UN – 37th session of the Human Rights Council (27 March 2018)

France took part in the 37th session of the Human Rights Council, which ended on March 23.

Its work focused in particular on the situation in Syria, with a discussion on the situation in Eastern Ghouta. They were able to renew the mandate of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry to combat impunity.

Together with its EU partners, France also supported a resolution on the troubling human rights situation in Myanmar, especially for members of the Rohingya minority. This resolution asks the secretary general to allocate the necessary resources for a fact-finding mission and to renew the mandate of the special rapporteur, the subject of a vote called for by China.

Several important mandates were renewed (independent experts on the human rights situation in Mali, special rapporteur for human rights in Iran, human rights commission in South Sudan).

A number of texts including French priorities were adopted: the rights of children in humanitarian crises, the prevention of torture, terrorism and human rights, cultural rights and protection of the cultural heritage, human rights in the field of the environment.

France is a candidate for the human rights council for the three-year term of 2021-2023.