HRC Must Respond Effectively to Human Rights Violations

In this brief initial paper, Human Rights Watch seeks to contribute to the ongoing discussions about how the Human Rights Council should function and develop its work. The first year of the Council will be one of transition, but also a unique occasion to build a principal human rights organ that delivers results in the short, medium, and long term. This paper primarily focuses on the universal periodic review, country situations, and the review of special procedures.