The United Nations Human Rights Council isUnited Nations General AssemblyA subsidiary of, headquartered inSwitzerlandOfGeneva。Its goal is to work to protect human rights of all countries from violations.The Human Rights Council is composed of 47 members, who serve for three years and cannot be re elected after two consecutive terms.On March 15, 2006, the 60th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a resolution by 170 votes in favour, 4 against and 3 abstentions, deciding to establish a Human Rights Council with a total of 47 seats to replace the Human Rights Council, which is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerlandcommission on human rights。U.S.A、Israel、Marshall IslandsandPalauThey voted no,Venezuela、IranandBelarusAbstaining in voting.U.N.General AssemblyThere are 191 member countries in total, but 7 member countries are in arrearsUnited Nations contributionsWas canceledright to voteSeveral other Member States did not participate in the voting.
On April 7, 2022,RussiaThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that Russia decided to terminate its membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council early from the same day.[23]On October 10, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly held a plenary meeting to re-election 15 of the 47 seats of the Human Rights Council.Russia's efforts to return to the Human Rights Council failed.[36]
The Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system, which is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights globally, addressing human rights violations and making recommendations thereon.The Council is responsible for discussing all human rights issues and situations requiring attention throughout the yearUnited Nations Office at GenevaHold meetings.[7]
On March 15, 2006, the 60th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution by 170 votes in favour, 4 against and 3 abstentions, deciding to establish a 47 seat Human Rights Council to replace the one headquartered in SwitzerlandGenevaCommission on Human Rights.The resolution stipulates that the Human Rights Council isU.N.General AssemblyThe General Assembly will review the status of the Council in five years.The 47 seats on the Human Rights Council are allocated on the basis of equitable geographical distribution.Among them,AsiaAnd Africa each accounted for 13 seats,Latin AmericaandCaribbean Region8 seats,Western Europe(includingNorth AmericaandOceaniaDeveloped countries) and Eastern Europe each accounted for 7 and 6 seats.The Human Rights Council is also headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
Development history
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In December 2015, South KoreaUnited Nations Office at GenevarepresentativeCui JinglinThe Ambassador was elected as the President of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the 7th, which is the first time that South Korea has been elected as the President of the United Nations Human Rights Council.[13]
On October 28, 2016, 14 countries including China were elected members of the United Nations Human Rights Council for a term of office from 2017 to 2019.[1]
On June 19, 2018, American officials announced that the United States withdrew from the United Nations Human Rights Council.[2]
June 20, 2018, Russiapermanent mission to the United NationsHe said that Russia has applied to become a member of the 2021-2023 session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.[3]
On July 13, 2018, the General Assembly of the United Nations held a by electionIcelandMember of the United Nations Human Rights Council.[4]
On November 9, 2018, the United Nations Human Rights Council held a meeting in Geneva and unanimously approved China's participation in the third round of national human rights review report.[5]
On October 13, 2020, China was re elected as a member of the Human Rights Council for 2021-2023 at the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly.[6]
In February 2021, the Secretary of State of the United StatesLincolnAt the 46th meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council, it was officially announced that the United States would run for membership of the Human Rights Council from 2022 to 2024.[14]
On March 5, 2021, at the 46th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva,BelarusSpeaking on behalf of 70 countries, he stressed that Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs and the outside world should notInterference.[15]
On March 11, 2021, during the 46th meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council“Civilized exchangesMutual learning and promotion of human rights protection "video theme side meeting was held, from China, Germany, the Netherlands, India, JapanNepal, South AfricaSri LankaAnd other countriessocial organizationPrincipals, experts and scholars have conducted in-depth research on topics such as "human rights concept in the context of cultural diversity", "civilized dialogue to promote human rights consensus"Debate[16]。
On March 18, 2022 local time, the 49th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council held a discussion on Venezuela.Minister Jiang Duan, Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations in Geneva, made a speech urging the United States to stop violating the human rights of the Venezuelan people.[21]
