2018: the start of a meaningful process of Human Rights Council strengthening and reform?

There is a growing recognition that as the Human Rights Council approaches its twelfth anniversary there is a need to undertake an inclusive, cross regional and structured dialogue to review how States might strengthen the fulfilment of the Council’s mandate and purpose, as set down in GA resolution 60/251. Following an important event organised by the Netherlands, UK, Latvia, Rwanda and Mexico on 1 December 2017, designed to kick start talks on the objectives and process of reform, 2018 is expected to be a key year for the Council and the wider UN human rights pillar.

Calls for reform have grown steadily over the past four years... Read more here

LATEST Policy report

Reform of the UN human rights petitions system

In this new report on the UN human rights petitions system, Marc Limon offers a first-ever comparative analysis of the visibility, accessibility, responsiveness, and effectiveness of all the main international communications procedures. The policy report concludes by offering recommendations for systemic reform of this vital - though often neglected - component of the international human rights protection system... Read it here

URG Insights

The Human Rights Council: Cooperation and dialogue for the benefit of all
By H.E. Mr Vojislav Šuc, 12th President of the Human Rights Council

It has been almost seventy years since the nations of the world adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the preamble of which reminds all of us that the ‘recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.’ But as we enter into the 70th anniversary year of the Declaration... > read more
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Strengthening coherence between the Human Rights Council and the Third Committee
By Olivia Bebe, Senior Analyst, URG

One consequence of the GA’s decision, in 2006, not to make the new Human Rights Council a main body of the UN, on par with the Security Council and the Economic and Social Council; has been significant institutional confusion about the relationship between the Council and the GA, especially the Third Committee. That confusion continue to bedevil the UN today...
> read more
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Report of HRC Special Session on the situation of the Rohingya and other minorities in Myanmar
By the URG team

On 5th December, the Human Rights Council held a special session on the ‘human rights situation of the minority Rohingya Muslim population and other minorities in the Rakhine State of Myanmar.’ The special Session was requested on 28 November 2017...
> read more
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URG Events

FUTURE EVENTS
February 23rd / 2018
Room XXII, Palais des Nations
'The role of NHRIs in promoting, tracking and reporting on domestic compliance with international human rights norms’
(Public event)
> Read more
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Past EVENTS
February 7th / 2018
Permanent Mission of the UK, Geneva
UK-URG annual retreat for new members of the Human Rights Council
(by invitation only)
> Read more

February 6th / 2018
Restaurant Vieux Bois, Geneva
Launch of the report: Reform of the UN human rights petition system
(Public event)
> Read more

February 2nd / 2018
Restaurant Vieux Bois, Geneva
‘Friday Exchange’ working lunch with Permanent Mission of Denmark
(by invitation only)
> Read more
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URG TOOLKIT

URG Country Voting History Portal

The HRC Voting Portal allows users to explore the voting records and history of all members of the Human Rights Council, past and present. State voting records offer a strong indication of the country’s commitment to universal norms and to fulfilling the mandate of the HRC to promote and protect human rights. The Voting Portal aims to improve transparency around how States are fulfilling their important responsibilities as members of the HRC, and to thereby strengthen public accountability. The portal is a key tool for diplomats, NGOs, UN officials and experts, and academics interested in the work of the UN’s preeminent human rights body.

> Start exploring

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