The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is a United Nations body whose mission is to promote and protect human rights around the world. The UNHRC has 47 members elected for staggered three-year terms on a regional group basis.The 38th session of the UNHRC began June 18, 2018. It will end on July 7, 2018. The UNHRC is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
The UNHRC investigates allegations of breaches of human rights in UN member states, and addresses important thematic human rights issues such as freedom of association and assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of belief and religion, women's rights, LGBT rights, and the rights of racial and ethnic minorities.
The issue of Forced Displacement of Refugeesand Integration will be discussed.
The Refugee situation: The number of people displaced as a result of conflict, persecution and human rights violations has increased significantly in recent years. Among them are nearly 22.5 million refugees, over half of whom are under the age of 18. The Refugee issue has been ongoing for many years, and has gotten worse in recent years making it one that needs to be addressed. More needs to be done to maintain regional peace and stability, deliver humanitarian aid and protect refugees by ensuring that they are able to seek shelter and protection in various states.
Integrating Refugees:
How can it be done? When refugees are unable or unwilling to return back to their country of origin, a plausible solution would be to settle down in the country they are seeking refuge in. However, if uncontrolled, an influx of refugees seeking asylum in host countries can be problematic as it may cause economic, social and cultural implications. The failure to integrate refugees may result in several impacts on the economy and the rise of xenophobia in host countries due to different cultures, languages and race. There may also be security concerns, widespread panic and possibly segregated societies as a result of divided opinions. An influx of refugees seeking asylum in host countries can be problematic, with too many concerns and issues that makes us reconsider. Silence will only cause the exacerbation of this problem.
What can countries do to help the situation? Figures showed that, worldwide, most refugees – 84 per cent – were in developing or middle-income countries at the end of 2016, with one in every three (4.9 million people) being hosted by the world’s least developed countries. This huge imbalance reflects several things including the lack of consensus internationally when it comes to hosting refugees, and the proximity of many poor countries to regions of conflict. It also illustrates the need for countries and communities supporting refugees and other displaced people to be properly resourced and supported, the absence of which can cause instability, have consequences for life-saving humanitarian work or lead to secondary displacement.
Economic and social council
The ECOSOC is at the heart of the United Nations system to advance the three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social and environmental. ECOSOC coordinates the economic and social work of the United Nations. As the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues and for formulating policy recommendations, the Council plays a key role in fostering international cooperation for development. It also consults with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), thereby maintaining a vital link between the United Nations and civil society. The Council has 54 members, elected by the General Assembly for three-year terms.
The Issue ofEffects of Globalisation will be discussed.
Over the past 25 years the number of workers living in extreme poverty has declined dramatically, despite the lasting impact of the 2008 economic crisis and global recession. In developing countries, the middle class now makes up more than 34 percent of total employment – a number that has almost tripled between 1991 and 2015. However, as the global economy continues to recover we are seeing slower growth, widening inequalities, and not enough jobs to keep up with a growing labour force. According to the International Labour Organization, more than 204 million people were unemployed in 2015. The SDGs promote sustained economic growth, higher levels of productivity and technological innovation. Encouraging entrepreneurship and job creation are key to this, as are effective measures to eradicate forced labour, slavery and human trafficking.