1Order of the day, 14March2016
/ Human Rights CouncilThirty-firstsession
Geneva, 29 February -24 March 2016
Order of the day[*]
Plenary meetings – Room XX
Monday, 14March 2016
MORNING
9.00 – 12.00
34th meeting / Item 4 / Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention
Interactive dialoguewith:
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
A/HRC/31/70, A/HRC/31/70/Corr.1
Interactive dialoguewith:
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea
A/HRC/31/NGO/169
[Modalities for participation in the individual interactive dialogue:States Members of the Council, observer States, United Nations agencies and international and regional organizations are requested to use the electronic system and inscribe on the list of speakers by pressing the microphone button at their desk at the beginning of each dialogue. NHRIs are requested to inscribe and NGOs are requested to confirm their on-line registration at the list of speakers desk in Room XX. Speaking time is 3 minutes for States Members of the Council and 2 minutes for observer States and other observers, including NHRIs and NGOs. The list of speakers will be closed approximately 15 minutes after the beginning of the interactive dialogue.]
11.45 / Visit of H.E. Ms.Amy Adams
Minister of Justice, New Zealand
LUNCH
12.00– 15.00
35thmeeting / Item 4
(cont’d) / Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention
Interactive dialoguewith:
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran
A/HRC/31/69, A/HRC/31/CRP.5, A/HRC/31/NGO/50, A/HRC/31/NGO/107, A/HRC/31/NGO/158, A/HRC/31/NGO/168, A/HRC/31/NGO/230
[Modalities for participation in the individual interactive dialogue:See above.]
AFTERNOON
15.00–18.00
36thmeeting / Item 4
(cont’d) / Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention
Interactive dialogue(cont’d)with:
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran
Interactive dialoguewith:
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar
A/HRC/31/71, A/HRC/31/71/Add.1, A/HRC/31/NGO/72, A/HRC/31/NGO/112, A/HRC/31/NGO/125, A/HRC/31/NGO/163, A/HRC/31/NGO/182
[Modalities for participation in the individual interactive dialogue: See above.]
EVENING
18.00–21.00
37thmeeting / Item 4
(cont’d) / Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention
Interactive dialogue(cont’d)with:
- Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar
[Modalities for participation in the individual interactive dialogue: See above.]
Other information:
•Draft programme of work is attached.
•All speakers scheduled to take the floor should provide the Secretariat beforehand with 25 copies of their statements.
•Delegations are requested to send their statements to for posting on HRC Extranet.
•Identity session photo-badges may be obtained by all delegations from the UNOG Security and Safety Section at the ‘Pregny Gate’ (Palais des Nations, 8-14 Avenue de la Paix) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. upon presentation of a copy of the letter requesting accreditation and an identity document. Due to the high number of participants expected, kindly allow sufficient time for accreditation.
•Information about accessibility for persons with disabilities is available at the dedicated web page on accessibility [
•The deadline for submission of draft resolutions or decisions is Wednesday, 16 March 2016, at 1.00 p.m. (office E-3054). Related guidelines and signature forms for co-sponsors are available on HRC31 Extranet.
•Delegations wishing to reserve rooms for meetings should contact Ms. Laura Giardini (email: * tel.79255 * office E-3060), no later than 12 noon of the day before the meeting.
•The Human Rights Council is on social media:
Twitter:@UN_HRC #HRC31
•To access the live or archived webcast, please go to
•PHOTOGRAPHS AND FILMING: Please note that only accredited media are permitted to film and take photographs in Room XX.
Draft Programme of Work for the 31st session of the Human Rights Council (29 February-24 March 2016)
Version as of 10 March February 2016 (subject to change)
29 February / 7 March / 14 March / 21 March
M
O
N
D
A
Y / 9.00
–
12.00 / Item 1
Opening of session
High-level segment (HLS) / 9.00
–
12.00 / Annual full-day MEETing on the rights of the child
(HRC res. 7/29 and 28/19) / 9:00
–
12.00 / ITEM 4
Individual IDs with:
- SR on DPR of Korea
- SR on Eritrea (oral update) / 9.00
–
12.00 / ITEM 7
- Individual ID w. SR on OPT
- HC/SG reports followed by General debate
12.00
–
15.00 / HLS (cont’d) / 12.00
–
15.00 / Item 3 (cont’d)
Clustered ID with:
- IE on foreign debt
- SR on food / 12.00
–
15.00 / ITEM 4 (cont’d)
Individual IDs with:
- SR on Islamic Republic of Iran / 12.00
–
15.00 / ITEM 7 (cont’d)
General debate (cont’d)
ITEM 8 General debate
15.00
–
18.00 / Annual HIGH-LEVEL panel on
HUMAN RIGHTS mainstreaming
(HRC res. 16/21) / 15.00
–
18.00 / Annual full-day MeeTinG on rights of the child (HRC res. 7/29 and 28/19) / 15.00
–
18.00 / ITEM 4 (cont’d)
Individual IDs with:
- SR on Iran (cont’d)
- SR on Myanmar / 15.00
–
18.00 / ITEM 9
- Reports of IGWG, Ad Hoc Committee and HC oral update
followed by General debate
18.00
–
21.00 / ITEM 4 (cont’d) / 18.00
–
21.00 / ITEM 10
- Enhanced ID on Burundi
- Individual ID with IE on Central African Republic
1 March / 8 March / 15 March / 22 March
T
U
E
S
D
A
Y / 9.00
–
12.00 / HIGH-LEVEL panel on 50th anniv. of human rights covenants
(HRC res. 29/1) / 9.00
–
12.00 / ITEM 3 (cont’d)
Clustered ID with SRSGs:
- violence against children
- children and armed conflict / 9.00
–
12.00 / ITEM 4 (cont’d)
Individual ID withCOI on the Syrian Arab Republic / 9.00
–
12.00 / ITEM 10 (cont’d)
Individual ID w. IE CAR(cont’d)
Individual ID with
- IE on Côte d’Ivoire
12.00
–
15.00 / HLS (cont’d) / 12.00
–
15.00 / ITEM 3
Clustered ID w SRSGs (cont’d)
Clustered ID with:
- SR on torture
- SR on sale of children / 12.00
–
15.00 / ITEM 4 (cont’d)
OHCHR report on DPRK and oral update on Eritrea followed by
General debate / 12.00
–
15.00 / Annual discussion on technical cooperation
(HRC res. 18/18 and 30/21)
15.00
–
18.00 / HLS (cont’d) / 15.00
–
18.00 / Item 3 (cont’d)
Clustered ID (cont’d) / 15.00
–
18.00 / ITEM 4 (cont’d)
General debate (cont’d) / 15.00
–
18.00 / ITEM 10 (cont’d)
Individual IDs with:
- IE on Haiti
- IE on Mali
18.00
–
21.00 / HLS (cont’d) / 18.00
–
21.00 / ITEM 3 (cont’d)
ID with SR on minority issues
ITEM 5
- Report of Forum on Minority Issues
- SP annual report by CC chair followed by General debate / 18.00
–
21.00 / ITEM 2 (cont’d)
- Individual ID on HC report on South Sudan
ITEM 10(cont’d)
- Individual ID on HC oral update on Ukraine
2 March / 9 March / 16 March / 23 March
W
E
D
N
E
S
D
A
Y / 10.00
–
13.00 / HLS (cont’d) / 9.00
–
12.00 / Item 3 (cont’d)
Clustered ID (cont’d)
Clustered ID with:
- SR on privacy
- SR on freedom of religion / 9.00
–
