IBAHRI at the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council: takeaways
With the conclusion of the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), held from 24 February – 4 April 2025, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) reflects on the key discussions and outcomes, the side events held and the resolutions passed.
Highlights of the 58th session of the UNHRC and the IBAHRI’s engagement:
Under the spotlight
Enhancing international accountability and supporting the International Criminal Court (ICC) – the role of the UNHRC
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and the IBA International Criminal Court and International Criminal Law (ICC & ICL) Programme convened high-level officials of the ICC and the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) with state representatives in Geneva in March 2025 to discuss the role that the UNHRC can play to promote accountability for international crimes through strengthened support for the ICC. This discussion took place at a side event during the 58th session of the UNHRC (UNHRC 58) organised with Belgium and co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Chile and Sierra Leone. The panel included the Executive Director International Bar Association (IBA) Dr Mark Ellis; the President of the ICC’s ASP, HE Ambassador Päivi Kaukoranta; ICC Registrar, Osvaldo Zavala Giler; and ICC Deputy Prosecutor, Nazhat Shameem Khan. The event was moderated by HE Ambassador Christophe Payot, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the UN and international institutions in Geneva. Experts, state representatives and civil society organisations took part in the discussion. Read more here.
The IBAHRI issued two statements condemning the recent attacks against the ICC by the United States government and calling for the UNHRC to continue supporting the Court in its vital work ensuring justice for victims of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The first statement, delivered by IBAHRI and the International Association of Judges, can be viewed here. The second statement, co-signed by multiple organisations including IBAHRI, Law Council of Australia and LAWASIA, is available here.
In the same vein, IBAHRI welcomed the timely and important joint statement from the Friends of Multilateralism Group (coordinated by Albania, Chile, Kyrgyzstan and the Netherlands) on the importance of multilateral human rights cooperation. As international human rights laws and institutions face unprecedented erosion, the Group has brought together over 70 states from around the world to recommit to human rights, the international rule of law and multilateral cooperation, including by increased financial and political investment in human rights and multilateralism. Commitments that are essential to peace, justice, and sustainable and inclusive development at the national and global levels.
Accountability for Ukraine
The IBAHRI welcomed the adoption of a new resolution on Ukraine, re-mandating the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine (COI). The new resolution gives additional attention to the huge challenges faced by children, as Russia furthers its child-focused campaign of forced russification, indoctrination and militarisation across all Ukraine's occupied territories. The IBAHRI has actively participated and contributed to the resolution and welcomed the strength of the messages relating to accountability for Ukraine.
The IBAHRI commended the work of the COI on Ukraine and is appalled at the findings included in its most recent report, indicating that the COI ‘has concluded that Russian authorities committed enforced disappearances and torture as crimes against humanity. Both were perpetrated as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population and pursuant to a coordinated state policy.’ During the interactive dialogue with the COI, the IBAHRI condemned the ongoing widespread violations of international human rights and humanitarian law amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity in the course of the Russian aggression against Ukraine; ongoing attacks on civilians and civilian objects; indiscriminate use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas; forced deportation; coordinated ‘widespread and systematic’ use of torture; and incommunicado detentions and enforced disappearances perpetrated by Russian forces. The IBAHRI urged all states to support the ICC in ensuring accountability for Russia’s crimes and called for the continued renewal of the COI mandate.
In a joint statement during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, the IBAHRI, together with the Ukrainian Bar Association (UBA), drew attention to challenges facing the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) and transitional justice in conflict situations – particularly in Ukraine, given the impact of the war on many sectors, including the justice system. Violations of social and economic rights due to the Russian war have considerably affected any transitional justice effort. Destruction of infrastructure, forced displacement, unemployment and economic instability, limited access to basic needs, as well as deterioration of mental health conditions among people in Ukraine have exacerbated inequalities, hindered economic recovery and complicated efforts to achieve comprehensive justice. The IBAHRI and UBA called on the UNHRC, through international cooperation, to enhance support for Ukraine’s justice reform and accountability efforts by considering technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives, as well as financial resources, to ensure the sustainability and independence of Ukraine’s judicial institutions. This would aid in strengthening Ukraine’s prosecutorial and investigative capacities, particularly in documenting and adjudicating war crimes cases.
