The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the UN system made up of 47 States responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.  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. 

One year after holding its first meeting, on 18 June 2007, the Council adopted its “Institution-building package” [Word file] providing elements to guide it in its future work.  Among the elements is the new Universal Periodic Review mechanism which will assess the human rights situations in all 192 UN Member States.  Other features include a new Advisory Committee which serves as the Council’s “think tank” providing it with expertise and advice on thematic human rights issues and the revised Complaints Procedure mechanism which allows individuals and organizations to bring complaints about human rights violations to the attention of the Council.  The Human Rights Council also continues to work closely with the UN Special Procedures established by the former Commission on Human Rights and assumed by the Council. 

Human Rights Council's Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Concludes Inaugural Session in Geneva

Human Rights Council's Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to hold First Meeting in Geneva

Human Rights Council concludes ninth regular session

Human Rights Council adopts five texts, extends mandates of Special Procedures on Sudan and Burundi

Human Rights Council adopts 19 texts on various issues

More press releases...

Statement of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, at the opening of the 9th regular session — 8 September

Draft timetable for 9th Regular Session (8 to 26 September 2009) — as of 12 September 2008 (PDF)

Annual Programme of Work for 3rd Cycle — as of 18 August (PDF)

Selection of troikas for Universal Periodic Review — 3rd, 4th and 5th sessions (PDF)

Nominations / Public List of Candidates for Special Procedures Mandates

Nominations / Public List of Candidates for the Expert mechanism on the rights of indigenous peoples

Follow-up to Special Sessions of the Human Rights Council

Live webcast and archives