11.00 / ITEM 5 (cont’d) GD Item 5
ITEM 6
UPR outcomes
Micronesia / 9.00
–
12.00 / ITEM 2 (cont’d)
Other HC/SG country reports (Item 2) followed by General debate
11.00
–
12.00
13.00
–
15.00 / HLS (cont’d) / 12.00
–
15.00 / Item 3 (cont’d)
ID on joint compilation w:
- SR peaceful assembly
- SR summary executions / 12.00
–
15.00 / ITEM 6 (cont’d)
UPR outcomes
Lebanon, Mauritania, Nauru / 12.00
–
15.00 / ITEM 10 (cont’d)
- HC/SG country reports (Item 10) followed by General debate
ITEM 1 (cont’d)
Decisions and conclusions
15.00
–
18.00 / HLS (cont’d)
General segment / 15.00
–
18.00 / Item 3 (cont’d)
Clustered ID (cont’d) / 15.00
–
18.00 / ITEM 6 (cont’d)
UPR outcomes
Rwanda, Nepal, Austria / 15.00
–
18.00 / ITEM 1 (cont’d)
Decisions and conclusions
3 March / 10 March / 17 March / 24 March
T
H
U
R
S
D
A
Y / 9.00
–
12.00 / panel Discussion On Climate ChangE and right to health (HRC res. 29/15) / 9.00
–
12.00 / Item 3 (cont’d)
Clustered ID w. (cont’d)
- SR on terrorism
- SR on cultural rights / 9.00
–
12.00 / ITEM 6 (cont’d)
UPR outcomes
Australia, Georgia,
Saint Lucia / 9.00
–
12.00 / ITEM 1 (cont’d)
Decisions and conclusions
12.00
–
15.00 / Item 3
Clustered ID with:
- SR on environment
- SR adequate housing / 12.00
–
15.00 / ITEM 2*
HC annual report
followed by ID with the HC / 12.00
–
15.00 / ITEM 6 (cont’d)
UPR outcomes
Oman, Myanmar,
Saint Kitts and Nevis / 12.00
–
15.00 / ITEM 1 (cont’d)
Decisions and conclusions
15.00
–
18.00 / Item 3 (cont’d)
Clustered ID with:
- SASG on genocide
- SR on defenders / 15.00
18.00 / ITEM 2 (cont’d)
ID with the HC (cont’d) / 15.00
–
18.00 / panel DISCUSSION on preventing violent extremism (HRC res. 30/15) / 15.00
–
18.00 / ITEM 1 (cont’d)
Decisions and conclusionsAppt. of mandate holders
Adoption of session report
18.00
19.30
4 March / 11 March / 18 March / 25 March
F
R
I
D
A
Y / 9.00
–
12.00 / Annual debate on Rights of persons with disabilitIEs(HRC res. 7/9 and 28/4) / 9.00
–
12.00 / panel DISCUSSION on human rights and hiv/aids epidemic (HRC res. 30/8) / 9.00
–
12.00 / panel discussion on the incompatibility between democracy and racism
(HRC res. 29/20) / UNITED NATIONS HOLIDAY
12.00
–
15.00 / ITEM 3 (cont’d) / 12.00
–
15.00 / ITEM 3 (cont’d)
- Report of IGWG on transnational corporations
- HC/OHCHR/SG thematic reports followed by General debate / 12.00
–
15.00 / ITEM 6 (cont’d)
UPR outcomes
Sao Tome & Principe
followed byGeneral debate
15.00
–
18.00 / Item 3
Clustered ID with:
- SR on persons with disabilities
- IE on albinism / 15.00
18.00 / ITEM 3 (cont’d)
General debate (cont’d) / 15.00
–
18.00 / DEBATE on state of racial discrimination worldwide
(GA res. 70/140)
18.00
19.30
* Item 2 remains open throughout the session.
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
31st session (29 February - 24 March 2016)
Inscriptions on the list of speakers and speaking time arrangements
(min.) / Observer States / other observers
(min.) / Observers for NHRIs* / NGOs**
(min.)
