At both global and regional levels, basic rights to freedom, expression, and education are incessantly denied as a result of systemic oppression and authoritarian regimes.

HRC, with its focus on robust frameworks and emphasis on past investigations, acts to streamline peacekeeping operations and safeguard human rights, especially in conflict-ridden regions where access and equity are non-existent. This year, delegates will explore three agendas, namely “Addressing the Human Rights Violations Related to Migrant Smuggling in the African-Mediterranean Flows and to the Illegal Detention Centres in Libya”, “Addressing the Human Rights Implications of Biometric Surveillance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region”, and “Addressing War Crimes and Human Rights Violations during the Sudanese Civil War.”

The first agenda, “Addressing the Human Rights Violations Related to Migrant Smuggling in the African-Mediterranean Flows and to the Illegal Detention Centres in Libya,” will allow delegates to consider the promotion of accountability and ensuring access to justice and remedies. Libya has emerged as a critical transit and destination point for migrants from the Sub-Saharan region. The outbreak of civil war in 2011, following the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi, has promoted migrant smuggling throughout the nation. This has led to several human rights violations, including arbitrary detention, forced labour, open slave auctions and trafficking, which the committee aims to address with ironclad resolutions.

The second agenda, “Addressing the Human Rights Implications of Biometric Surveillance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region”, highlights the emergence of modern technology and its implications on human rights. In the absence of clear ethical standards, such surveillance may risk entrenching discrimination, increasing instability, and undermining privacy and autonomy. Therefore, HRC this year will have a strong focus on evaluating the implications of biometric surveillance in the MENA region in a multi-faceted manner.

The third agenda, “Addressing War Crimes and Human Rights Violations during the Sudanese Civil War”, presents a critical case for discussion due to the far-reaching impacts of egregious human rights violations committed in this region. The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has involved widespread atrocities, including indiscriminate attacks, gender-based violence, and ethnic-based killings. Delegates must therefore collaborate to lay the groundwork for long-term stability in humanitarian solutions to prevent conflicts from further destabilising the wider Horn of Africa region.

Overall, the Human Rights Council stands as an integral platform for facilitating cooperation amongst nations, fostering diplomacy, and taking prompt action in the face of human rights atrocities. The wide spectrum of agendas being discussed, from economic exploitation in Libya and biometric surveillance in the MENA region to the Sudanese humanitarian crisis, will create an environment conducive to productive debate and innovative policymaking.