The above mentioned group of countries presents in the Council since 2013 a resolution on equal participation in political and public affairs, until then somewhat neglected topic in the Council’s deliberations. The joint statement among others stipulated that “equal participation in political and public affairs is not optional or discretionary; it is a human right which must be respected and protected.” Ambassador Kára also announced that another resolution on this very topic will is presenting at the current session of the Human Rights Council (HRC33). The draft resolution seeks to start the drafting of UN guidelines on the effective implementation of the right to participate in public affairs. “We invite all States, civil society, and other stakeholders to engage in the negotiations of the draft resolution and support the envisaged guidelines,“ concluded the joint statement (DOC, 31 KB).