Working closely with civil society partners from the Network of Human Rights Houses and beyond, we drew attention to several ongoing human rights crises in the region. Key priorities included advocating for a strengthened resolution on Russia, and a renewal of the Special Rapporteur’s mandate, as well as keeping the situation in Georgia high on the Council’s agenda. We also worked to shine a spotlight on colleagues unjustly detained, including Network members behind bars in Azerbaijan and Belarus.

Dave Elseroad, Head of Advocacy, Human Rights House Foundation

Georgia: Maintaining focus on a worsening crackdown

On the sidelines of HRC60, HRHF urged the UN Human Rights Council to maintain scrutiny on Georgia, arguing that continued reporting from the High Commissioner, focused on the whole of the country, is essential, alongside robust engagement with authorities to repeal repressive laws, end politically-motivated prosecutions, and ensure accountability for violations.

HRHF co-sponsored and moderated the side event “Georgia: Civil Society Under Attack” on 23 September, featuring Georgian and international civil society speakers, providing a platform for discussing strategies to protect and support Georgia’s civil society under attack. 

Russia: Renewing indispensable Special Rapporteur mandate amidst domestic violations and repressions abroad

On 7 October, the UN Human Rights Council extended the mandate of the  Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Russian Federation for another year. The renewal of this mandate was a key priority for HRHF’s advocacy at HRC60. HRHF argued that the mandate is indispensable in the country, which now has over 1000 political prisoners, according to Memorial. HRHF had also joined multiple INGOs ahead of HRC60 in calling for the renewal of the Special Rapporteur’s mandate. 

On 26 September, HRHF hosted a side event on Russia and transnational repression with a panel of Russian civil society outlining the link between the human rights situation within the Russian Federation and the impunity with which it acts abroad, including through acts of transnational repression, and exploring ways the HRC can seek to address these challenges. 

The Human Rights Council adopted a strengthened resolution on the human rights situation in Russia on 7 October, and HRHF also continued its work with partners from Human Rights House Crimea to highlight Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine. 

Ukraine: Highlighting abuses in Russian-occupied territories

HRHF highlighted new documentation from Ukrainian partners ZMINA detailing the suppression of civilians and the extension of Russia’s legal system into the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. HRHF also echoed reports of atrocities by Russia’s armed forces, including the deliberate and systematic use of sexual violence.

In an interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner, HRHF welcomed the High Commissioner’s continued reporting on the human rights situation across Ukraine, including in occupied Crimea. During its statement, HRHF amplified Crimean Human Rights Group’s assessment that after more than a decade of occupation, civic space in Crimea has been entirely erased, transforming the peninsula into a “prison” for those who live there.

Belarus: Supporting the advocacy of Network members and highlighting political prisoners

On 15 September, the Belarusian Helsinki Committee hosted a side event at the Human Rights Council, the first time a Belarusian civil society organisation has done so in the Council’s 18-year history. “Crimes against humanity in Belarus” was co-sponsored by Human Rights House Foundation and featured a panel of Belarusian civil society experts outlining evidence, assessment, and the road to accountability. 

In an interactive dialogue with the Belarus Group of Independent Experts during HRC60, Human Rights House Foundation welcomed the Expert’s conference room paper, as well as once again raising the situation for over 1000 political prisoners in the country, including Ales Bialiatski, Uladzimir Labkovich, Valiantsin Stefanovic, Marfa Rabkova and Nasta Loika, and calling for their release.

Condemning reprisals against human rights defenders

In a statement on reprisals, HRHF raised concern over emblematic cases of retaliation against civil society for engaging with the Human Rights Council. HRHF drew attention to the politically motivated detention of Azerbaijani human rights defender Anar Mammadli, who remains behind bars for his peaceful advocacy, and to the Russian authorities’ designation of HRHF itself as an “undesirable organisation”. HRHF urged the Council to protect those who cooperate with UN mechanisms from intimidation or punishment.

Armenia: Protecting civil society and tackling SLAPPs

In the context of Armenia’s Universal Periodic Review, HRHF and Human Rights House Yerevan urged the Armenian authorities to investigate attacks against civil society and tackle disproportionate use of force at assemblies, and to address the growing threat of SLAPPs (Strategic lawsuits against public participation).

All HRC60 statements and events

Statements

Side events

Thanks to donors

Human Rights House Foundation’s work would not be possible without the generous support of its donors. HRHF thanks the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Swiss Federal Department for Foreign Affairs for supporting its advocacy work, including at the UN Human Rights Council.

Contact

Advocacy, Human Rights House Foundation
advocacy@humanrightshouse.org