UPSC Articles
United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)
Part of: Prelims and GS II – International Relations
Context: Russia’s membership to the Human Rights Council (HRC), was suspended recently after the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) voted to adopt a resolution suspending Moscow from the UN body.
- Russia was elected to UNHRC in 2020.
- India abstained from voting during the resolution.
What is the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)?
- The Council was created through the resolution 60/251.
- Established in: 2006.
- Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland
- Aim: (1) To Promote and protect human rights around the globe; (2) To investigate alleged human rights violations.
- Features: The UNHRC has 47 members elected for three-year terms on a regional group basis from 5 groups.
- Membership: To become a member, a country must receive the votes of at least 96 of the 191 states of the UN General Assembly (an absolute majority).
- Members are elected directly by secret ballot by the majority of the UN General Assembly.
- Five regional groups for membership: Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, Western Europe and Eastern Europe.
- The members are elected for a period of three years, with a maximum of two consecutive terms.
- Sessions: The UNHRC holds regular sessions three times a year.
News Source: TH
