Geneva: The United Nations Human Right Council (UNHRC) is expected to discuss the state of human rights and freedoms in violence-hit countries including Venezuela during its 40th session commencing on Monday (local time) in Geneva. An interactive discussion on Venezuela is scheduled for March 11, reported TASS.
During the first three days of the session, senior officials from more than 90 states and international as well as regional organisations will highlight human rights issues of national and international interest and concern. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres President of the UN General Assembly Maria Fernanda Espinosa, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet are expected to make remarks in the opening session on February 25.
The council will also discuss the Human Right condition in Syria, Myanmar, South Sudan, Yemen, Ukraine and Sri Lanka. According to the reports, the council will review over 120 reports on a wide range of issues presented by more than 25 human rights expert, groups and mechanisms.
The council will take actions on decisions and resolutions on March 21 and 22 before concluding the session. Constituted in 2006, the UNHRC is an inter-governmental body with the UN system. Present President of the Human Rights Council is Coly Seck.
Recently, violence broke out in Venezuela which is crippled due to the political crisis since January. Various countries including the United States have accused the Venezuelan government of stalling humanitarian aid from reaching people. Thousands of people took to streets protesting against the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s regime. However, Maduro has dismissed claims of a humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.
