Introduction

In resolution 28/14, adopted on 26 March 2015, the Human Rights Council decided to establish a forum on human rights, democracy and rule of law.  The purpose of the Forum is “to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to the relationship between these areas” and to “identify and analyze best practices, challenges and opportunities for States in their efforts to secure respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law”.

Theme of the 2016 Forum

Resolution 28/14 decided that the theme of the first session of the Forum would be “Widening the Democratic Space: the role of youth in public decision-making”.

Chairpersons:

Mr. Ahmad Alhendawi, UN Secretary General's Special Envoy on Youth and H.E. Mr. Daniiar Mukashev, Permanent Representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations Office at Geneva have been appointed Co-Chairpersons of the first session of the Forum.

Dates and venue

The Forum will be held for the first time from 21-22 November 2016, in Room XVII at Palais des Nations in Geneva. The Forum will then be held every two years.

Participation in the 2016 Forum

Resolution 28/14 decided that the Forum would be “open to the participation of States, United Nations mechanisms, bodies and specialized agencies, funds and programmes, intergovernmental organizations, regional organizations and mechanisms in the field of human rights, national human rights institutions and other relevant national bodies, academics and experts and non-governmental organizations…”

States are kindly informed that, in accordance with resolution 28/14, which requests an open and transparent accreditation procedure and timely information on participation of and consultations with the States concerned, the list of representatives accredited for the first session of the Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law will be posted and updated regularly on the Human Rights Council Extranet. The final list of accredited participants will be made available on the Forum’s website by 25 November 2016. Also, the list of organizations without consultative status with ECOSOC, who have requested accreditation to the first session of the Forum is accessible at all-time upon written request to the Secretariat of the Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law.

For more information see: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Democracy/Pages/ForumDemocracy.aspx

The Forum will be webcasted and the link available on the UN Web TV website at: http://webtv.un.org