Item 5:Effective and transparent exchange in informal consultations

Item 5: Report of the Forum on Busness and Human Rights followed by General Debate. Joint statement on effective and transparent exchange in informal consultations. Statement, 27 June 2018.

As delivered by Brazil.

Mr. President,

 I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of a cross-regional group of X States.

We recognize the mandated role of this Council to address situations of violations of human rights, including gross and systematic violations, and to act to prevent them from happening. The Council is also mandated to promote universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind and in a fair and equal manner.

In performing such functions, the work of the Council should be guided by the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity. Dialogue is important to understand the challenges states may face to fully implement their human rights obligations and to guide the Council to make meaningful recommendations with regard to the promotion and protection of human rights.

By actively seeking broad and transparent dialogue and engagement in all resolutions, be them country specific or thematic, between all interested delegations, including the concerned country, the Council can improve its efficiency and the sustainability of solutions, contributing to our collective efforts in this regard.

It is crucial to ensure that consultations are carried out in a transparent, inclusive and open manner, according sufficient time for all views to be considered, including those of delegations that, given the significant increase of workload they face during Council’s sessions, find it difficult, if not impossible, to contribute to the development of important discussions.

In this regard, we call on proponents of substantive resolutions, regardless of their agenda item, to circulate the drafts as early as possible and to endeavor to hold at least two open-ended informal consultations, to enable the HRC to fully discharge its mandate as a global forum.

In undertaking this voluntary pledge, we believe we can contribute to honour the spirit and letter of the mandate of the Council. It is an opportunity to improve the decision making process of this body and help close the implementation gap.

Thank you.