UN Human Rights Council
UNPO at the Human Rights Council
The Human Rights Council (HRC) is the United Nations body charged with the task of strengthening, protecting and promoting human rights around the world, replacing the former UN Commission on Human Rights.The Human Rights Council consists of 47 members, each elected within a framework designed to ensure equitable geographical representation.
Election requires the vote of an absolute majority of member states, and so aims to encourage a degree of accountability on behalf of those member states hoping to sit on the Council.
The Human Rights Council meets annually in Geneva, with provisions in place for special sessions when requested by any member state.The Council has been given the principal objective of “promoting universal respect for and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.”
This entails addressing specific violations, promoting human rights assistance and education, helping to develop international human rights law, and reviewing the human rights records of member states.
A central component of this work takes place by the Human Rights Council mandating “special procedures.” These are the mechanisms through which the Council pursues its main objective, and may focus either on an individual country or a common theme within human rights concerns.Special Procedures include a variety of activities, including responding to individual complaints, conducting studies, providing advice on technical cooperation, and engaging in general promotional activities. They may be conducted either individually by a “Special Rapporteur” or a “Special Representative of the Secretary General,” or by a Working Group.
A large number of UNPO Members have an interest in the work of the Human Rights Council. This concerns both specific human rights situations, and thematic issues such as self-determination, women’s and minority rights, and political and civil rights.UNPO works therefore to facilitate the effective participation of its Members, including collection and dissemination of information relevant to the work of the Human Rights Council, aiding networking with UN officials, and co-organising briefings.
UNPO also works to ensure Members’ human rights issues are included in written and oral statements at the Human Rights Council, and moreover makes important information about Member situations available to UN officials and Special Procedures.
