Information Service Geneva / Service de l’Information Genève
Note to Correspondents / Note aux Correspondants
NOTE 2013/02
22nd SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
Geneva, Switzerland, 25 February – 22 March 2013
The 22nd session of the Human Rights Council will be held at the Palais des Nations
in Geneva, Switzerland, from 25 February to 22 March 2013.
Media accreditation
Representatives of the media will need to be accredited for the coverage of the
session. All journalists applying for accreditation must submit proof that they represent a
bona fide media organization (1) and are kindly requested to send the following documents:
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A letter of assignment on the official letterhead of the media organization from the
Publisher/Assignment Editor or Bureau Chief requesting accreditation and
specifying the dates for which it is requested;
Copy of a valid press card;
Copy of a valid passport (exceptionally, two other valid photo identity documents
from a country recognized by the United Nations General Assembly can be
accepted instead of a passport).
to
Mr. François Richer
Press and External Relations Section
United Nations Information Service
Palais des Nations
CH 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
telephone: +41 22 9174359 or +41 22 9172336
fax: +41 22 9170030
email: accreditation-media@unog.ch
Once the request for accreditation is accepted, the badge can be obtained from the
Security Identification Unit at the Pregny Gate entrance of the Palais des Nations. The unit
is open from 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday (excluding holidays).
PLEASE NOTE: Applications will be considered only if accompanied by a letter
of assignment. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Accreditation is free of
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Note on bona fide media organization: The Department of Public Information must be satisfied that the
individuals applying for accreditation are bona fide media professionals and represent bona fide media
organizations [formally registered as a media organization in a country recognized by the United Nations
General Assembly]. Accreditation will only be given on proof of a track record of reporting for media
organizations on international affairs Media accreditation is not accorded to the information outlets of
non-governmental organizations. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis and the decisions of
the Department of Public Information are final. The Department of Public Information reserves the right to
deny or withdraw accreditation of journalists from media organizations whose activities run counter to the
principles of the Charter of the United Nations, or who abuse the privileges so extended or put the
accreditation to improper use or act in a way not consistent with the principles of the Organization.
charge. No acknowledgement will be mailed to the applicants.
Journalists accredited with the United Nations Office at Geneva do not need to
request accreditation.
Journalists accredited with the United Nations in New York can automatically
obtain a press badge from UNIS by simply sending a request to this effect to the United
Nations Information Service at Geneva (contacts above).
Each member of a media accompanying a Head of State, Head of Government or
Head of Delegation is also required to have an accreditation; the latter should be requested
through a “Note verbale” by the Permanent Mission of the country concerned to be
addressed to:
United Nations Information Service
Palais des Nations
CH 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
telephone: +41 22 9174359 or +41 22 9172336
fax: +41 22 9170030
email: accreditation-media@unog.ch
The letter must list the names of the media representatives with their functional
titles and media affiliations, as well as their contact numbers.
For security reasons, each member of the media will be required to wear the UN
press badge.
Entry procedures
All media personnel are advised to arrive early to allow sufficient time for
screening. Last-minute arrivals may encounter delays.
1.
Access to the UN premises in Geneva
A UN media badge will be needed. Only one type of badge will be issued to each
media representative (no-NGO/Media or Delegation/Media co-badging).
2.
Access to the meeting room
Media will have access to all public meetings. The plenary sessions will take place
in Room XX. Media will be sitting in the press gallery on the left side of the room.
Media representatives will enter room XX from the main door, and will be required
to comply with the screening procedures which are applicable to all the participants in the
session. Cameras and other audio-visual material will be subject to electronic screening.
PLEASE NOTE: These arrangements will be applicable also to the media
representatives permanently accredited to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
3.
Access to other facilities
All accredited journalists will have access to UN bars and cafeteria, and to the
restaurant which is located on the 8th floor of the Palais des Nations.
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Press conferences and interviews
The list and location of press conferences by Heads of State, Government or
Delegation, or UN Senior Officials will be posted on the website:
www.unog.ch/news
Interviews can be arranged in advance by contacting:
Mr. Rolando Gomez
Public Information Officer for the Human Rights Council
telephone: +41 22 917 9711
email: rgomez@ohchr.org
Background material
For information about negotiation issues and other assistance, please contact Mr.
Rolando Gomez (details above).
Radio
Radio studios for interviews and transmissions through ISDN lines may be booked
on +41 22 917 1077 or +41 22 917 2566.
Audio plugs are available in the press gallery.
Television
Only UNTV and one other television crew at a time may film on tripods in the
centre of Room XX. Priority will be given to a television team from the same country as
the speaker addressing the Council. Other crews may work from fixed positions at the back
of the room and on the perimeter.
Audio plugs are available at the back of the room. The use of tripods may be
restricted.
Crews are authorized to circulate in the room and film on the shoulder. This
includes limited periods in the centre of the room and in the corridors. Filming on tripods
in the corridors is not allowed. Filming of interviews and stand-ups is not allowed in the
conference rooms.
Pool coverage may be arranged as needed.
Accredited cameramen and photographers who plan to cover the sessions should
contact Ms. Yvette Morris, Chief of the Radio and Television Section, Information Service
(+41 22 917 4606) or Mr. Gilles Sereni, Production Assistant (+41 22 917 4632 or
+41 79 444 6041), email: untv@unog.ch
UN Television will provide coverage of statements in the High Level Segment of
the Council in Betacam SX, DV and DVCAM (PAL only) as well as file formats
(requestors should check format availability) to interested television and documentary
producers. Coverage requests should be made in writing, in advance. Coverage requests
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and bookings for television studio and transmission facilities should be sent to:
UN Television
Room E.10, Palais des Nations
CH 1211-Geneva 10
Switzerland
Fax: +41 22 917 0031
Email: untv@unog.ch
Photos
Photographers will work in areas on the floor designated by Information Service
staff. Pool coverage may be arranged as needed. No flash equipment may be used. For
further information, please contact Mr. Gilles Sereni (+41 22 917 4632 or +41 79 444
6041).
Photos of speakers in the High-Level Segment and some highlights of the session
will be available at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/unisgeneva
Official website and social media
Information on all aspects of the Conference can be found at the following Internet
website:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session22
The website will contain news, practical information and statements related to the
meeting.
Information about the Council will also be regularly tweeted. You can follow the
Human Rights Council on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/UN_HRC
The list of speakers and the speeches (subject to availability) will be posted on the
HRC Extranet. Please note that, like last year, hard copies of the speeches will not be
distributed in the room. To access the HRC Extranet please go to:
https://extranet.ohchr.org/sites/hrc
user name: HRC extranet
password: 1session
Webcast
The plenary sessions will be webcast. You can follow the Council proceedings or
access archives at:
http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/webcast/c/un-human-rights-council.html
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