Suspended 43rd session of UN rights body to be resumed next week

File Photo: Photo taken on March 12, 2020 shows the United Nations Human Rights Council conducting Universal Periodic Review during its 43rd session in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Nie Xiaoyang)

The 43rd regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, suspended on March 13 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be resumed next week in Geneva, the UN rights office said in a statement on Friday.

The resumed session will last from June 15 to June 19 to discuss topics ranging from human rights mechanisms to technical assistance and capacity building in the human rights field, it said.

The resumed session will also consider the report of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action.

In order to further reduce risks of virus transmission, all persons physically present inside the conference rooms during the session will be required to wear a face-covering mask, in addition to observing physical distancing.

According to the UN rights office in Geneva, because of an open letter sent by the African Group of States, an "urgent debate" on racism-related topics may also be discussed during the 43rd session.

The UN Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system, made up of 47 States which are responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.