The new Permanent Representative of Italy to the UN in New York, Ambassador Mariangela Zappia, will respond to questions from civil society on the candidature of Italy to the UN Human Rights Council for 2019-21.
The 18 candidate countries for the term, prepared to enter the most prestigious UN elective forum after the Security Council, will present their plans for the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The event will be moderated by UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, Andrew Gilmour.
Italy was a member of the Human Rights Council for two terms, 2007-10 and 2011-14, and has presented its Voluntary pledges and Commitments should it become one of the 47 members of the council following the election by the General Assembly in October. Priority issues include: fighting against all forms of discrimination; the rights of women and children; a universal moratorium on the death penalty; freedom of religion and belief, protection of religious minorities; the fight against human trafficking; rights of the disabled; preservation of cultural and religious heritage and defence of human rights.
Today’s presentation will be streamed live by UN TV and will be repeated in Geneva on 11 September.
