United Nations Human Rights Council

United Nations Human Rights Council Membership

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UN Geneva Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room

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2009 Protest at UN against China's re-election in the Human Rights Council 聯合國外抗議中國在人權委員會資格

Destroyed house in the south of Sanaa 12-6-2015-3

United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations (UN) system, responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and making recommendations on them. It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year. It was created by the UN General Assembly on 15 March 2006 by resolution 60/251 to replace the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR), which had been criticized for allowing countries with poor human rights records to be members.

History

The UNHRC was established to address human rights violations in a more efficient and effective manner. The council was designed to overcome the challenges and criticisms faced by its predecessor, the UNCHR, by implementing a Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism that assesses the human rights situations in all UN member states. The establishment of the UNHRC marked a significant reform in the UN's human rights machinery.

Structure

The Council is made up of 47 UN member states which are elected by the UN General Assembly through a direct and secret ballot. The membership is based on equitable geographical distribution, and seats are distributed as follows: African States: 13 seats; Asia-Pacific States: 13 seats; Latin American and Caribbean States: 8 seats; Western European and other States: 7 seats; Eastern European States: 6 seats. Members serve for a period of three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.

Functions and Procedures

The UNHRC meets at the UN Office at Geneva. The main functions of the council include the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, addressing human rights violations, including gross and systematic violations, and making recommendations on them. One of the key features of the UNHRC is the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism, which assesses the human rights situations in all 193 UN member states over a four-and-a-half-year cycle. The council also works closely with the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, which are independent human rights experts with mandates to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective.

Challenges

Despite its efforts to improve upon the work of its predecessor, the UNHRC has faced criticism for the politicization of its agenda and the quality of its membership, with some member states accused of having poor human rights records themselves. The effectiveness of the council's mechanisms, such as the UPR, has also been questioned in terms of their ability to bring about real change in member states' human rights practices.

Impact

The UNHRC has played a crucial role in addressing numerous human rights issues around the world. Through its resolutions, special sessions, and the work of its Special Procedures, the council has brought international attention to situations of concern, from the Syrian Civil War to the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar. Its efforts to promote human rights education, training, and advisory services have also contributed to the global human rights agenda.