A/HRC/33/25 General Assembly Distr.: General 15 July 2016 Original: English Human Rights Council Thirty-third session Agenda items 2 and 3 Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development Summary of the discussions held during the expert workshop on the right to participate in public affairs Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Summary In its resolution 30/9, the Human Rights Council requested that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) organize an expert workshop to discuss the existing guidance on the implementation of the right to participate in public affairs. The workshop was aimed at identifying possible gaps and making recommendations in that regard, and at identifying new developments, trends, and innovations with respect to full, effective and equal participation in political and public affairs. The expert workshop was held in Geneva on 18 May 2016. The present report was prepared by OHCHR pursuant to the Council’s request. The main issues discussed during the workshop were the existing guidance on the right to participate, and possible gaps; current challenges to the implementation of the right to participate in public affairs; and innovations and trends in regard to the right to participate in public affairs. GE.16-12208(E) 