Attacks against independent lawyers in Belarus
The IBAHRI welcomed the adoption of a new resolution on the human rights situation in Belarus, to which the IBAHRI has substantially contributed. The resolution renews the mandate for both the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus and the Group of Independent Experts on the Human Rights Situation in Belarus (GIE). The resolution includes systematic references to attacks against lawyers and highlights the continued deterioration in the human rights situation in Belarus, as well as the increasing acts of transnational repression carried out by the authorities against Belarusians forced into exile.
The IBAHRI welcomed the first report of the GIE and appreciates the inclusion of references to systemic attacks against independent lawyers, the lack of judicial independence, and the difficulty of seeking and obtaining justice domestically. The report highlights that the Belarusian government remains firmly dedicated to eradicating expressions of dissent in the country through arbitrary arrests, including of lawyers. These arbitrary arrests are typically accompanied by torture or ill-treatment. During the interactive dialogue with the GIE on Belarus, the IBAHRI, the Belarusian Association of Human Rights Lawyers, the Law Society of England and Wales, Lawyers for Lawyers and Lawyers Rights Watch Canada (LRWC) kept condemning reprisals against independent and human rights lawyers and urged Belarus to release all those arbitrarily detained – including lawyers – and cease their targeting. The IBAHRI urged other states to join Lithuania’s ICC referral.
UNHRC 58 country-specific takeaways – alphabetical order
Urgent need to intensify efforts for ensuring accountability for atrocities in Afghanistan
The IBAHRI welcomed the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan. The report stresses that, in the almost four years since the Taliban seized power, the human rights situation has been in steady decline in Afghanistan – in particular for women and girls. During the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur, in a joint statement delivered by LRWC, the IBAHRI welcomed the ICC arrest warrants for Taliban leaders and condemned the UNHRC’s failure to appropriately respond to the gravity of the situation. The IBAHRI and LRWC urged the establishment of an independent, gender-responsive accountability mechanism to document past and present international crimes, including gender persecution.
In addition, the IBAHRI welcomed a joint statement on Afghanistan by a cross-regional group of states led by Iceland, with support from Chile and South Africa, urging the UNHRC to take action to advance accountability in Afghanistan and calling for an independent investigative mechanism with a comprehensive mandate and broad scope to support criminal accountability. The IBAHRI firmly believes that the UNHRC must act without any further delay to ensure accountability for all violations and justice for victims, and to prevent future abuses.
UNHRC failed to address the situation in China
The IBAHRI continues to condemn the UNHRC’s lack of action towards serious human rights violations in China committed by the government and the failure to address long-standing recommendations included in the report by the Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights. It is imperative that the UNHRC takes action and establishes a monitoring and reporting mechanism on China, as also called for by over 40 UN experts since 2020. In an oral statement, the IBAHRI expressed deep concern regarding the treatment of the Uyghur community in Xinjiang. The IBAHRI underscored the failure of the UNHRC to adequately address the findings of a former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stressing that gross human rights violations in Xinjiang may amount to crimes against humanity. The IBAHRI called on the UNHRC to urgently convene an in-depth discussion on the findings and the necessary responses.
Atrocities in Eritrea
In an oral statement during the enhanced interactive dialogue on Eritrea, the IBAHRI expressed deep concern over reports of escalating tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Emphasising the gravity of atrocity crimes committed in recent years, particularly by Eritrean forces in Tigray, the IBAHRI highlighted ongoing human rights violations, including sexual violence, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial executions and widespread looting.
Co-opted justice system in Guatemala
In a joint oral statement delivered by the IBAHRI, the International Platform against Impunity (Plataforma Internacional contra la Impunidad) and the ACTuando Juntas Jotay Program expressed concerns about the justice system in Guatemala, the misuse of criminal law to attack legal professionals and the co-optation of the judicial system. The IBAHRI urged that the 2026 elections of the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court and Attorney General be held according to international standards and be observed by an international mission. The IBAHRI urged the UNHRC to continue monitoring the situation of the justice system in Guatemala.
Extended scope of investigations in Iran
The IBAHRI welcomed the adoption of a resolution broadening the mandate of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran to allow it to investigate any recent or ongoing crimes against humanity, beyond the repression of the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement. The expanded mandate represents a spark of hope for victims, survivors and their families, that investigations might lead to judicial proceedings and an end to systemic impunity for gross violations of human rights in Iran. The resolution also renewed the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran for another year, emphasising the need for a holistic approach, including reporting, intervening urgently, investigating, carrying out legal analysis and identifying those responsible to ensure real prospects for human rights, justice, truth and reparation in Iran. The IBAHRI co-sponsored a side event organised by Impact Iran on seeking justice for survivors of the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement in Iran.
