The Inside Track HRC62 looks ahead at the 61st regular session of the Council, which runs from 15 June to 7 July 2026. It aims to provide those interested in the Council’s work with an at-a-glance brief on what to expect from HRC62: the key issues, debates, and questions that are expected to keep delegates busy; the country situations that will require the Council’s attention; and the draft resolutions that will be negotiated and voted upon.
The Inside Track is produced by the Universal Rights Group with the support of the Permanent Mission of Singapore.
On 15 June, H.E. Mr. Volker Türk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, will open HRC62 with the presentation of his annual report on the human rights situation around the world. The presentation of his annual report will provide the basis for an interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner on 16 June. During the session, the Council will consider country-specific reports by the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General covering human rights issues in, inter alia: Venezuela and the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. Additionally, the High Commissioner will deliver oral updates/presentations on the attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the situation of human rights in Nicaragua, Myanmar, Colombia, and Ukraine. Other oral updates on country situations by Special Procedures mandate holders will focus on the situation of human rights in Belarus, Burundi, and Eritrea.
It will also consider High Commissioner’s and Secretary-General’s reports on a number of thematic issues, including inter alia:
• Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
• Using digital tools for stakeholder engagement: aligning corporate practice with the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
• Prevention of genocide with particular focus on early warning and genocide prevention.
• Implementation and enhancement of international cooperation in the field of human rights (High Commissioner’s report).
• Impact of anti-personnel mines on human rights.
The Council will hold 21 interactive dialogues with Special Procedures mandate-holders (18 thematic and 3 country-specific), including those dealing with: international solidarity; health; freedom of opinion and expression; education; summary executions; sexual orientation and gender identity; leprosy; climate change; migrants; trafficking; violence against women and girls; freedom of peaceful assembly and association; transnational corporations; discrimination against women and girls; judges and lawyers; extreme poverty; internally displaced persons; racism; Belarus; Burundi; Eritrea.
In addition, the Council will also hold interactive dialogues with three investigative mechanisms: the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan; the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and in Israel; and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Human Rights Situation in the South and North Kivu Provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Pursuant to President’s statement PRST OS/19/1 of 17 December 2025, no general debates will be held at the Council’s June session. Therefore, the reports and oral updates of the High Commissioner, the Secretary-General and the subsidiary bodies to be presented during HRC62 will be considered during the relevant general debate at HRC63, unless they are mandated to be considered in the context of an interactive dialogue.
Based on the initiatives formally announced during the HRC62 organisational meeting and other information we have separately received, the Council is expected to act on around 26 draft resolutions and other texts. The deadline for submitting draft resolutions has been set on Thursday, 25 June 2026. The deadlines to submit written revisions and written amendments have been set on Wednesday, 1 July at 11 AM and 1 PM respectively.
At the 62nd session, the Council will adopt UPR outcome reports of 13 States: Australia, Austria, Georgia, Lebanon, Mauritania, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Nepal, Oman, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Sao Tome and Príncipe.
Additionally, the Human Rights Council is expected to appoint four mandate holders during the 62nd session, including the Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes; the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
For the full draft programme of work for HRC62, please click here.
