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At the 111th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, for the first time in the history of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the draft programme and budget had to be put to a vote. A coalition of African countries and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) rejected ILO support for disadvantaged groups (including LGBTQI+). The compromise finally adopted still explicitly includes protection against discrimination on the basis of race, sexual orientation and gender identity and was adopted by 477 votes (11 against, 7 abstentions).
In the context of the pandemic agreements, WHO member states are discussing a stronger commitment to invest in their own health care in the sense of better pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. However, the share of external financing sources in national health expenditure is often above 20%, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Often, these funds are earmarked. They are therefore only suitable to a limited extent for strengthening health care in general; rather, observers presumably see a dependency with regard to the substantive priorities of care.
The 76th World Health Assembly voted on 24 May on a proposed resolution by Ukraine and 42 supporting states entitled "Health emergency in Ukraine and refugee-receiving and -hosting countries, stemming from the Russian Federation’s aggression". Among other things, the text calls for an immediate end to Russian attacks on health facilities. Out of 177 members entitled to vote, 80 voted in favour and 9 against this resolution. Two days later, under pressure from Russia, the 10 new candidates for the Executive Board had to be voted on by secret ballot for the first time in the history of the WHO, as Russia contested the election proposal of its own WHO region because of Ukraine's nomination. The vote was clear: 123 Member States voted for the list of candidates (6 invalid votes and 48 abstentions or absences). A vote on individual candidates was not WHO-constitutional, to Russia's disappointment. Finally, Director General, Dr Adhanom Ghebreyesus, filled the positions of his management team that were still open in his second term.
The UN Human Rights Council during its 36th Special Session on 11 May, decided with 18 votes in favour, 15 against and 14 abstentions to strengthen the mandate of the High Commissioner’s designated Expert on Sudan. He is asked to monitor and document all allegations of human rights violations and abuses since 25 October 2021, including those arising directly from the current conflict with a specific focus on prevention of further such violations and abuses from occurring. The UK, the USA, Germany and Norway with support of 16 other Council Members and 36 Observer States called for the convening of the Session. Sudan had opposed the convening of the Session and called for a vote.
Currently, 46 countries worldwide are classified as Least Developed Countries (LDCs). This status allows the designated countries to obtain concessions, preferential market access and technical assistance, particularly in the area of trade. The LDC negotiating group at the WTO regularly calls for more flexibility and longer transition periods of trade facilitation for countries which successfully graduated from the LDC status or are on the verge of graduating.
At 14 weeks, the 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva was the longest session since the creation of the Council. 43 resolutions on country situations, including Myanmar, South Sudan, Nicaragua, Mali, Libya, the People's Republic of Korea or Belarus, as well as on various topics, including freedom of belief or the new right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, were considered. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine also presented its report. The body found evidence that shows that Russian authorities have committed a wide range of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, many of which amount to war crimes. In addition, attacks by Russian armed forces on Ukraine’s energy-related infrastructure and the use of torture by Russian authorities may amount to crimes against humanity. The extension of the commission for another year was adopted with 28 votes in favour, 2 against and 19 abstentions, after China and Eritrea called for a vote and voted against.
During a high-level pledging conference for Yemen in Geneva on 27 February, $1.16 billion were pledged against needs of $4.3 billion. According to the UN, Yemen is the world's worst humanitarian crisis with 21.6 million people, about 2/3 of the population, in need of humanitarian aid. The highest pledges came from the US (444 million), the European Commission (207 million), Germany (129 million) and the UK (107 million). Currently, only 20% of the appeal is covered. Already last year, underfunding has forced aid organisations to massively scale back their services.
One year after Russia’s invasion on Ukraine, the UN General Assembly in its 11th special emergency session on Ukraine on 23 February demands Russia to „immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, (...) calls for a cessation of hostilities, (and a) complete exchange of prisoners of war, the release of all unlawfully detained persons and the return of all internees and of civilians forcibly transferred and deported, including children“. The text was adopted with 141 in favour, 7 against and 32 abstentions. Two amendments by Belarus were rejected after a vote. In comparison to last year, Mali and Nicaragua changed from abstention to a no-vote.
Director KAS Genf Office