Myanmar in rubble and the forgotten war – the international community must act fast
The IBAHRI welcomed the adoption of a resolution on the human rights situation in Myanmar, which the IBAHRI has closely followed. Its consensus adoption signals global condemnation of the Myanmar military and an unequivocal demand to end its escalating violence against those resisting its attempts to take power in the country. However, the rising civilian death toll, mass displacement and destruction of vital infrastructure – worsened by the earthquake on 28 March 2025 – underscore the urgent need for action. The international community must act fast with concrete measures: scaling up humanitarian aid; cutting the military’s access to weapons, jet fuel and resources; and ensuring accountability for all perpetrators to end the ongoing conflict and impunity.
The IBAHRI welcomed the work of the Special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, and condemns the worsening of the human rights situation, as also highlighted by the Special Rapporteur in its findings, now further worsened by the earthquake. Widespread reporting states the military junta is carrying out an unprecedented number of airstrikes on civilian villages, executing civilians en masse, perpetrating widespread sexual violence and burning countless civilian structures. Since the 2021 coup, millions have been displaced, half the population has fallen into poverty, the number of political prisoners is at a record high and the rates of tuberculosis, malaria and cholera have risen.
During the interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner oral update on Myanmar, in a joint statement delivered by the IBAHRI and co-sponsored by the Law Council of Australia, Lawyers for Lawyers, and LRWC, the organisations condemned the ongoing atrocity crimes being committed in Myanmar and continued to urge:
1) the High Commissioner and the UNHRC to respond robustly to the deepening crisis in Myanmar; and
2) the international community to use and support all possible avenues to ensure accountability for all international crimes that are being committed.
Nicaragua’s isolation
The IBAHRI welcomes the resolution renewing the mandate of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua (GEN), to which IBAHRI has substantially and actively contributed. The IBAHRI firmly condemns Nicaragua’s withdrawal from the UNHRC (as well as from the International Labour Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Organization for Migration). The IBAHRI welcomes that the resolution mandates the GEN to present its findings annually to the UN General Assembly in New York. The IBAHRI also calls on Nicaragua to address urgently deportation and other ongoing crimes against humanity, transnational repression, deprivation of nationality and statelessness, and human rights violations targeting political prisoners, human rights defenders, Indigenous Peoples and those of African descent.
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) – stronger accountability actions needed
The IBAHRI welcomed the adoption by consensus of the resolution on the human rights situation in the DPRK which renews the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the DPRK and condemns the long-standing and ongoing systematic, widespread and gross human rights abuses committed in the DPRK. The IBAHRI calls on the DPRK government to institute comprehensive reforms, end all abuses and ensure accountability.
The IBAHRI welcomed the work of the Special Rapporteur and the report stressing that the situation in the DPRK is made worse by the country’s isolationist position, the restricted exchange of information and the absence of international monitoring. The DPRK government continues to introduce laws that further restrict the enjoyment of the rights to freedom of movement, work, expression and opinion. Many of the recently introduced restrictive laws include death penalty provisions. In an oral statement on the DPRK, the IBAHRI expressed concern that more than a decade after the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the DPRK findings, many of its recommendations remain unimplemented – with the human rights situation in the country among the worst globally. The IBAHRI condemned the fact that, despite the Commission of Inquiry’s recommendation for states to refer the situation to the ICC, no such action has been taken. The IBAHRI called on the UNHRC to intensify efforts to end ongoing crimes against humanity and support accountability measures, including seriously considering an ICC referral.
Collapse of the rule of law in the US
In a joint statement delivered by LRWC, the IBAHRI, along with the Law Society of England and Wales, and Lawyers for Lawyers, expressed alarm at threats to the independence of judges, prosecutors and lawyers in the US, with judges being discredited and facing moves for impeachment in retaliation for rulings the government deems unfavourable. Lawyers from the US Department of Justice are facing dismissals, demotions and intimidation due to their previous work and several prosecutors have resigned following instructions to drop charges in a notable corruption case. Executive orders have revoked security clearance and access for several law firms to government buildings in retaliation for their work – which the government finds unfavourable. Immigration detainees have been denied timely access to lawyers, and some have been subjected to enforced disappearances and deportations without due process and/or in violation of judicial orders. The organisations urged the US to ensure compliance with court orders and end the vilification, harassment and threats to the judiciary.
