Category Archives: UN Bodies/General Assembly/Third Committee

General Assembly Adopts 48 Third Committee Resolutions, Proclaims International Day for People of African Descent, Covering Broad Themes of Human Rights

16 Dec

The General Assembly proclaimed 31 August as the International Day for People of African Descent today, seeking to promote greater recognition and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to the development of societies, as it adopted 48 resolutions and one decision recommended by the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural).

Third Committee Approves 11 Drafts, among Them 4 Covering Women’s Rights, Omnibus Text on High Commissioner for Refugees Report, as Myriad Amendments Fail to Pass

16 Nov

In a day of intense action, the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) approved 11 draft resolutions, including 4 on the broad theme of the advancement of women, which touched on the special needs of women and girls living in conflict-affected areas, complex humanitarian emergencies and terrorism.

For World’s 80 Million Displaced, International Aid ‘Life-Saving’, Head of Refugee Agency Tells Third Committee, as COVID-19 Presents Biggest Crisis in Its History

3 Nov

International collaboration and a sustained, adequately funded response are needed to ensure the world’s 80 million displaced persons are protected from the COVID‑19 pandemic and its lingering socioeconomic aftermath, Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, as delegates discussed tackling ever-proliferating humanitarian crises amid an unprecedented emergency.

Third Committee Delegates Decry Systemic Racism against People of African Descent, Minorities, as Dialogues with Experts Reveal Frustrated Demands for Justice

2 Nov

Politicians and public figures are fuelling racist hatred and violence against minorities, using xenophobic expressions to inflame prejudice, independent experts warned the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, as delegates engaged them in interactive dialogues, held virtually, on the broad themes of racism and self‑determination.

As COVID-19 Crisis Unfolded, Human Rights Council Moved Fast to Address Evolving Ground Conditions, its President Tells Third Committee amid Calls for Fairness

30 Oct

As the COVID‑19 crisis unfolded into a human rights emergency, the Geneva-based Human Rights Council and its mandate holders quickly mobilized to carry out their work despite multiple challenges, its President told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, as some delegates raised questions about bias and favouritism.

Third Committee Delegates Debate Acceptable Limits to Privacy Rights, Personal Data Use During Pandemic, as Expert Warns Against ‘Omni-Present’ Surveillance

29 Oct

Personal data has become a tool for Governments, scientists and companies in the fight against COVID‑19, the Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy told the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today, stressing that any increased technology use for surveillance or contact tracing must respect human rights and return to pre-pandemic norms once the virus risk has subsided.