HRC 47th Session: General Comment on the draft Decision “Strengthening documentation within the Human Rights Council”

12 July, 2021

HRC 47^th Session: Decisions and conclusions

General Comment on the draft Decision “Strengthening documentation within the Human Rights Council” (A/HRC/47/L.28/Rev.1)

Delivered by H.E. Andranik HOVHANNISYAN, Permanent Representative

President,

Armenia appreciates the initiative of Egypt, Indonesia, Nigeria, Philippines and Senegal to address the challenges of smaller and medium size delegations while following up the work of this august Council and its mechanisms. Serving Armenia’s first term in this Council, I know well how difficult and sometimes aggravating it is to track down the positions of various States regarding the numerous resolutions adopted over time.

In this context, Armenia thanks the core group for raising this issue, as well as all delegations that engaged and contributed to this very important discussion. Our understanding is that issues at hand have been meticulously discussed and many suggestions have been accommodated. In this context, we would like to thank the core group for transparent process of informal consultations.

We are convinced that promotion and protection of all human rights should be guided by the principles of impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, in the spirit of constructive international dialogue and cooperation, as it is defined by the mandate of this Council. Therefore, Armenia strongly believes that all issues related to the procedure, decision-making and institution-building of this Council should be considered in a process of thorough, meticulous, transparent, open and all-inclusive informal and formal consultations.

Such deliberations do not need to be entirely held in the course of the regular sessional activities of the Council. In our view, they can also take place in the periods in between the regular sessional and other mandated meetings of the HRC. The major objective for it should be spelling out all possible concerns and reaching a shared understanding and vision for the issues discussed.

Armenia is convinced that issues related to the procedure, decision-making and institution-building of this Council should be agreed in a consensual manner and never be voted and imposed upon. Therefore, we are looking forward to a consensual adoption of this decision.

Finally, Armenia takes this opportunity to call upon the President, Bureau, fellow HRC member and observer States to spare no effort in consolidating transparency and trust in our work in order to prevent any concerns and doubts about procedural issues to have an adverse effect on the deliberations and outcomes of the work of this august Council.

I thank you.

MFA RA
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