Suspended 43rd session of UN rights body to resume

The 43rd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council, suspended on March 13 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will esume next week in Geneva, an official statement said here.

The resumed session will last from June 15-19 to discuss topics ranging from human rights mechanisms to technical assistance and capacity building in the human rights field, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying on Friday.

The resumed session will also consider the report of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action.

In order to further reduce risks of virus transmission, all persons physically present inside the conference rooms during the session will be required to wear a face-covering mask, in addition to observing physical distancing.

According to the UN rights office in Geneva, because of an open letter sent by the African Group of States, an "urgent debate" on racism-related topics may also be discussed during the 43rd session.

The UN Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the UN system, made up of 47 States which are responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.

( With inputs from IANS )