By Rebecca Ekpe
Journalists should begin to ask questions about how resolutions adopted at the Human Rights Council of the United Nations and their impact on the lives of citizens.
This was a viewpoint made by the Executive Director of the Universal Rights Group, Marc Limon while briefing Journalists visiting the UN Human Rights Council at his Office in Geneva, Switzerland.
“I wonder how many of these resolutions signed achieve anything”, he asked.
How the Human Rights meetings produce actions is important. How for example on results, how can it produce technical assistance to build the capacity of Police to understand how to manage demonstrators in an environment of free speech and freedom of expression, without clashing with the people? Mr. Limon explained.
“How about the protection of journalists for example”? he questioned.
Giving an overview of his work and the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms amidst the challenges, the Universal Human Rights Founder posited that Human Rights issues should be linked to development to make issues more relevant.
Mr. Limon encouraged Journalists to represent the voice of the muted in society, so far as Universal Human Rights were concerned.
The Human Rights Advocate enumerated some of what he termed flash points during deliberations at the Council meetings.
Among them are Women’s Rights, and LGBTQ which is the Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Transfer and Quer issues.
He explained that by the very nature of clashes with culture, ideology, beliefs, the issues are controversial, but was quick to add that Journalists ought to seek pathways through which such information can be communicated to reflect dissenting views.
The Universal Rights Group is spearheading a Media Capacity Engagrement Program for Journalists from other countries to visit the UN Human Rights Council Meetings supported by the Permanent Mission of Denmark to the United Nations in Geneva Switzerland.
