UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

Why in news?

• UN General Assembly elected 15 new members to the Human Rights Council.

About UNHRC

• It is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system. UNHRC replaced the former UN Commission on Human Rights. It was created by the UN General Assembly on March 15, 2006, and the body met in its first session in June 2006.
• Universal Periodic Review assesses the human rights situations in all UN Member States. The Advisory Committee serves as the Council’s think tank providing it with expertise and advice on thematic human rights issues. The Complaint Procedureallows individuals and organisations to bring human rights violations to the Council’s attention.

Membership of the Council

• The Council is made up of 47 UN Member States who are elected by majority vote through a direct and secret ballot at the UNGA. 
• The membership of the Council is based on equitable geographical distribution.
  • African and Asia-Pacific states have 13 seats each, 
  • Latin American and Caribbean states have 8 seats, 
  • Western European and other states have 7 seats, and 
  • Eastern European states have 6 seats.
• The UNGA 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.

Tenure

• The members serve for three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.

Funding

• Almost two-thirds of UN Human Rights income comes from voluntary contributions from the Member States and other donors. 
• The remainder is covered by the UN regular budget.
  • The UN regular budget, approved by the General Assembly, is funded by “assessed contributions” from each Member State. 
  • These are determined according to a formula that takes into account the size and strength of their respective national economies.

Leadership of the Council

• The Council has a five-person Bureau, consisting of a president and four vice-presidents, each representing one of the five regional groups. 
• They serve for a year each, in accordance with the Council’s annual cycle.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following statements regarding UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC):

1. The members of the council serve for a period of five years.
2. The members of the council are elected by the UN General Assembly.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer