One relative constant over the twenty-year history of the Human Rights Council has been that the body’s mandate to ‘address situations of violations of human rights, including gross and systematic violations’ (paragraph 3 of GA resolution 60/251) has largely been…

<
>

On 4 February, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the body is at risk of ‘imminent financial collapse’ due to unpaid fees and a budget rule that forces it to return unspent funds. Recent years have also seen major cuts…

<
>

General Assembly adopts resolution guiding the review and rationalisation of mandates across the UN system On 31 March, the General Assembly adopted a resolution on ‘Mandate creation, implementation, and review for an efficient and effective United Nations,’ a move the…

<
>

Quick summary The 61st regular session of the Human Rights Council (HRC61) was held from Monday, 23 February to Tuesday 31 March 2026.  UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk delivered a global update to the Human Rights Council…

<
>

Recent cycles of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) have increasingly prioritised the implementation of UPR recommendations. However, Human Rights Council (HRC) Item 6 adoptions remain largely procedural, with States under review (SuRs), UN entities, and CSOs mostly focusing on whether…

<
>

by The URG Team and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung

Ensuring Dignity and Realising Rights: Measuring the Impact of the United Nations ...

Since its establishment eight decades ago, the United Nations has played a central role in raising awareness about and advancing…

May 22 2026

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG Team

Glion XI: Beijing at 30

The eleventh Glion Human Rights Dialogue (Glion XI), organised by the Universal Rights Group (URG) in partnership with UN Women,…

May 5 2026

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG Team

OSLO+5 – Human rights-based approach to development and accelerating progress towa...

On 29-30 September 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, supported by the Universal Rights Group, and the Oslo+…

Feb 24 2026

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG Team

Confronting Inequality and Leaving No-One Behind: Turning the United Nations' Huma...

Leave no one behind (LNOB) is the central, transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable…

Feb 19 2026

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Marc Limon and Lola Sánchez Arcos

Introducing a Human Rights-Powered Approach

As the UN enters its 80th year, it does so amid a profound financial, political, and legitimacy crisis, marked by…

Jan 28 2026

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by SAPI and URG

Towards a Human Rights-Based Approach to New and Emerging Technologies: Operationa...

This report, produced by SAPI and URG, are the fourth installation of an annual paper series focusing on a human…

Jan 22 2026

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG Team

The Human Rights Council in 2025

What were the main developments, achievements and flash-points at the Human Rights Council in 2025? What were the Council’s principal…

Dec 5 2025

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

A Human Rights Powered Approach to Gender Equality

2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA), the world’s most…

Nov 5 2025

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG Team

Guide to the 2025 UN Human Rights Council Elections

The eleventh annual yourHRC.org Guide to the Human Rights Council elections provides comprehensive at-a-glance information on the 2025 Council elections…

Oct 9 2025

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG Team

Glion X: Transforming universal norms into local reality

The tenth Glion Human Rights Dialogue (Glion X), organised by the Kingdom of Morocco and the Universal Rights Group (URG),…

Feb 25 2025

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG Team

The Human Rights Council in 2024

What were the main developments, achievements and flash-points at the Human Rights Council in 2024? What were the Council’s principle…

Dec 5 2024

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG Team

Guide to the 2024 UN Human Rights Council Elections

The tenth annual yourHRC.org Guide to the Human Rights Council elections provides comprehensive at-a-glance information on the 2024 Council elections…

Oct 7 2024

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG Team

Realising human rights as a critical contribution to confronting the triple planet...

From March 2023 through March 2024, the Universal Rights Group (URG) conducted an analysis to assess and understand the extent…

May 27 2024

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by the URG Team

Harnessing human rights towards a mine-free world: Restoring victims' rights, prom...

States’ human rights obligations should inform national policy in addressing the use and presence of mines, including their removal; education…

May 25 2024

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

Protecting the Frontline: Good practices for Recognising and Supporting Environmen...

Across the world, environmental human rights defenders (EHRDs) have been catalysing actions to safeguard a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.…

May 15 2024

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

Understanding human rights related to the environment: exploring their scope and i...

The objective of this document is to provide information about the status and scope of human rights related to the…

May 15 2024

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by the URG Team

The emergence and evolution of National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting, ...

