UN Human Rights Council

What is the Human Rights Council?

The Human Rights Council is the body created by the United Nations Member States to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. The Council replaces the UN Commission on Human Rights. The Council had its first session on June 19, 2006, after the Commission was abolished on June 16, 2006.

What are the main objectives of the Human Rights Council?

The Council is responsible for promoting universal respect for and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all. It aims to address violations, promote human rights assistance and education, help develop international human rights law, review the human rights records of member States, work to prevent abuses, respond to emergencies, and serve as international forum for dialouge on huam rights issues.

What Makes the Human Rights Council different from each predecessor?

The Commission's members were selected behind closed doors and then "elected" by acclamation. By contrast, the new members of the Council had to compete for seats, and succesful candidates needed to win the support of a majority of all member states, in secret ballot. For the first time ever, candidates gave voluntary commitments to promote and uphold human rights, and are expected to meet them or else face possible suspension for the Council.

The resolution establishing the Council also stresses the importance of ending double-standards, a problem that plagued the past Commission. thus, the Council will also have a new universal periodic review mechanism, which will offer the council--and the World-- the opportunity to examine records of all 191 member States of the United Nations. Unlike before, no country can scape scrutiny. This promises to be a very powerful tool for human rights advocates worlwide.

The Council meets throughout the year, whereas the Commission's limited six- week schedule severely impaired its effectiveness and flexibility. with this precious additional time, the Council should be able to undertake preventive initiatives to defuse simmering crises, and to respond quickly to emerging human rights crises.

Source: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights