The UN Human Rights Council (HRC) is currently holding its 61st session from February 23rd to March 31st 2026. On this occasion, the CCIG delivered a joint oral statement on the behalf of 17 NGOs under Item 6 General Debate.
The statement was co-signed by the following NGOs: Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII, Caritas Internationalis, Dominicans for Justice and Peace – Order of Preachers, Dreikönigsaktion – Hilfswerk der Katholischen Jungschar, Edmund Rice International, Fédération internationale de l’Action des chrétiens pour l’abolition de la torture, Fondazione Marista per la Solidarietà Internazionale, International Volunteerism Organization for Women, Education, Development, Istituto Internazionale Maria Ausiliatrice, Office International de l’enseignement catholique, Pax Christi International, Pax Romana, Plan International, Swiss Catholic Lenten Fund, UPR Info and World Evangelical Alliance.
As the fourth UPR cycle nears its end, the statement calls on Member States to effectively implement UPR recommendations by supporting the network of National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up (NMIRF).
At a time when multilateralism is being questioned, through this joint statement, the CCIG and the co-signing NGOs reiterate the relevance of the UPR as an international mechanism that delivers results and fosters dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders.
In the face of non-cooperation and disengagement by some Member States, this statement calls on all States to keep core human rights at the heart of their engagement in the UPR process. Finally, with only four years remaining before the 2030 Agenda deadline, it stresses the urgency of renewing the global commitment to a sustainable development that leaves no one behind, supported by strong and independent institutions and meaningful civic participation in decision-making.
The text of the statement is available here and the video recording here. You can watch the whole session here.
For more information on CCIG work with the UPR, please consult the webpage of CCIG UPR Platform.