The 59th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights ended in Geneva on 25 April 2003

During the six-week session, the Commission adopted about a hundred resolutions, in which it takes a stand on the human rights situation in a number of countries and various other topics. Thousands of delegates took part in the work of the session. Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s visit to the session highlighted the significance of the event.

The Finnish delegation took an active part in the work of the Commission on Human Rights. In the coordination of the EU’s internal positions and in the open negotiations and plenary sessions, the Finnish participants effectively emphasized Finland’s national priorities, such as the rights of women, children, indigenous peoples and minorities. In its national address, Finland called attention to the individuals and groups that can become victims of multiple forms of discrimination.

This session did not create many new mechanisms. However, the Commission on Human Rights renewed some human rights mandates that are important from Finland’s point of view, such as the Working Group on arbitrary detention, the Special Representative on human rights defenders, and Special Rapporteurs on the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, the right to food and adequate housing.