GENEVA (23 March 2016) – The Human Rights Council this morning held separate interactive dialogues with Gustavo Gallà³n, Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti, and with Suliman Baldo, Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Mali. It also concluded its interactive dialogue on the situation of human rights in South Sudan.
Presenting his [report on Haiti](https://reliefweb.int/node/1438331/), Mr. Gallà³n focused on the following issues: illiteracy, prolonged arbitrary detention, absence of elections, impunity for past crimes, and the situation of victims of natural disasters. He noted that the current governance difficulties in Haiti had to be addressed in a persistent manner and with concrete solutions. The rights of Haitian women had to be given priority since they were particularly vulnerable in the country.
Haiti, speaking as the concerned country, stated that a number of measures had been initiated to hold elections, and to deal with pre-trial detention through the modification of laws. Regarding illiteracy, measures had been undertaken but the process was ongoing and it required resources. Other measures had been undertaken on strengthening the credibility of the judiciary and countering the problem of statelessness and registration of children.
In the ensuing discussion speakers urged Haiti to work closely with the Independent Expert to implement recommendations, and emphasised the necessity of combatting pre-trial detention and impunity. There was a need to advance the rule of law and security in Haiti as better access to justice and strengthening of the prison system were key to bringing about progress. Haiti’s efforts to promote sustainable development and to eradicate cholera deserved greater support.
Speaking were European Union, Dominican Republic on behalf of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean Countries, Brazil on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti, Spain, United States, Chile, Cuba, France, United Kingdom, Morocco, Brazil, China, and Venezuela.
Also taking the floor were the following civil society organizations: United Nations Watch, International Federation for Human Rights Leagues, International Association of Democratic Lawyers, and Human Rights Watch.
Presenting his [report on Mali](https://reliefweb.int/node/1403056/), Mr. Baldo underlined the great challenges faced by Mali in the fields of governance, security, and reform of the judiciary to combat impunity. He shared his preoccupation about the intensification of attacks against civilians, the Malian armed forces, and forces of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in the centre and south of the country. Increased inter-community violence, drug trafficking and other organized crime were also of concern and that situation prevented refugees and displaced persons from safe returns.
Mali, speaking as the concerned country, stated that the country had made progress, notably by having signed in May and June 2015 the Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation in Mali, as a result of the Algiers Process. The Government of Mali was currently taking measures to fight impunity through a systematic opening of judiciary information in all cases of violations.
In the ensuing discussion speakers welcomed Mali’s progress in favour of peace, including the release of some political prisoners and the signing of a Peace and Reconciliation Agreement. Speakers, however, noted with concern that the security situation had deteriorated in some parts of the country, affecting civilians and international peacekeepers and preventing refugees from returning safely. Mali was encouraged to engage in security and justice sector reforms in order to ensure accountability for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes committed since the beginning of the crisis, including sexual violence by security forces.
Speaking were South Africa on behalf of the African Group, European Union, Estonia, Spain, Norway, Belgium, United States, Togo, France, New Zealand, Denmark, Côte d’Ivoire, Sudan, Gabon, Djibouti, Algeria, Benin, Ghana, Senegal, Morocco, Chad, United Kingdom, Congo, Botswana, Egypt, and China.
Also speaking were International Catholic Child Bureau, FIDH, United Nations Watch, and Rencontre africaine pour la défense des droits de l’homme.
At the beginning of the meeting the Council concluded the interactive dialogue on the situation of human rights in South Sudan, which started on Tuesday, 22 March. A summary can be read here.
During the dialogue speakers regretted the relapse of South Sudan into civil strife as the process of consolidating State institutions had just begun, and appealed to the international community to extend its full support to the country, including in the implementation of transitional justice.
In his concluding remarks, Ivan Šimonović, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, noted that it was extremely important to note the commitment of the Human Rights Council to be involved in the prevention of continued violations in South Sudan, the issue of accountability to help break the vicious cycle, and ensuring a democratic space that would help the establishment and functioning of the transitional government.
Speaking were Mozambique, China, France, Ghana, Albania, Angola, Switzerland, United States, and New Zealand.
Also taking the floor were the following civil society organizations: International Federation of Human Rights Leagues, Human Rights Watch, East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Projects, International Service for Human Rights, and Arab Commission for Human Rights.
The Council will next meet at 1.30 p.m. to hold a general debate on technical assistance and capacity building, and to hear the presentation of country reports of the Secretary-General and High Commissioner for Human Rights, followed by a general debate.