Universal Rights Group's groundbreaking new policy report on national mechanisms for implementation, reporting, and follow-up (NMIRFs) addresses head-on, and for…

Apr 8 2024

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by the URG Team

The Human Rights Council in 2023

What were the main developments, achievements and flash-points at the Human Rights Council in 2023? What were the Council’s principle…

Dec 5 2023

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by URG Team

Glion IX: Placing NETs at the service of human rights and democracy

The ninth Glion Human Rights Dialogue (Glion IX), organised by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the…

Nov 17 2023

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by the URG Team

Guide to the 2023 UN Human Rights Council Elections

The ninth annual yourHRC.org Guide to the Human Rights Council elections provides comprehensive at-a-glance information on the 2023 Council elections…

Sep 22 2023

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by URG Team

From reaction to prevention: report of transatlantic roundtable on prevention

This report summarises the transatlantic dialogue on prevention organised by International Crisis Group and the Universal Rights Group, in collaboration…

Aug 31 2023

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by ALLIED Team

Building Bridges for At-Risk Indigenous, Land and Environmental Defenders

On 11-13 April 2023, ALLIED - the Alliance for Land, Indigenous, and Environmental Defenders - brought together ALLIED members; donors;…

Aug 17 2023

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Marc Limon

For people; for planet

On Friday 8 October 2021, member states of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (Council) moved to adopt two…

Jul 13 2023

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by UNFPA, the URG Team

Advancing Rights, Transforming Lives

This report reviews how the UN human rights system has taken up women's rights, gender equality and sexual and reproductive health…

Jul 11 2023

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by NYU, the URG Team

Unpacking the Right to a Healthy Environment

On 8 October 2021, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted its historic resolution 48/13 recognizing the human right to…

Jul 3 2023

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Marc Limon

A diamond in the rough

GA resolution 60/251 establishing the Human Rights Council and setting out its mandate recognises the primary responsibility of States to…

Jun 26 2023

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The Commonwealth, the URG Team

Bridging the Human Rights Implementation Gap: A Commonwealth Survey

In January 2022, the Commonwealth Secretariat launched a survey of national frameworks for the implementation of international human rights obligations…

Mar 3 2023

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Pakistan Permanent Mission

Report of the 8th Istanbul Process Meeting

Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva organized the 8th Istanbul Process (IP) virtually, on 16 February 2022.…

Dec 23 2022

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by the URG Team

The Human Rights Council in 2022

What were the main developments, achievements and flash-points at the Human Rights Council in 2022? What were the Council’s principle…

Dec 14 2022

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by SAPI, the URG Team

Towards a human rights-based approach to new and emerging technologies

‘Technology is not neutral.’ This statement increasingly represents the consensus position of technologists, human rights campaigners, ethicists, and political scientists.…

Dec 9 2022

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by the URG Team

OSLO+2 –The contribution of human rights and development cooperation to prevention

On 8-9 June 2022, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (Peace and Human Rights Division, and Swiss Agency for…

Nov 10 2022

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by the URG Team

How to secure accountability for serious human rights violations?

Report of the Accountability Roundtable Series The need for greater ‘accountability’ for human rights violations and abuses is an oft-repeated…

Oct 20 2022

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by the URG Team

Guide to the 2022 Human Rights Council Elections

The eighth annual yourHRC.org Guide to the Human Rights Council elections provides comprehensive at-a-glance information on the 2022 Council elections…

Oct 5 2022

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by the URG Team

Glion VIII: The right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment

The eighth Glion Human Rights Dialogue (Glion VIII), organised by the Governments of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and the Universal Rights Group…

Sep 28 2022

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

You are not alone

‘Environmental human rights defenders’ (EHRDs) are individuals or groups who peacefully protect the environment and the human rights that depend…

Apr 30 2022

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by the ALLIED Team

Supporting Environmental Human Rights Defenders

Over the last two years, the Alliance for Land, Indigenous, and Environmental Defenders (ALLIED) worked closely with defenders and local…

May 6 2022

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by the ALLIED Team

Understanding and responding to the protection needs of climate activists and move...

As climate change impacts our everyday lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems, significantly harming the world’s most vulnerable populations, thousands of individuals…

May 6 2022

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by URG team

The Human Rights Council in 2021

What were the main developments, achievements and flash-points at the Human Rights Council in 2021? What were the Council’s principle…

Dec 14 2021

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG Team

Placing digital technology at the service of democracy and human rights (3D2)

From 16-17 November, a high-level meeting of State representatives, UN officials, technology company representatives, and civil society, took place in…

Dec 7 2021

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Universal Rights Group

Guide to the 2021 Human Rights Council Elections

The seventh annual yourHRC.org Guide to the Human Rights Council elections provides comprehensive at-a-glance information on the 2021 Council elections…

Sep 28 2021

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Universal Rights Group

Glion VII: Human rights in the digital age

The seventh Glion Human Rights Dialogue (Glion VII), organised by the Governments of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and the Universal Rights Group…

Jun 24 2021

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG Team

Building a coherent Human Rights Council-Security Council relationship

In her first address to the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) Third Committee as High Commissioner for Human Rights in…

Mar 31 2021

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

#ElMomentoEsAhora

Este nuevo informe de políticas públicas cuenta la historia de los debates internacionales sobre derechos humanos y medio ambiente, derechos…

Feb 23 2021

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by David Boyd, John Knox, Marc Limon

#TheTimeIsNow

This new policy report tells the story of international discussions on human rights and environment, human rights and climate change, and…

Feb 23 2021

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by the URG Team

OSLO+Digital – How can a human rights-based approach to development help the world...

On 9 and 10 June 2020, the Permanent Missions of Denmark and The Netherlands to the UN in Geneva, in…

Jan 1 2021

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by the URG Team

The Human Rights Council in 2020

What were the main developments, achievements and flash-points at the Human Rights Council in 2020? What were the Council’s principle outputs…

Dec 15 2020

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by UNICEF, the URG Team

Realizing rights, changing lives

The international community has invested enormous time and energy in building the international human rights system over the past 70…

Nov 12 2020

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG Team

7th meeting of the Istanbul Process

On 18-19 November 2019, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands with the support of the…

Sep 9 2020

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG team

Guide to the 2020 UN Human Rights Council Elections

Jan 1 1970

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Dr. Edward Cameron

A World Made New: Beyond COVID-19 to a low-carbon, resilient and inclusive world

In the midst of the COVID-19 public health emergency and economic crisis, as we yearn for the social contact and…

May 12 2020

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Marc Limon and Mariana Montoya

The Prevention Council

UN efforts over the past thirty years to shift its approach to crises and conflicts from reaction to prevention have…

Feb 3 2020

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG Team

The Human Rights Council in 2019

‘The Human Rights Council in 2019’ report aims to provide, inter alia: A written analysis of the main events and…

Dec 5 2019

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG Team

OSLO+1 - International support for the national implementation of UN human rights ...

On 10 May 2019, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden and the Swedish Agency for International Development Cooperation (Sida),…

Nov 12 2019

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Danica Damplo, Rodrigo Saad

Policy or aspiration

The question of ‘what happened to Human Rights up Front’ is an oft-repeated refrain in meetings with New York civil…

Oct 25 2019

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The Universal Rights Group with the kind support of Switzerland

Vision 2021

Between 2021 and 2026, the General Assembly (GA) is scheduled to consider the question of the status of the Human…

Oct 14 2019

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by European Union, Denmark and the URG

Eight years of the Istanbul Process on combatting religious intolerance: Taking stock

The main intergovernmental policy framework for combatting religious intolerance, stigmatisation, discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against persons based on…

Oct 7 2019

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by URG team

Guide to the Human Rights Council 2019 Elections

On Monday 23 September 2019, the Permanent Mission of Norway and the Universal Rights Group (URG) hosted a lunch reception to mark the…

Sep 23 2019

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Universal Rights Group

Glion VI: Towards 2026 - Perspectives on the future of the Human Rights Council

The sixth Glion Human Rights Dialogue (Glion VI), organised by Switzerland and the Universal Rights Group (URG), in partnership with…

Sep 4 2019

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Universal Rights Group, Environmental Investigation Agency, Business and Human Rights Resource Centre.

Emergency and non-Emergency Support for Environmental Defenders

The situation for defenders of the land, the environment, and the territory (LEDs) in Latin America is nothing short of…

Dec 7 2018

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Marc Limon and Mariana Montoya

Clustering and the integrated implementation of recommendations

Over the past seventy years, United Nations (UN) member States have elaborated and adopted eight ‘core’ international human rights treaties.…

Jun 1 2019

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by the Universal Rights Group, HRMI

Is the global situation of human rights improving or deteriorating?

Commentary on the worldwide human rights situation is often characterised by assertions of an unfolding human rights crisis in much…

Jun 10 2019

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

Lifting religion-based reservations to the core international human rights convent...

On 9th and 10th January 2019, the Universal Rights Group, with the support of the Federal Republic of Germany and…

Mar 1 2019

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

The Human Rights Council in 2018

‘The Human Rights Council in 2018’ report aims to provide, inter alia: A written analysis of the main events and…

Dec 3 2018

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The Commonwealth Secretariat, Universal Rights Group

The global human rights implementation agenda: the role of national parliaments

This new policy brief, published by the URG and the Commonwealth secretariat, is the second in a new series of…

Nov 28 2018

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Universal Rights Group, Environmental Investigation Agency, Business and Human Rights Resource Centre.

Emergency and non-Emergency Support for Environmental Defenders

La situación de las personas y comunidades defensoras del medio ambiente, la tierra y el territorio en América Latina (DAT)…

Nov 1 2018

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

Identificando y superando los riesgos, amenazas y desafíos que enfrentan quienes d...

Durante el 8 y el 9 de noviembre de 2017, Universal Rights Group América Latina, el Relator Especial de las…

Oct 3 2018

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG Team

Oslo - Global Human Rights Implementation Agenda: the role of international devel...

This is the first in a new series of policy reports exploring how universal human rights standards are translated, through…

Sep 23 2018

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG team

Guide to the 2018 UN Human Rights Council Elections

Jan 1 1970

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Universal Rights Group

Glion V: The place of human rights in a reformed United Nations

The fifth Glion Human Rights Dialogue (Glion V), held in Chardonne, Switzerland, from 30-31 May 2018, considered the place of…

Sep 6 2018

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Angela Barkhouse, Hugo Hoyland and Marc Limon

Corruption: a human rights impact assessment

Corruption, especially grand corruption, has enormous implications, both direct and indirect, for the enjoyment of human rights. Corruption undermines -…

Apr 30 2018

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Marc Limon (URG)

Reform of the UN human rights petitions system

The human rights communications procedures are central to the purpose, effectiveness and credibility of the United Nations – representing the…

Jan 30 2018

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

Human Rights Council strengthening conference

There is a growing recognition that as the Human Rights Council (HRC) approaches its twelve year anniversary there is a…

Jan 16 2018

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

Derechos Humanos y Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible - Alcanzando sinergias

Si la Agenda 2030 debe implementarse de una manera en la que realmente "no se deje a nadie atrás", entonces…

Dec 15 2017

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

Human Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals - Pursuing Synergies

If the 2030 Agenda is to be realised in a way that truly does ‘leave no one behind,’ then human…

Dec 15 2017

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

The Human Rights Council in 2017

The ‘Human Rights Council in 2017’ report provides a critique of the main events, developments, successes and failures of the Human…

Dec 12 2017

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by the URG team

Glion IV: Operationalizing the Council's 'prevention' mandate

The Human Rights Council’s mandate to respond to human rights violations, including gross and systematic violations - as set down…

Sep 5 2017

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG team

Guide to the Human Rights Council 2017 Elections

The present document is the third annual ‘yourHRC.org election guide.’ It provides general information on the 2017 Human Rights Council…

Aug 22 2017

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by John Knox - Relator Especial de las Naciones Unidas para los derechos humanos y el medio ambiente

Defensores de Derechos Humanos Ambientales: Una crisis global

"A menos que la comunidad internacional refuerce su apoyo y mejore su protección a los defensores de los derechos humanos…

Jun 6 2017

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Mariana Montoya (URG) and Basac Çali

The march of universality?

