UNHRC - a difficult resolution

Rome, 11/03/13 - The UNHRC Committee Session of 9 March 2013 was held in Luiss Guido Carli University. It began at 9.30 with the usual Roll – Call.

Since in the previous Session they were not able to vote on a final resolution, the debate was still focused on the first topic: gender equality.

Italy soon promoted a motion to discuss for 20 minutes about the working papers of each country. “Without any funds from Europe and USA, it can’t be possible to make a program of economic recovery for the rest of the world. But we need the help of every country” - stated the Italian delegate.
“Every country is talking about abstract theories to improve the condition of women, but nobody is highlighting the importance of family in the education of the person.” - said the delegation of Denmark – “to have a mother and a father is extremely important for the growth and the development of a child's ideals.”

During one of the many moderated caucuses, delegates became impatient since everyone was asking for a practical resolution (through the discussion of the working papers) but no one was able to make it real.

The USA delegate declared that the countries of UN should work together as a single entity. Nigeria openly objected that UN countries cannot follow USA policy and they should work singularly on programs created according to the geographical areas.

Basically, it seemed like there was no possible positive conclusion to this committee session (still dealing with topic A) and the Thailand delegation explained why: “ We saw competition, not cooperation.” The only step forward was the reduction of the number of working papers (from 5 to 3). The delegates themselves appeared very pessimistic regarding the conclusion of yesterday’s debate and they admitted the complexity of this mission.

Finally on Sunday 10 March 2013, UNHRC came to a conclusion and voted the resolution promoted and sponsored by Italy, France, USA and other countries. Some delegates showed their strong disappointment about the procedure of voting. “It’s very unfair: we voted twice for the same resolution (Togo’s one, ed.). The first time it passed with simple majority, but for a mistake, we voted again and it failed. Our vote wasn’t respected.”
 
In the end, delegates started to face the topic of LGBT’s rights.

Alessia Melchiorre

Carmelo Leo

RaiNews24