United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

In News

• Recently, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted on a draft resolution to suspend Russia from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). 

About

• Reason for Suspension: 
  • For “systemic violations” by Russians troops in Ukraine. 
  • It came as a global response to the alleged war crimes by  Russian forces in Bucha, a town outside Kyiv.
• Other country to be suspended ever:
  • Libya was the last country to be suspended in 2011 because of violence by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi against angry protestors.
• China’s stand:
  • China strongly opposed the US-backed resolution on grounds that it would aggravate the situation and worsen it.

Image Courtesy: News 

India’s Stand

• India abstained from the vote saying any such decision must follow the “due process” of investigation first.
• India unequivocally condemned the deeply disturbing reports of civilian killings in the Ukrainian city of Bucha.
• India’s approach will be to promote dialogue to end the conflict.
• India’s Current Approach:
  • Since January, India has abstained on at least 11 occasions on procedural votes and draft resolutions in the UN Security Council, the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council.

UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

• About: 
  • It is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system.
• History:
  • The UNHRC replaced the former UN Commission on Human Rights. 
  • It was created by the UNGA on March 15, 2006, and the body met in its first session in June, 2006. 
• Functions: 
  • It is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. 
  • It also addresses and makes recommendations on situations of human rights violations.
  • It can discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations.
  • The Council also works with the UN Special Procedures established by the former Commission on Human Rights, consisting of special rapporteurs, special representatives, independent experts, and working groups. 
    • Their work is to monitor, examine, advise and report on thematic issues or human rights situations in specific countries.
• Working of the Council:
  • In 2007, the Council adopted an “institution-building package” to set up its procedures and mechanisms. 
  • 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 Procedure: Allows 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.
  • The Human Rights Council President of the 16th Cycle (2022) is Federico Villegas, who is the Permanent Representative of Argentina to the UN and other international organisations in Geneva. 

Significance of Human Rights

• Human rights are relevant to every aspect of human lives. 
• They are central for human dignity and for a better world for all. 
• They are key to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.

Challenges

• Poverty and Global Inequities: Poverty erodes economic and social rights such as the right to health, adequate housing, food and safe water, and the right to education.
• Discrimination: Discrimination of people and groups based on characteristics such as race, gender, age or sexual orientation affects human rights of people.
• Violence & Killings: The extrajudicial executions, “disappearances”, torture including rape, hostage-taking, detention on the sole ground of ethnic origin, etc. are obstacles in protection of human rights.
• Impunity:  The failure to bring perpetrators of human rights violations to justice undermines human rights at large.
• Weak institutions:  Weak institutions, resulting from bad governance, greatly endangered several human rights.

Suggestions

• Focus on prevention of conflict, violence and insecurity;
• Need to create a global constituency for rights;
• The five priority areas that need re-enforcement:
  • Increased presence in countries;
  • Strengthened leadership role of the High Commissioner;
  • Closer partnerships with United Nations agencies and with civil society;
  • Strengthening the relation between OHCHR and UN human rights bodies;
  • Strengthening OHCHR’s internal capacity.

Source: IE