The Council this afternoon heard a presentation by Council President Luis Alfonso de Alba of a Presidential text on institution-building, which aimed to serve as a basis for discussions on finalizing the institution-building of the Council during its fifth session. Algeria also made a statement on…

The Human Rights Council this morning concluded its interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteurs on the right to food, the adverse effects of the illicit movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes on the enjoyment of human rights, and adequate housing as a component of the…

Many Speakers Urge Council to Abolish All Country-Specific Mandates, Others Call on Belarus and Cuba to Cooperate with the Experts The Human Rights Council took up the situation of human rights in Belarus and Cuba in a midday meeting today, triggering numerous calls for the Council to abolish…

Speakers Call for an End to Country Specific Mandates, Independent Expert on Situation in Haiti Receives Wide Praise The Human Rights Council took up the situation of human rights in Cambodia, Haiti and Somalia this afternoon, hearing repeated calls for an end to country specific Special…

Hears Address by High Commissioner for Human Rights; Takes up Reports of Experts on Independence of Judges and Lawyers and on Racism The Human Rights Council this morning opened its fifth session, hearing an address by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and taking up the…

Concludes Interactive Dialogue on Independence of Judges and Lawyers and on Racism and Racial Discrimination The Human Rights Council this afternoon discussed the reports of the Special Rapporteurs on the right to food, toxic and dangerous products and wastes, adequate housing and human rights…

The Human Rights Council will hold its fifth session from 11 to 18 June at the Palais des Nations to debate the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. At the beginning of the session, the Council will hear from a number of its thematic and country-specific Special Rapporteurs…

Michelle Bachelet, the President of Chile, told a special meeting of the Human Rights Council today that at this crucial time in the Council’s institution building, it was important to act before fresh tragedies took place, and the systems of Special Procedures and early warning were of key…

The Human Rights Council will hold a special meeting on Monday, 4 June to hear an address by Michelle Bachelet, the President of Chile, who will speak about Chile’s position on the importance of strengthening the system of the promotion and protection of human rights. Ms. Bachelet is also expected…

The Human Rights Council this morning adopted seven resolutions and two decisions, including a text on Darfur in which it expressed its deep concern regarding the seriousness of the ongoing violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Darfur and decided to convene a group to be…