Update from Geneva: Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the UN Human Rights Council, Fall 2014

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the 27th session of the Human Rights Council
8 – 26 September 2014

The 27th session of the Human Rights Council saw States considering a broad range of economic, social and cultural rights and associated issues.

The session included the first interaction, including a meeting with civil society, of the new High Commissioner for Human Rights and provided insights into his views related to economic, social and cultural rights as well as his mandate generally.

Special Procedures mandate holders in relation to the the Rights to Water and Sanitation and the Implications for Human Rights of the Environmentally Sound Management and Disposal of Hazardous Substances and Wastes presented their most recent reports.  On water and sanitation, the Special Rapporteur released her report on violations of the human rights to water and sanitation, which is useful to identifying violations of economic, social and cultural rights generally, as well as the ‘Handbook for realising the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation’ which provided practical content on how to implement the rights to water and sanitation.

Other relevant issues that received attention were human rights related to sexual orientation and gender identity, human rights in the context of debt and vulture capitalists, the right to development, local governments and human rights, and the protection of civil society space.

For a detailed report on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the 27th session of the Human Rights Council see HERE.