Germany presented its voluntary pledges for election to the Council for the term 2020-2022 on 30 May 2019. In the document, Germany pledged to, inter alia: Continue to strengthen the multilateral human rights system; take advantage of its position as member of the Council and the Security Council to connect peace and security and human rights; support and strengthen the Council and actively participate in discussions regarding its efficiency and status; continue to support OHCHR; continue to cooperate with the Council’s mechanisms, including by maintaining a standing invitation to Special Procedures mandate-holders, and by participating in the UPR and Treaty Bodies; promote the role of civil society in the work of the Council and support human rights defenders worldwide; continue to implement the SDGs and promote a rights-based approach to the 2030 Agenda; continue to support and promote women’s equal participation, as well as efforts to stop violence and discrimination against SOGI persons; support the work of the Independent Expert on SOGI rights; Continue to adopt and implement relevant national action plans, including inter alia, the plan to stop violence against women and girls; Continue to promote and advocate for freedom of expression and freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom from hate speech, and the rights of children; Continue the country’s full engagement on the implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; and actively engage in current debates on future human rights challenges, including climate change, environmental disasters and artificial intelligence.
An analysis of steps taken by Germany in fulfilment of its international level pledges shows that Germany is an active member of the Council, speaking, individually, in over 40% of all panel discussions, debates and interactive dialogues. Germany regularly supports OHCHR through substantial voluntary contributions. Germany has ratified all core human rights conventions and regularly engages with the human rights mechanisms. In terms of its periodic reports, Germany does not have overdue period reports to the Treaty Bodies. In terms of cooperation with Special Procedures, Germany maintains a standing invitation, has facilitated almost all visit requests, and has responded to 87% of communications. Germany has supported all initiatives regarding SOGI and women’s rights, climate change, the environment and new and emerging technologies.
Cooperation with international human rights system
Most overdue report
Fulfilment of past voluntary pledges & commitments