Welcome to the Deep End!

Well, after our briefing yesterday, Aedan, Stuart and I were well and truly chucked in the middle of things today! At 12.30 we attended a JUSCANZ meeting, which is a group of countries who are - in principle - like-minded on the current issues in question regarding the Commission. This meeting was basically just a big lunch, with about 20 of us around a big table. The meeting was COOL! We were present at the meeting when the United States representative FIRST announced to any group - before the world knew - that it was going to vote No in the General Assembly in New York today. As she started to speak, a thrill of adrenaline raced through me. It was very exciting to be there watching her spell out the USA's position and then experience the reactions of the group to what was said. It was brilliant!

JUSCANZ operates almost like a consolidation process, to solidify the views and concensus in the group so as to present a united front in the Western Group. The Western Group meeting was held inside the United Nations building, with about 30 countries (give or take). A number of points were raised, such as the desired length of the Commission, whether it should be entirely procedural or have some substantive content, and what would be an appropriate farewell to a body which has done its best to serve the world for more than 60 years. Of course talk was tempted to turn towards the future of the Human Rights Council (new and whizz-bang, and due to hold its first meeting on June 19th although it is still VERY hazy what it would look lik), but we ran out of time. Tomorrow there is a 1.5hr Western Group meeting, where many of those things will probably be raised again, and hopefully dealt with.

Most countries are NOT interested in having any substance dealt with at the Commission, although there are two resolutions that are being pushed. There is a new resolution on Enforced Disappearances, which is being brought by France, and there's also a convention on the Rights of Indigenous People. It's unlikely that they will be dealt with before the opening of the HRC in June.

It looks like we will be here for the wrap-up and funeral of the UN Commission on Human Rights. Today in New York it was made official that the 62nd Commission will be the last, and it seems that its objective will be farewelling the body, and commemmorating its work. It will be - I'm sure - a fascinating thing to behold.

Anyway I'm knackered! Had an exciting day and another one to come tomorrow!

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Seeya!

J x