UNHRC

Why in news:

India recently condemned Israel’s airstrike on Qatar at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session in Geneva.

UPSC Relevance:

Important International institutions, agencies and fora their structure, mandate.

UPSC PYQ:

The Security Council of UN consists of 5 permanent members, and the remaining 10 members are elected by the General Assembly for a term of

(a) 1 year

(b) 2 years

(c) 3 years

(d) 5 years

About UNHRC:

• The Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body(Established in 2006 by the General Assembly) within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.
• It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year.
• It meets at the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG).
• The Human Rights Council replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

Council membership and elections:

• The Human Rights Council consists of 47 Member States elected directly and individually by a majority of the 193 states of the UN General Assembly. 
• The Council’s Membership is based on equitable geographical distribution. Seats are distributed as follows:
  • African States: 13 seats
  • Asia-Pacific States: 13 seats
  • Latin American and Caribbean States: 8 seats
  • Western European and other States: 7 seats
  • Eastern European States: 6 seats
• The Council has a bureau which consists of a president and four vice-presidents who represent each of the regional groups.

Members of the Council serve for a period of three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.

60th Session:

Membership

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