Human Rights Council
The UN Human Rights Council is the main intergovernmental body of the UN in the field of human rights. The Council aims to strengthen and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms worldwide. The Council was established in 2006, building on the work of the abolished UN Commission on Human Rights. It was created to strengthen the human rights pillar of the UN. Its founding document is UN General Assembly Resolution 60/251 of 2006. The Council also makes recommendations for the development of international law and is responsible for the Universal Periodic Review.
The first session of the Human Rights Council took place in June 2006. It comprises 47 member states elected by the General Assembly for a three-year term with the possibility of re-election to serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. The Council meets regularly three times a year (in March, June, and September) and also when the need arises, usually following the outbreak of a human rights crisis.
During its meetings, the Council discusses situations in individual countries as well as thematic issues pertaining to human rights in all states. The objective of the HRC is to address situations of human rights violations, to prevent such violations through dialogue and cooperation, to promote the implementation of human rights obligations, to give recommendations to the General Assembly for development of international law or to promote the human rights education. The Council also undertakes the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
After one year out, Czechia is currently again a Member State of the UN Human Rights Council for the term expiring on 31 December 2027. Previously, Czechia was a Member State of the UN Human Rights Council for multiple terms during the Council's existence. It served as a Member during the first year of the Council's existence (2006-2007), from 2011 to 2014, from 2019 to 2021 and lastly from May 2022 to December 2023. In 2023, the Permanent representative of the Czech Republic Václav Bálek was the president of the council.
Czechia is an active country in the Council, taking part in general debates and interactive dialogues as well as in negotiations of resolutions. At the September sessions of the Council in 2013, 2014 and 2018, Czechia authored and negotiated a resolution on equal political and public participation that were adopted by consensus and co-sponsored by a large number of countries. In 2022 and 2019, Czechia presented in cooperation with other countries resolutions on freedom of peaceful assembly and association which were adopted by consensus. Furthermore, Czechia focuses on topics associated with human rights in the digital environment and freedom of expression.
More information on the Council website.