On April 6, 2022,AFPMessage,President of the United Nations General AssemblySaid that the UN General Assembly willVotingWhether to suspend Russia's membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council as an invasionUkrainePunishment of "[22]。On April 7, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying that Russia decided to terminate its membership in the United Nations Human Rights Council early from the same day.[23]On April 7,IsraelVoted for the UN resolution on suspending the membership of the Russian Human Rights Council.But Israelforeign ministerYair Lapid Simultaneously"The vote did not change our position on the United Nations Human Rights Council".[24]On April 16,RIA NovostiAccording to sources from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russia reserves the right toobserver state qualifications[25]。On May 10, the 77th United Nations General Assembly voted to confirmCzech RepublicMembership in the Human Rights Council[26]。On September 15, the 51st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council held a thematic meeting on the right to developmentsymposiumParticipants stressed the importance of protecting and promoting the right to development, and called on all countries to make greater efforts in post epidemic recovery to better protect all human rights through development.[27]On September 26, at the 51st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council held in Geneva, Switzerland, Pakistan made a joint statement on behalf of nearly 70 countries,We oppose interference in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights.[29]
On October 10, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly held a plenary meeting to re-election 15 of the 47 seats of the Human Rights Council.In the secret ballot, Bulgaria obtained 160 votes, Albania 123 votes, and Russia only 83 votes.[36]On October 13,At its 54th session, the United Nations Human Rights Council appointed Lu Haina, a Chinese human rights scholar, as an expert of the Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls of the United Nations Human Rights Council.[37]
organizational structure
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The eighth High Commissioner for Human Rights: Volker T ü rk[32]
Membership
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United Nations Human Rights Council
The members of the Human Rights Council are elected by secret vote of the General Assembly. Candidates must obtain the support of more than half of all members of the General Assembly (i.e. at least 96 votes) before they can be elected.If the number of candidates in the same region who have received more than half of the support of the General Assembly exceeds the total number of seats in the region, seats will be allocated according to the number of votes.The term of office of the members of the Board of Directors is 3 years. After two consecutive terms, a new term of office can be sought only after an interval of 1 year.United Nations Economic and Social CouncilThe Human Rights Commission was abolished on 16 June 2006.
The Council is composed of 47 member statesUnited Nations General AssemblyMost members are elected by direct and secret ballot.The General Assembly attaches importance to the contributions of candidate countries to the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as their voluntary pledges and commitments.
The membership of the Council is based on equitable geographical distributionDistribution principleThe seats are allocated as follows:
The term of office of the members of the Council is three years, and they may not be re elected immediately after two consecutive terms.[8]
The Bureau of the Council is composed of a President and four Vice Presidents representing the five regions. According to the annual cycle of the Council, the term of office is one year.
The term of office of the members of the Council is three years, and they can be re elected at most once.After two consecutive terms, a new term shall be sought after one year.The General Assembly re elects about one third of its members every year.With the consent of two thirds of the member States, the General Assembly may suspend the membership of the Human Rights Council of a country that seriously violates human rights.[9]
On October 17, 2019,74th United Nations General AssemblyAt the plenary meeting, 14 new members of the United Nations Human Rights Council were elected by secret ballot. The new members will take office on January 1, 2020.[10]
On October 14, 2021,The 76th United Nations General AssemblyElect 18 members of the United Nations Human Rights Council, including the United States, to replace those whose term of office expires at the end of 2021.[18]
On October 11, 2022,The 77th United Nations General AssemblyThe plenary session was held to elect 14 new members of the United Nations Human Rights Council to replace those whose term of office expires at the end of 2022.The new members will take office on January 1, 2023.
The 60th session, May 9, 2006United Nations General AssemblyIn accordance with the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, the first 47 members of the newly established Human Rights Council were elected by secret ballot, including China, FranceRussiaAnd the United Kingdom, four permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
In May 2009, the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly re elected 191 of the 18 members of the United Nations Human Rights CouncilMember States of the United NationsThe representatives of were present and voted.After a round of voting, China was successfully re elected as a member of the Human Rights Council with 167 votes, and the term of office was from 2009 to 2012.
