Human Rights Council

As an integral facet of its Global Advocacy Campaign, MPV has been engaged with the UN Human Rights Council and its subsidiary bodies in Geneva to ensure that a progressive and inclusive Muslim voice is represented in this crucial international forum. MPV's work in this space generally falls under 1) Human Rights Council Statements ; 2) Collaboration with Special Rapporteurs ; 3) Universal Periodic Review Stakeholder Submissions.

Human Rights council statements

Since 2014, MPV has delivered statements, drafted in collaboration with other human rights organizations, during official Council sessions on human rights issues ranging from freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, gender equality and women’s empowerment, and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.

2019

June Session

Transcript of the speech: Keynote Address from Vice Minister of the Foreign Ministry of the the Netherlands, Ms. Yoka Brandt at “From the Political to the Personal: (Mis)understandings of the Freedom of Religion and Belief and Freedom of Expression Across the World.”

2016

March Session

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights Statement by Federatie van Nederlandse Verenigingen tot Integratie van Homoseksualiteit - COC Nederland in close consultation with Muslims for Progressive Values

2015

March Session

Interactive Dialogue with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief Statement by the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) in partnership with Muslims for Progressive Values

June Session

September Session

Statement by the Allied Rainbow Communities International in Consultation with Muslims for Progressive Values the Item 4 – Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic

2014

June Session

Collaboration with Special rapporteurs

Additionally, MPV has forged working and collaborative relationships with specific human rights experts known as Special Procedures mandate holders (or Special Rapporteurs), and regularly submits information to be reviewed by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) during Special Procedures report drafting processes. More information on the Human Rights Council and its subsidiary bodies, including the mandates of the Special Procedures, can be found here. For a list of events featuring UN Special Rapporteurs, please visit our UN Events page.

2014

June Session

During the 26th Session of the Human Rights Council, MPV collaborated with the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) to deliver an oral statement in response to the report by United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief Heiner Bielefeldt on preventing violence in the name of religion. Read and watch the statement.

Universal Periodic Review

MPV is also actively engaged with the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, which offers entry points for civil society organizations to submit Stakeholder Reports (or “shadow reports”) which highlight country-specific human rights issues to the State-led UPR Working Group tasked with evaluating the human rights track records of fellow UN Member States. Detailed information on the UPR process can be found here.

Through its stakeholder reports, MPV addresses intolerant positions and assaults on human rights that are being justified in the name of Islam. MPV seeks to change the narrative and reshape the perception of Islam as a loving, inclusive and human rights-promoting faith. MPV does this by engaging in constructive dialogue on human rights issues with various stakeholders at global policy platforms, while simultaneously raising awareness of such issues in relation to Islam at the grassroots level.