Minutes of the Bureau of the Human Rights Council Bureau
14 March 2014

On 14 March 2014, the Bureau held a meeting to discuss: (1) the drawing by lots for the list of speakers of the UPR segment at the Council plenary, (2) the request of the CoI on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to display a video message during its interactive dialogue; (3) the request from Israel to postpone the adoption of the report on Israel of UPR Working group, and (4) AOB.   

The drawing by lot for the list of speakers of the UPR segment at the Council plenary

The Bureau drew by lot the first speakers for each of the lists for the adoption of UPR reports scheduled from 19 March to 21 March. The lists were sent to delegations by note verbale and are posted on the HRC Extranet. 

Request of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to display a video 

Further to the discussion held at the Bureau meetings on 25 February and 12 March and following the consultations with regional and political groups, the Bureau discussed the request of the Commission of Inquiry. In view of concerns expressed by some States, and given the lack of proper guidelines on the use of video clips, it has been decided not to display the video clip. The Bureau agreed to request the Secretariat to draft guidelines framing the display of videos at the Council, for consideration by the Council at the next HRC session. 

The request from Israel to postpone the adoption of the report on Israel of UPR Working group

Upon a letter received from Israel dated 13 March 2014 (letter available on the HRC Extranet), the President informed the Bureau that due to the strike by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel would not be able to send representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the consideration and adoption of its UPR outcome document on Thursday 20 March. Israel therefore requested a postponement of its outcome to a later date. 
Given the circumstances described in the letter and based on previous precedents, the Bureau expressed it readiness to propose the postponing of the adoption of the outcome of the review for Israel to the last week of the 25th session of the HRC, specifically for the week of 24 March instead of the week of 17 March 2014.  Additionally, should the situation in the concerned country remain as such, other options would be available, namely having a delegation outside of the Foreign Ministry, or sending a video message or a written statement outlining Israel's positions on all the recommendations.  It was further noted that a postponement to a later stage was never granted in circumstances of this nature. The President was invited to send a response to Israel along these lines. 




AOB

The Bureau thanked Ambassador Maurizio Enrico Serra of Italy, Vice-President, for having agreed to lead the HRC Task Force on accessibility and renewed its commitment to continue efforts on the matter. 

 
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