UPSC Articles
USA plans to re-engage with United Nations Human Rights Council
Part of: GS Prelims and GS- II – International Relations
In news
- The USA has announced plans to re-engage with the much-maligned UN Human Rights Council that the former President withdrew from almost three years ago.
Important value additions
- The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system.
- Location: Geneva.
- Establishment: It was founded in 2006.
- It replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) that had been strongly criticised for allowing countries with poor human rights records to be members.
- Functions: (1) It investigates allegations of breaches of human rights in UN member states; (2) It also addresses important thematic human rights issues such as freedom of expression, women’s rights, LGBT rights, and the rights of racial and ethnic minorities.
- The UNHRC works closely with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
- Membership: 47 Member States elected by the UN General Assembly.
- The Council’s Membership is based on equitable geographical distribution.
- Members of the Council serve for three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.
- India has been elected to the UNHRC for three years beginning January 1, 2019.
- India had previously been elected to the UNHRC for the 2011-2014 and 2014-2017 terms.
