Key votes during the 56th UN Human Rights Council

Comparatively few resolutions were adopted during the 56th UN Human Rights Council, which was held in Geneva from June 18 to July 12. Of the 25 texts adopted, only three were put to the vote: the extension of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea and two long-standing and contentious initiatives on international cooperation and international solidarity. The much-discussed resolution of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on combating religious hatred that incites discrimination, hostility or violence was withdrawn shortly before the end of the session. A total of 30 amendments were tabled against other resolutions, in particular by Russia, for example against texts on HIV/AIDS, the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and girls or on human rights in the context of peaceful protests. However, they were either rejected or withdrawn. Among the texts adopted was a resolution mandating an an open-ended intergovernmental working group with preparing a draft optional protocol on the right to education for the Convention on the Rights of the Child. For the first time, the Council also adopted a resolution introduced by Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru on the impact of plastic pollution on the full enjoyment of human rights.