HRC@20 - Side Event Track record of 20 years of standard setting by the HRC

Standard-setting remains one of the core functions of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC). To mark the 20th anniversary of the Council, this side event, titled 'From reflection to action', aims to highlight the concrete impact of recognised rights and explore why normative development will remain a critical function of the Council in the future.

Building upon the key takeaways from an expert roundtable held earlier in the day, this public event will assess the human rights protection impact of new standards, looking at their adoption in national laws and their enforcement.

Key issues

The discussion will focus on:

• Why standard-setting matters and the key role of the HRC.
• Achievements from the past 20 years, highlighting the concrete impact of adopted treaties and the recognition of rights.
• The future of standard-setting, identifying priority areas and remaining normative gaps.
• Lessons learned from successful processes to ensure the Council keeps responding to current needs.

Speakers

Opening: H.E. Mr. Iván Emilio de Jesús Ogando Lora, Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the UN in Geneva

• Peggy Hicks, Director of Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division, OHCHR
• Sandra Epal-Ratjen, International Advocacy Director, International Commission of Jurists, ICJ
• Sophie Kiladze, Chairperson of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
• H.E. Ms. Anita Pipan, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Slovenia to the United Nations Office in Geneva

Moderation: Felix Kirchmeier, Director, Geneva Human Rights Hub 

Organisers

Geneva Human Rights Hub (GHRH) in collaboration with International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT), FIAN Switzerland, Convention against Enforced Disappearances Initiative (CEDI), Amnesty International and the Permanent Missions of Maldives, France, Costa Rica, Slovenia and Dominican Republic.