After High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet’s departure and with her successor, Volker Türk, not yet in office, the session was opened by Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif. She emphasised the many situations raising grave concerns and requiring urgent action, particularly in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Nicaragua, South Sudan, Sri Lanka and Ukraine.

At this last ordinary session of the year 2022, the HRC also adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in Russia, which had been supported by Switzerland. This resolution led to the creation of a mandate of a special rapporteur, the holder of which will submit a written report to the HRC at its 54th session, after being nominated at the 52nd session in March 2023.

On the other hand, the HRC rejected a decision on the human rights situation in Xinjiang. Switzerland had supported the text, and regrets the outcome of the vote. Switzerland does not have the right to vote in the HRC because it is currently not a member of this body.

Swiss-led resolution adopted by consensus

A resolution presented by Switzerland with Argentina and Morocco on human rights and transitional justice was adopted by consensus. The resolution stresses the importance of dealing with the past, and recalls that the four pillars of transitional justice – namely truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence – are necessary to fight impunity and break cycles of crisis repetition, and can promote sustainable development.

Switzerland also supported a joint declaration by several states on Nicaragua and Ukraine. It contributed actively and put forward its positions in discussions on Afghanistan, China, Ethiopia, Russia, Syria and Venezuela, among others.

This article is based on a press release of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.