United Nations Human Rights Council

About United Nations Human Rights Council

• It is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations whose mission is to promote and protect human rights around the world.
• It was created by the General Assembly on 15 March 2006 by replacing the Commission on Human Rights.
• It has 47 members elected for staggered three-year terms on a regional group basis.
• Tenure of the council: The members of the Council serve for a period of three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.
• The members are elected by the majority of members of the General Assembly of the United Nations through direct and secret ballot.
• The General Assembly takes into account the candidate States' contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as their voluntary pledges and commitments in this regard.
• The Council's Membership is based on equitable geographical distribution.
• Function:
  • It investigates allegations of breaches of human rights in UN member states, and addresses important thematic human rights issues such as freedom of association and assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of belief and religion, women's rights, LGBTI rights, and the rights of racial and ethnic minorities.

Q1) What are Human rights?

These are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more.

Source: India hits out at Pakistan for raking up Kashmir issue at UNHRC