally a distraction from the real issues and from focusing on the very human rights violations that sanctions are purportedly designed to address. In this regard, a specific resolution on the impact of unilateral coercive measures (UCM) led by the African Group could only be adopted by a vote and 16 States, mainly European, voted against. Intensive debates on this matter were also happening around amendments presented to two other resolutions with a view to their expressly mentioning the impact of UCM: the first was the biannual resolution on economic, social and cultural rights. This resolution had been adopted by consensus for decades. Despite the ultimately unsuccessful hostile amendment this year led by a small group of States, including Russia, DPRK and Eritrea, to include UCM in the text, the resolution could still be adopted without a vote, which the ICJ welcomes. The ICJ also salutes the fact that all amendments against the second resolution – this time on human rights defenders, to which several hostile amendments, including one to include UCM, were proposed by Russia and supported by others – could be defeated, and that the resolution could eventually be adopted without a vote.
Oral Statements
General Debate, Item 2: HRC58: ICJ Statement on the situation of human rights in Tunisia, Sri Lanka, and Guatemala
General Debate, Item 4: HRC58: ICJ statement on the human rights situation in Eswatini, Myanmar and Afghanistan
Belarus: HRC58: ICJ statement on human rights situation in Belarus
Venezuela: HRC58: ICJ statement on civil society repression and ongoing human rights violations in Venezuela
Counterterrorism: HRC58: ICJ statement on the use of counterterrorism laws to suppress dissent in Venezuela and Eswatini
Transitional Justice: HRC58: ICJ statement on OHCHR report, urging progress in transitional justice for Libya and Nepal
General Debate, Item 10: HRC58: The ICJ calls for urgent action on escalating human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the impact of the U.S. foreign aid pause
Watch
Side events
ICJ International Advocacy Director, Sandra Epal-Ratjen, spoke at a high-level event on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment
The ICJ organized a joint side-event on the situation in Tunisia
The ICJ co-sponsored the following events:
