In ‘Historic’ Vote, General Assembly Creates New UN Human Rights Council

Summary: In an historic vote, the United Nations General Assembly yesterday voted overwhelmingly on a resolution to establish a new Human Rights Council to replace the much-criticised Human Rights Commission.

The resolution was adopted by a vote of 170 in favour with 4 against – the United States, Israel, the Marshall Islands and Palau – with Venezuela, Iran and Belarus abstaining.

Welcoming the vote, which follows months of negotiations, Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who first suggested the creation of the new Council in a report to the General Assembly one year ago, said it gave the UN “a much needed chance to make a new beginning in its work for human rights around the world.”

In opening remarks to the Assembly before the vote, General Assembly President Jan Eliasson, who led the often contentious negotiations, called the session a “decisive moment” not only for human rights but for the standing of the UN as a whole. 

Eliasson highlighted several elements that would make the Council a “significant improvement” on the Commission. 

• membership has gone down from 53 to 47 and is to be elected by an absolute majority. Candidates will be elected on their human rights commitment. De facto permanent membership is eliminated;
• a new provision gives the GA the ability, through a two-thirds majority vote, to suspend the membership of a Council member that commits gross and systematic violations of human rights;
• the Council is to hold three sessions per year for no less than ten weeks with the ability to hold special sessions upon request of a Council member with support of one-third of the Council;
• the Council would be a subsidiary body of the General Assembly and thus have a higher institutional standing;
• a universal periodic review of all UN member states subject all States to guaranteed scrutiny. 

In a statement, Mr. Annan, who is travelling in Africa, thanked the Assembly President for his efforts, but acknowledged that this was “only the first step in a process of change,” adding that “now the real work begins.”

“The true test of the Council’s credibility will be the use that Member States make of it. If, in the weeks and months ahead, they act on the commitments they have given in this resolution, I am confident that the Council will breathe new life into all our work for human rights, and thereby help to improve the lives of millions of people throughout the world,” Mr. Annan noted.

He went on to say that while the resolution “gives us a solid foundation, on which all who are truly committed to the cause of human rights must now build,” no country would be wholly satisfied with every paragraph, although such was “the nature of international negotiations.”

The Council is expected to convene its first session on 19 June 2006 following the elections of members on 9 May.

More information

US statement explaining vote against Human Rights Council

Summary of statements by Member States on the Human Rights Council

Statement of support by Louise Arbour, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

For all the latest news and NGO statements on the Human Rights Council, visit: http://www.crin.org/chr/news