In November 2013,The 68th United Nations General Assembly14 new members of the UN Human Rights Council were elected. China was elected with 176 votes for the term of office from 2014 to 2016.[11]
On October 28, 2016, 14 countries including China were elected members of the United Nations Human Rights Council for a term of office from 2017 to 2019.[1]
On October 10, 2023, China was successfully re elected as a member of the Human Rights Council at the 78th United Nations General Assembly for a term of office from 2024 to 2026.[35]
Contribution
China's election as a member of the Human Rights Council will help the Council to promote and protect human rights around the world.The Chinese government has always been committed to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and has actively participated in international human rights dialogue and cooperation.The Chinese Government supports the Human Rights Council in dealing with human rights issues in a fair, objective and non selective manner, and in strengtheningconstructiveDialogue and cooperation.
The position of the Chinese government on human rights is clear, and it has always attached great importance to the promotion and protection of human rights with Chinese characteristicsHuman rights developmentGreat achievements have been made on the road.Firm supportmultilateralism, firmly defendCharter of the United NationsAims and principles, in-depth participation in the work of the Human Rights Council, active promotion of international human rights exchanges and cooperation, and clear opposition to politicizing anddouble standardAnd make greater contributions to the healthy development of international human rights cause.[6]
On September 21, 2022, the 51st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council will include economic, social and cultural rightsThe right to developmentA general debate was held on thematic human rights issues.The Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva andSwitzerlandAmbassador Chen Xu, representative of other international organizations, made a joint speech on behalf of more than 30 countries, calling on all parties to adhere topeople-centeredWe should increase investment in promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights and eliminating inequality, and oppose unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law.[28]
Important meetings
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Human Rights Council
First session
The first session of the United Nations Human Rights Council was held in Geneva from 19 to 30 June 2006Palais des NationsHeld.On behalf of the Chinese government, Vice Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi put forward five proposals for creating a new situation in the international human rights cause.The meeting adopted 13 documents relating to the fight against enforced disappearance, the rights of indigenous peoplesThe right to development、PalestineAnd the human rights situation in the occupied Arab territories, incitement to racial and religious hatred, hostage taking, etc.The meeting decided to establish two working groups, respectively responsible for refining the universal periodic review mechanism and pre evaluationcommission on human rightsAnd decided to extend the work of all institutions under the former Commission for Human Rights for one year.The meeting decided to hold the Human Rights Council from September 18 to October 6, November 27 to December 8, 2006, and March 12 to April 6, 2007.
Sixth session
June 19, 2007, in SwitzerlandGenevaAt its sixth session, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a package of proposals on the establishment of the constitution of the Human Rights Council ("Chairman's text"), which established the universal periodic review mechanism (i.eCountries in the worldAll are equal, whetherdeveloping countrystilldeveloped countryAnd is reviewed every four years), special human rights mechanisms, expert advisory mechanisms, and the agenda and rules of procedure of the Council.The "Chairman's Text" has laid an important foundation for the healthy development of international human rights cause.
Tenth session
The United Nations Human Rights Council held its tenth session in Geneva from 2 to 27, and will consider human rights issues after a three-day general debatehigh commissionerAnnual report by Pillay, hearing from special human rights mechanismsRapporteurReport on DRC andPalestineSpecial human rights situation in the occupied territoriesMeeting resolutionto implementSituation report。China: We expect the Human Rights Council to make greater contributions to the international human rights cause.
Eleventh session
The eleventh session of the United Nations Human Rights Council was held inGenevaPalais des NationsYes, the meeting passed theHuman rights in ChinaFinal document of the universal periodic review.
35th meeting
The 35th meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council was opened in Geneva on June 6, 2017.The topics covered in this meeting include public healthcapacity building And human rights, women's rights and“2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, migrant children, adolescents and human rights, and human rights andracial discrimination、XenophobicPsychological and related forms of intolerance.In addition, the meeting will also help SyriaBelarus, EritreaMyanmar、burundiAnd other countries.[12]
On September 26, 2022, at the 51st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland,PakistanSpeaking on behalf of nearly 70 countries, he pointed out that the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected and non-interferenceSovereign stateInternal affairs areBasic norms of international relations。Xinjiang, Hong KongTibetAffairs are China's internal affairs.We oppose the politicization and double standards of human rights, and the interference in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights.[30]
Fifty third session
On July 11, 2023, the 53rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council held an emergency debate on the "burning of the Koran incident". Ambassador Chen Xu, Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, made a speech to explain China's relevant positions and propositions.Chen XuHe said that China supports the holding of this emergency debate and the re burning of relevant countriesThe KoranThe incident expressed strong condemnation.[34]
Fifty sixth session
On June 19, 2024, Ambassador Chen Xu, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, made a speech at the interactive dialogue segment of the annual report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the 56th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, explaining China's position and propositions.[38]
special session
9th special session
On January 9, 2009, the United Nations Human Rights Council held its ninth special session to discussGaza StripThe humanitarian crisis.
