Chairperson Ahn, Kyong-Whan of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) participated in the 5th UN Human Rights Council (HRC) and the first ICC Bureau Meeting in Geneva from June 11th to 22nd. In the meetings joined by council members, member countries, NHRIs and NGOs, rules of procedures of the Council, agenda selection and country mandates were mainly discussed.
At the council meeting, the ICC successfully included most of their demands to strengthen the status of NIs in the Council in the text of UNHRC Chairperson Report, which was unanimously passed on June 18th.
The first ICC Bureau Meeting, which was held from 19-18 June, agreed that the roles of NHRIs in the UNHRC have increased, and the ICC, NIs and regional coordinating bodies of NIs need to address items on the Council Agenda and be more engaged. It also agreed on the main substantive areas of the ICC role as follows: Human Rights Council; early warning and preventive action; Universal Periodic Review; international conferences; Special Procedures; ICC meetings; Treaty Bodies; fundraising; building NHRI partnerships, and their capacities; substantive thematic work, such as creating working groups; and accreditation.
It also discussed ICC Geneva representative. It is to enhance effectiveness of international activities of the ICC and NIs. The issue has been addressed since the ICC on March, 2007, and strongly supported by the OHCHR. The ICC representative will represent the ICC and the NIS at Geneva and international organizations. A selection committee would be established, led by Chairperson Ahn of the NHRCK.
