The 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council convened Monday in Geneva, Switzerland.

Under the agenda Item 2 of the Council the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk presented the Human Rights Global Update. Among the other issues that require Council’s immediate attention he, in particular, encouraged Armenia and Azerbaijan to accelerate peace efforts anchored in human rights. He also underlined the importance of free and safe movement through the Lachin corridor, and the need to avoid humanitarian impact on civilians.

Turk stressed that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has for years sought access to areas under the effective control of de facto authorities in the South Caucasus region. He said that people were more vulnerable by the absence of regular monitoring by, and contact with, the UN's human rights authorities. Access would enable to conduct human rights assessments and address people's needs, as well as helping to build confidence.