The General Assembly, which is the main deliberative body of the United Nations, is comprised of six Committees, each of which is made up of all 193 United Nations Member States. Human rights issues are handled mainly within the Third Committee (the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee). The responsibilities of this Committee include issues such as torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment; the advancement of women; the rights of refugees and displaced persons; the promotion and protection of the rights of children; the rights of indigenous peoples; the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; the right of peoples to self-determination; and social development.

From September 2022 to September 2023, the 77th session of the GA adopted 58 resolutions on human rights (37 of which by consensus) that had already been discussed and approved by the Third Committee in October and November. The resolutions concerned a wide range of issues, from international cooperation for access to justice, from protection against UN action on sexual exploitation and abuse and pandemic prevention to specific country situations.

In 2022, Italy's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York was Ambassador Maurizio Massari; the Deputy Permanent Representative was Ambassador Gianluca Greco; First Secretary Giulia De Nardis was responsible for following the activities of the Third Committee.

Resolutions on Human Rights - Italy's Behaviour

In 2022 Italy's action in support of human rights prioritised the following thematic areas: human rights to a clean environment, privacy in the digital age, the right to food, the fight against all forms of discrimination, the rights and protection of children, strengthening peace and justice, combating violence against women, focusing on protection against women genitalia mutilation, and the rights of people to self-determination. 

Furthermore, Italy sponsored and cosponsored 29 resolutions in total and was asked to pass an open vote on 21 resolutions (11 votes in favour, 7 against and 3 abstentions), 

The attached table provides an overview of the human rights’ resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2022.