Human Rights Council

The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the UN system. It is made up of 47 States responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe. The Council is the successor to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, and reports to the UN General Assembly

The Council was created by the UN General Assembly on 15 March 2006, with the main purpose of addressing situations of human rights violations and make recommendations on them. 

The Human Rights Council, under GA resolution 60/251, is mandated to:

Promote human rights education and learning

Provide advisory services, technical assistance and capacity-building

Serves as a forum on dialogue on thematic issues on all human rights

Make recommendations to the General Assembly for further development of international law in the field of human rights

Promote the full implementation of human rights obligations undertaken by States,

Follow-up to the goals and commitments related to the promotion and protection of human rights

Undertake a universal period review of each State in the United Nations on its fulfilment of its human rights obligations and commitments

Through dialogue and cooperation contribute to the prevention of human rights violations and respond promptly to human rights emergencies

Work in close cooperation in the field of human rights with governments, regional organisations, national human rights institutions and civil society

Make recommendations with regard to the promotion and protection of human rights

Submit an annual report to the General Assembly

Key features and elements of the Council include:

Special Procedures

Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Forum on Minority Issues

Human Rights Council Complaints Procedure

Universal Periodic Review 

Human Rights Council Advisory Committee

Related Links

United Nations General Assembly

Human Rights Council

General Assembly Resolution 60/25. establishing the Human Rights Council (.pdf)

Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Forum on Minority Issues

Resolution establishing the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous People (.pdf)

Working Group on Indigenous Populations

Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council

Human Rights Council Advisory Committee

Human Rights Council Resolution 5/1 establishing the Universal Periodic Review