Lights and shadows of the new United Nations Human Rights Council

Abstract

The Second Summit of Heads of State, held within the framework of the United Nations General Assembly, approved on September 16, 2005, the creation of a Human Rights Council responsible for promoting «universal respect for and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms»; studying situations of «gross and systematic violations of human rights»; and promoting effective coordination and the incorporation of human rights into the overall activities of the United Nations system. Subsequent negotiations culminated on March 15, 2006, with the adoption of an important General Assembly resolution establishing the first procedural framework for the Human Rights Council based on a minimum agreement. This article assesses the challenges and foreseeable obstacles that this new institution will face in light of the political balance and current regulations.