This 37-page report examines the United Nations human rights system, focusing on the Human Rights Council (HRC), the main UN body for promoting and protecting human rights worldwide, and, secondarily, on the special procedures, independent experts tasked with reporting and advising on human rights from thematic or country-specific perspectives, which support the work of the HRC.
This report finds that:
- Institutional strength faces the most serious challenges due to chronic underfunding and growing political polarization, making it an area where very little progress can be expected in the short term.
- Effectiveness remains deeply compromised by structural constraints and contested priorities among member states.
- While the HRC maintains reasonable levels of democracy thanks to transparency and consultative processes, growing restrictions on civil society participation also threaten this dimension.
- Comprehensive reform seems unlikely given current geopolitical tensions, but specific improvements could be useful, such as more rigorous membership criteria, protection of civil society participation, and adequate funding for special procedures.
- Despite some inconsistencies in its approach, the EU has significant potential to lead the strengthening of the global human rights architecture, especially now that the United States is reducing its commitment.
You can download the report here:
https://www.ensuredeurope.eu/publications/un-human-rights-council
