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Conclusion: Towards more effective follow up and implementation

The credibility of the new HRC will depend, to a very large extent, on how its members resolve some of the issues laid out in this paper and whether decisions taken reflect real and principled commitments to human rights or the politicized machinations and deal-making that so characterized the Commission on Human Rights.

Another critical factor will be the resolve shown by the HRC to provide effective follow through on the recommendations of its various procedures and decisions set out in its own statements and resolutions.

It is vital that an effective and well-resourced mechanism be established within OHCHR to ensure that all decisions and recommendations are effectively followed up and implemented, and that there be a system of reporting back to subsequent sessions of the HRC on progress made.

Effective implementation of recommendations will require support from U.N. agencies in country to provide the training, capacity building, technical assistance, and monitoring called for in resolutions. Other recommendations will require referral to the Security Council, ECOSOC, or other bodies of the U.N. system, or of regional organizations such as the African Union, the Organization of American States, the Council of Europe, or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

The General Assembly has provided the architecture and new tools. Members of the HRC—and all interested states—must seize this historic opportunity to shape a Council that will make full use of these tools for the advancement of human rights and protection of victims. The world is watching.