Human Rights Now (HRN) participated in the 24th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (9-27 September).
On the 10th September, HRN made an oral intervention during the cluster ID discussion on children and armed conflict, expressing grave concern over the situation of children in Syria and Iraq.
While condemning the use of chemical weapons, HRN stressed that military intervention is not a solution to end the conflict in Syria, and would rather be the cause of more deaths and violations of children's human rights. HRN urged the international community to accelerate the diplomatic effort, to agree on the cessation of support for both sides of the conflict, and to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
HRN also reported the results of its fact finding mission to Fallujah, Iraq, and urged the US and UK to take necessary measures to redress the situation.
On September 11th, 2013, the 2 and half years anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, HRN reported on the ongoing crisis surrounding the Fukushima Nuclear Plant and called for immediate attention to the serious condition of toxic water leaks among the international community. HRN also stressed that the Japanese government has clearly rejected most of the recommendations made by the UN Special Rapporteur Anand Grover, and highlighted the insufficient measures taken to protect the right to health of affected people. HRN calls for the United Nations Special Rapporteur on hazardous substances and Special Rapporteur on the right to safe drinking water and sanitation to visit Japan to help solve the problem.
Full transcripts of both oral statements are available to read and download in PDF format at the links below.
