Human Rights Council

The Human Rights Council is the main inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for addressing situations of human rights violations. The Council also receives thematic and country-specific reports from a series of independent expert mechanisms, including special procedures, as well as from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Since the Council’s inception in 2006, Human Rights Watch has been involved in strengthening its capacity to promote and protect human rights worldwide and be more responsive to the needs of victims of rights violations. We work to cast a light on the activities of the Council, hold its members accountable for their actions and advance compliance with its objective of addressing “situations of violations of human rights, including gross and systematic violations” around the world.