Session 4:
United Nations Investigative Human Rights Mechanisms
The International Law Section invites you to attend the fourth lecture as part of the ILS International Law and Practice Course 2025. Be inspired by Chris Sidoti as he shares his expertise on the United Nations' Investigative Human Rights Mechanisms.
Over the past 20 years, the United Nations human rights system has developed independent investigative mechanisms as a means of addressing the most serious human rights situations. The Human Rights Council currently has 11 of these mechanisms. The mechanisms investigate, undertake legal analysis, form conclusions and make recommendations. Chris Sidoti is currently a commissioner on one mechanism, dealing with Israel and Palestine. He has also served on another, on Myanmar. He will speak about the nature and work of the mechanisms and their contributions as part of the international human rights system.
Date
Tuesday
3 June 2025
Time
7:45 am - 9:00 am
AEST
Register your in-person attendance via email to ben.roberton@lawcouncil.au
Location
McInnes Wilson Lawyers, Level 16/179
Elizabeth Street, Sydney
Meet the Speaker
Chris Sidoti
Chris Sidoti is a human rights lawyer, advocate and teacher. Since July 2021, he has been a Commissioner on the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. He is also a member of the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar and was a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Independent International Fact Finding Mission on Myanmar from 2017 to 2019. He currently works from Sydney, Australia.
He has been Australian Human Rights Commissioner (1995–2000) and Australian Law Reform Commissioner (1992–1995). In 2007–08, he was the independent chair of the United Kingdom Government’s Northern Ireland Bill of Rights Forum. He worked extensively with national human rights institutions in the Asia Pacific region, on behalf of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions. He has also worked in non-government organisations, including as director of the International Service for Human Rights, based in Geneva, Switzerland, and for the Human Rights Council of Australia and the Australian Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace.