News Focus: Establishment of the Human Rights Council

UN News Centre | News Focus: Establishment of the Human Rights Council

Latest developments

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UN rights chief urges South Asian judges to facilitate access to justice for all

Independent UN expert urges greater efforts to help South Ossetia’s displaced

Millions in the United States lack access to affordable, adequate housing – UN

General Assembly backs findings of UN report into Gaza conflict

Key resources:

Human Rights Council inaugural session. More photos

New Human Rights Council lays groundwork for future

This Council represents a great new chance for the United Nations, and for humanity, to renew the struggle for human rights.

Address by Secretary-General to the Council (19 June 2006)

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For more details on Council work go to

the HRC website

Secretary-General

General Assembly

HRC at a glance

• Statements
• Press remarks

• Press articles
"Wise Council"

Resolution establishing the Council
GA President
Jan Eliasson
• Statements
• Press remarks

• Human Rights Council membership
• FAQs about the Council

	Multimedia

UN Human Rights first session: will it be business as usual, or will a new work ethic prevail? (7 July 2006)
Audio

General Assembly elects first members of new Human Rights Council (9 May 2006)
Video

1st vote, results; 2nd vote,results
• Summary of meeting

View highlights of the UN General Assembly vote to create a new UN human rights body(15 Mar. 2006)
Video

(statements in original languages)
• Summary of meeting

UN General Assembly President Jan Eliasson unveils his draft of the Human Rights Council at a press briefing(23 Feb. 2006)
Video

Listen to a UN Radio report on the creation of the Human Rights Council (17 Mar. 2006)
Audio

It is hardly an exaggeration to say that the eyes of the world – especially the eyes of those whose human rights are denied, threatened or infringed -- are turned towards this chamber and this Council.

Audio

Human Rights President says experts need access to probe abuses

Human Rights Council Eleventh Regular Session

Human Rights Council censures Kenya for condoning extrajudicial killings

Related press briefings

Press Conference by General Assembly President on Human Rights Council Report on Fact Finding Mission on Gaza Conflict

Press Conference on Human Rights Council Election

Related press releases

General Assembly Considers Annual Report of Human Rights Council

United States Elected to Human Rights Council for First Time, with Belgium, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, as 18 Seats Filled In Single Round of Voting

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES UNITED STATES INTENTION TO SEEK HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL SEAT; SAYS CONCRETE EMBODIMENT OF COUNTRY’S COMMITMENT TO ‘NEW ERA OF ENGAGEMENT’