UN Human Rights Council concludes its 60th session

8. 10. 2025

UN Human Rights Council concluded its 60th session. At Slovenia's initiative, the mandate of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons was extended, and at the EU's initiative, a mechanism was established to ensure accountability for human rights violations in Afghanistan. Professor Veronika Fikfak, a Slovenian expert, was elected as member of the Council's Advisory Board.

As a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Slovenia highlighted the need to uphold international law and drew attention to violations of the principle of the universality of human rights – the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, Sudan, Myanmar and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Slovenia also participated in thematic debates, supporting high international standards in areas such as the rights of older persons, women and girls, gender equality, children's rights, human rights in relation to the environment and climate change, and the rights of young people.

The most important item on the agenda of this session was the report by the Council's Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Based on the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the report concluded that Israel had committed acts of genocide in Gaza.

A resolution on the human rights situation in the Russian Federation was adopted at the initiative of European countries, and resolutions on the situations in Burundi and Afghanistan were adopted at the initiative of the EU. The latter carries particular significance, as it establishes a new mechanism to ensure accountability for serious human rights violations in the country. This is an important step towards strengthening international justice and ensuring that those responsible for the most serious crimes are held accountable.

The Council also extended the mandate of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons for a further period of three years. As a member of the core group on the rights of older persons, Slovenia played a vital role in gathering political support and strengthening the global commitment to ensuring the rights and dignity of older persons.

As the chair of MED9, Slovenia initiated a joint address by this group of European Mediterranean countries to the Council's biennial panel on youth and human rights, highlighting the key role of young people in promoting human rights and building peaceful, resilient and inclusive societies.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Slovenia co-organised several events related to the rights of older persons, including the celebration of this year's International Day of Older Persons, a launch event for a book on the rights of children in armed conflict in the context of digital technologies published by the Universities Network for Children in Armed Conflict, as well as an event on the World Programme for Human Rights Education.

At the end of the session, Dr Veronika Fikfak, an independent Slovenian expert, was elected to the Council's Advisory Board. In her new role, she will play an important part in shaping new directions and setting new standards in the field of human rights within the UN.

The 60th session was the last before Slovenia's anticipated three-year membership in the 2026–2028 term. During this period, Slovenia will build on its previous achievements as a member of the UN Security Council and consolidate its reputation as a reliable and principled partner – a partner that listens, builds bridges, promotes dialogue, acts without double standards and advocates consistent respect for all human rights for all.