Ongoing crackdown in Venezuela
During the interactive dialogue with the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the IBAHRI delivered a statement co-sponsored by Lawyers for Lawyers, the Law Society of England and Wales, and LRWC. The organisations condemned the crackdown on dissent, the shrinking of civic space and the arbitrary detention of those who exercise fundamental freedoms. The IBAHRI called for the immediate and unconditional release of all those arbitrarily detained in Venezuela.
Thematic issues that were addressed by the UNHRC and IBAHRI’s contributions
The key role of an independent and impartial judiciary in death penalty cases
In a joint oral statement, delivered alongside the Law Council of Australia during the Biennial High-Level Panel on the Death Penalty, the IBAHRI highlighted the indispensability of independent, impartial and competent judiciaries in ensuring strict adherence to fair trial rights, due process guarantees and application of the law in conformity with international human rights law and standards. Any violation of fair trial guarantees renders a death sentence arbitrary and in violation of international law, as are mandatory death sentences. The IBAHRI and the Law Council of Australia, opposing the death penalty under all circumstances, called for international abolition and, in the interim, for all retentionist states to commit to an immediate moratorium on executions and to commute existing death sentences.
Torture, hostage-taking and a torture-free trade
The IBAHRI welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, which focuses on state hostage-taking and stresses increasing trends in this practice which demand international attention. During the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur, the IBAHRI joined a joint oral statement by the World Organisation Against Torture on behalf of the United Against Torture Consortium expressing deep concern over widespread violations of the right to be free from torture and other ill-treatment in the context of protest. The past year and early months of 2025 saw harsh crackdowns on protests around the world. Repressive policing has been accompanied by an increasing use of crowd-control weapons, including, in some cases, former military-grade weaponry – leading to severe and lasting injuries. The statement urged all Member States to prevent torture and ill-treatment, ensure accountability, and provide reparation and rehabilitation. It also commended the Alliance for Torture-Free Trade for its work and called on States to actively support the creation of a torture-free trade treaty.
Human rights defenders further challenged by new and emerging technologies
The IBAHRI welcomed the substantive resolution on human rights defenders and new and emerging technologies, to which it has contributed. The resolution crucially covers new ground and further develops States’ obligations to protect human rights defenders in the digital age. The reference to transnational repression referred to in the resolution is particularly welcomed by the IBAHRI.
Counter-terrorism and human rights
The adoption of a resolution to extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism is welcomed by the IBAHRI. However, it is regrettable that the UNHRC did not enhance its engagement with relevant intergovernmental processes relating to counter-terrorism and human rights (particularly as a member of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact) and to provide technical advice to the periodic review of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
UNHRC 58 – other resolutions and initiatives
The IBAHRI welcomed the adoption of other resolutions including: the extension of the mandate of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic within the current resolution, which was adopted by consensus for the first time; a resolution on human rights, democracy and the rule of law focusing on education for civic participation, empowering future generations, fostering knowledge and critical thinking; a resolution on right to freedom of religion or belief; and a strong resolution on the human rights situation in South Sudan, which extends the mandate of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan.
ENDS
For further information, please contact: the IBA Human Rights Institute at IBAHRI@int-bar.org or Francesca.Restifo@int-bar.org
Notes to the reader:
- The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), established in 1995 under Founding Honorary President Nelson Mandela, is an autonomous entity working to promote, protect and enforce human rights under a just rule of law, and to preserve the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession worldwide.
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- The International Bar Association (IBA), the global voice of the legal profession, is the foremost organisation for international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. Established in 1947, shortly after the creation of the United Nations, with the aim of protecting and promoting the rule of law globally, the IBA was born out of the conviction that an organisation made up of the world's bar associations could contribute to global stability and peace through the administration of justice.
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Website page link for this news release:
Short link: tinyurl.com/mr4vh78p
Full link: www.ibanet.org/IBAHRI-at-the-58th-session-of-the-United-Nations-Human-Rights-Council-takeaways