Why in the news?

• India has been elected unopposed to the Human Rights Council for the seventh time for a three-year term (2026-28) starting next year.

United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

• What is it?: The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is the principal inter-governmental body within the UN system responsible for promoting and protecting human rights globally.
• Formation: It replaced the former UN Commission on Human Rights in 2006 through UN General Assembly Resolution 60/251.
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Members: 47 States, elected by the UN General Assembly through secret ballot.
• Term: 3 years (eligible for only two consecutive terms).
• Functions:
  • Promotion and protection of human rights across the world.
  • Addressing human rights violations through dialogue, investigation, and resolutions.
  • Universal Periodic Review (UPR): A peer-review mechanism where each UN member’s human rights record is reviewed every 4–5 years.
  • Special Procedures: Appointment of Special Rapporteurs and Independent Experts on thematic or country-specific issues.
  • Advisory Committee: Provides expert research-based advice to the Council.
  • Complaint Procedure: Enables individuals or groups to bring consistent patterns of human rights violations to attention.