General debates1 / 3’ / 2’ / 2’ per NHRI / NGO
Clustered interactive dialogues2
(Maximum duration of each clustered interactive dialogue is 4 hours)
/ 5’
May be reduced according to the number of registered speakers to
3’ (or 2’) / 3’
May be reduced according to the number of registered speakers to
2’ / 3’ per NHRI / NGO
May be reduced according to the number of registered speakers to
2’
Individual interactive dialogues3
(including interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner) / 3’ / 2’ / 2’ per NHRI / NGO
Panel discussions3 / 2’ / 2’ / 2’ per NHRI / NGO
Consideration of UPR outcomes4 / 3’
May be reduced according to the number of registered speakers to
2’ (or minimum 1:30) / 2’
May be reduced according to the number of registered speakers to
minimum 1:30 / 2’ per NHRI / NGO
Rights of reply5 / 3’ (for the first reply)
2’ (for the second reply) / 3’ (for the first reply)
2’ (for the second reply) / N/A
Electronic system
Inscriptions for all interactive dialogues(“IDs”) and panel discussions will be done through the electronic system in Room XX. Delegates representing States, United Nations agencies and international and regional organizations can inscribe on the list of speakers by pressing the microphone button at their desk, when the timer is displayed on the screen. For States Members of the Council, only the microphone with the red sticker can be used to inscribe on the list. This does not apply to NGOs and NHRIs (see below). The lists of speakers for all IDs and panel discussions close 15 minutes after the corresponding dialogue or discussion has started; delegations may still inscribe at the list of speakers desk until that moment.
Schedule of inscriptions
1.For general debates (“GDs”),the lists of speakers for all agenda items opened on Friday 26 February2016 at 9 a.m. in office E-3056 behind Room XX and as from Monday 29 February 2016, the list is available at the secretariat desk in Room XX. The list will close approximately 15 minutes after the beginning of the respective debate. All delegates are requested to inscribe in person.
2.For all clustered IDs, electronic inscription will take place in advance onWednesday 2 March 2016 at around 3 p.m. and inscriptions on the list of speakers for each clustered ID will be possible until its closure approximately 15 minutes after the beginning of the respective dialogue. Should the total duration of a given clustered ID be estimated to last less than 4 hours, the speaking time limits will remain 5 minutes for Members (and groups) and 3 minutes for observers. However, if it is estimated to be more than 4 hours, the speaking time limits will be reduced to 3 minutes for Members (and groups) and 2 minutes for observers. Should this measure be deemed insufficient to ensure that the total duration not exceed 4 hours, the speaking time limit will be further reduced to 2 minutes for both Members (and groups) and observers.
3.For allindividual IDs and panels, electronic inscription will take place at the beginning of each dialogue or panel. The list will close approximately 15 minutes after the beginning of the respective dialogue or panel.
4.For the adoptions of UPR outcomes under agenda item 6, inscription will open on Monday 7 March at 9 a.m. and will remain open for four working days until Thursday 10 March at 6 p.m. No inscription on the lists will be possible after that date. Speaking order will be drawn by lot by the Bureau of the HRC on Friday 11 March. Speaking time for States varies depending on the number of speakers inscribed. Total time for States Members of the Council, observer States and United Nations agencies is 20 minutes. Total time for other stakeholders is 20 minutes, with speaking time of 2 minutes for all.
5.The right of reply is limited to two replies and is exercised either at the end of the day (unless there is a panel discussion at the end of the day) or at the end of the consideration of a relevant agenda item concerned.
NHRIs and NGOs
* National human rights institutions (NHRIs) with “A” status accreditation wishing to make an oral statement should approach the NGO/NHRI list of speakers desk in Room XX before the delivery of the statement.
** Accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) wishing to make an oral statement should submit a request using the online registration system for oral statements available on the Council website at
NGO delegations must confirm in person their request and the name of the speaker who will deliver the statement at the NGO/NHRI list of speakers desk in Room XX 24 hours preceding the relevant meeting.
[*]The information contained in this document was compiled and is correct as of 6 p.m. of the previous day. In the event that the consideration of a specific item or sub-item does not take up the whole meeting, the Council will move to the consideration of the next item or sub-item scheduled for the following meeting, with the exception of the high-level segment, panels and the consideration of UPR reports. The Secretariat will communicate any changes or updates by SMS alerts, HRC Extranet and Twitter (@UN_HRC #HRC31). Any comments should be notified to the Secretariat, room E-3060.