11th special session
On June 15, 2009, the eleventh meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council discussed the implementation of the resolution of the ninth special session on the Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip.
12th special session
On October 16, 2009, the 12th special session of the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution supportingGaza The recommendations made in the report of the fact finding mission call on all parties concerned to implement them.This special session shouldPalestineThe theme of the meeting is "The Occupied Palestinian Territory andEast JerusalemHuman Rights Situation ".After two days of debate, the special session adopted the resolution by 25 votes in favour, 6 against and 11 abstentions.
Important resolutions
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The 16th special session of the United Nations Human Rights Council was held in Geneva on the 29th, which was reluctantly adopted after intense debateSyriaResolution on the issue.
The resolution was adopted by 26 votes in favour, 9 against, 12 abstentions or absenteeism of the 47 members of the Human Rights Council, which shows that there are obvious differences among the members of the Human Rights Council on this issue.The resolution interferes on the grounds of human rightsthe United NationsSome member states of the Human Rights Council objected to the internal affairs of member states.
Suspension of membership
United Nations General AssemblyOn March 1, 2011ConsensusTo pass a resolution and suspendLibyaMembership of the United Nations Human Rights Council.This is the first time that the General Assembly of the United Nations has suspended a member of the Human Rights Council.
The resolution said that the United Nations General Assembly welcomed February 22, 2011arab leagueStatement issued, and February 23, 2011AUPeace andSecurity CouncilThe communiqu é issued by Libya decided to suspend Libya's membership in the Human Rights Council.
Chinapermanent mission to the United NationsIn his speech after the adoption of the resolution, Zhang Danshenzan said that considering the extremely special situation in Libya andarabandAfricaThe Chinese delegation participated in the consultations on the resolution on the concerns and propositions of the state.At the same time, the Chinese delegation believes that,U.N.General AssemblyThe suspension of the rights of members of the Libyan Human Rights Council does not constitute a precedent.Libya was elected a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council on May 13, 2010.
Main differences
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The Human Rights Council was established in accordance with the requirements of the Outcome Document of the 2005 United Nations Summit in order to replace the Commission on Human Rights, which has been constantly criticized.The main differences between the Human Rights Council and the Commission on Human Rights are as follows.
——The Human Rights Council is composed of 47 members based on equitable geographical distribution, including 13 in Africa, 13 in Asia, 6 in Eastern Europe, Latin America andCaribbean8 seats, 7 seats for Western European and other countries (including North America and Oceania);The Commission on Human Rights, on the other hand, is composed of 53 members, including 15 from Africa, 12 from Asia, 5 from Eastern Europe, 11 from Latin America and the Caribbean, and 10 from Western Europe and other countries.
(3) Different production methods
——The members of the Human Rights Council are directly elected by the General Assembly by secret ballot. The elected members must obtain the support of more than half of the 191 member States of the General Assembly, that is, at least 96 votes. For members of the Council who seriously and systematically violate human rights, the General Assembly may suspend their membership with the consent of two thirds of the member States;The Commission on Human Rights consists ofOrganization recommendation, andECOSOCApproved.
(4) Different tenure
——The term of office of the members of the Human Rights Council is three years, and they cannot be re elected after two consecutive terms;Although the term of office of the members of the Commission on Human Rights is three years, they can be re elected several times.
——The Human Rights Council shall meet at least three times a year for a total duration of at least 10 weeks, and may hold special sessions;The Commission on Human Rights meets for six weeks each spring.
——The Human Rights Council is responsible for making periodic reviews of the human rights situation of all United Nations Member States. During its term of office, members of the Council must be examined by the universal periodic review mechanism;The Commission on Human Rights has no such provisions.