URG’s new Policy Report on ‘The march of universality?’ by Başak Çalı and Mariana Montoya presents the findings of a…

May 17 2017

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by John H. Knox, Special Rapporteur on the human rights and the environment

Environmental human rights defenders (EHRDs): risking their today for our tomorrow

“Unless the international community strengthens its support for, and improves its protection of, environmental human rights defenders, the full enjoyment…

Mar 6 2017

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG team

6th meeting of the Istanbul Process

On 20-21 July 2016, the Government of Singapore hosted the sixth meeting of the Istanbul Process, organised in collaboration with…

Feb 14 2017

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

Media coverage of the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2016

Global human rights crises and concerns are never far for the front pages of the world's major newspapers, nor far…

Jan 19 2017

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG team

The Human Rights Council in 2016

The ‘Human Rights Council in 2016’ report provides a critique of the main events, developments, successes and failures of the Human…

Dec 15 2016

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Emmanuel Bichet and Stephanie Rutz

The Human Rights Council's relationships with the UN General Assembly and UN Secur...

As the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (‘the Council’) celebrates it tenth anniversary in 2016, this policy paper aims…

Nov 10 2016

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG team

Glion III: Human rights implementation, compliance and prevention

In 2006, the then UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, called on the Council to lead the international community from “the era…

Oct 17 2016

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG team

Guide to the Human Rights Council 2016 Elections

The present document is the second annual ‘yourHRC.org election guide.’ It provides general information on the 2016 Human Rights Council…

Aug 26 2016

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by the URG team

Candidates for the post of UN Secretary-General

During the summer of 2016, the URG conducted a human rights-based assessment of the candidates competing to fill the post…

Jul 20 2016

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Subhas Gujadhur (URG) and Marc Limon (URG)

Towards the third cycle of the UPR: stick or twist?

In 2005, Heads of State meeting at the UN’s World Summit resolved to create the Human Rights Council and asked…

Jul 11 2016

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

The Human Rights Council in 2015

2015 will be remembered for many important initiatives and developments, from the body’s work to support human rights in Sri Lanka…

Dec 21 2015

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The URG team

Guide to the 2015 UN Human Rights Council Elections

Jan 1 1970

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Jane McAdam (University of New South Wales) and Marc Limon (URG)

Human rights, climate change and cross-border displacement

The links between climate change and human rights are more widely accepted than ever before. The Human Rights Council has…

Sep 28 2015

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by the URG team

Glion II: The Human Rights Council at 10: improving relevance, strengthening impact

In 2006, member States took a significant step towards strengthening the human rights pillar of the United Nations by establishing,…

Sep 9 2015

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by The Economist Intelligence Unit

The road from principles to practice

This policy report, prepared by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), analyses levels of respect for human rights among businesses around…

Mar 16 2015

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Subhas Gujadhur (URG), Toby Lamarque (URG)

Ensuring Relevance, Driving Impact

The United Nations Human Rights Council (‘the Council’) was created through a decision taken by heads of states and governments…

Feb 25 2015

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Marc Limon (URG), Nazila Ghanea (University of Oxford), Hilary Power (URG)

Combatting global religious intolerance

It is almost impossible to turn on the news today without witnessing scenes of hatred, violence and intolerance perpetrated in…

Dec 16 2014

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Marc Limon (URG) & Hilary Power (URG)

History of the United Nations Special Procedures Mechanism

​The United Nations’ independent human rights experts – otherwise known as ‘Special Procedures’ - are considered by many to be, in…

Sep 23 2014

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

Glion I: reflections on the future of the UN human rights pillar

On 4th September, the Governments of Norway and Switzerland, together with the Universal Rights Group, presented a report on 'Reflections…

Sep 4 2014

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Christen Broecker (Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights)
Professor Michael O’Flaherty (Irish Centre for Human Rights)

The Outcome of the General Assembly’s Treaty Body Strengthening Process

In February 2012, the General Assembly initiated an ‘intergovernmental’ review process aimed at strengthening the UN human rights Treaty Body…

May 25 2014

Visit the report page Download the report View the report

by Ted Piccone (Brookings Institution), Marc Limon (URG)

Special Procedures: Determinants of Influence

This report on the United Nations system of independent human rights experts is the result of a year-long project led…

Apr 30 2014

Visit the report page Download the report View the report