Human Rights Council
The Human Rights Council (HRC) holds three regular sessions per year, including a main session, for a total duration of no less than ten weeks. It is an intergovernmental body composed of 47 elected United Nations Member States who serve for an initial period of 3 years, and cannot be elected for more than two consecutive terms. The HRC was created by the UN General Assembly on 15 March 2006 to replace the previous Commission on Human Rights. On 18 June 2007, the Council adopted its “Institution-building package” providing elements to guide it in its future work. Observer States to the HRC and NGOs can intervene in all discussions of the HRC, but are allocated less time than Member States of the HRC.
General information note for NGOs on the Human Rights Council
2013 Calendar of Human Rights Council and related meetings
Advocacy within the United Nations Human Rights Council is an integral part of the IDA action plan. IDA and its member organizations have worked with the Council since its inception in 2006, promoting the full and effective implementation of the CRPD in both its resolutions and its daily operations.
IDA has taken part in all interactive panels on the rights of persons with disabilities held so far by the Human Rights Council and has provided support to all specific resolutions on disability rights adopted by the Council.
As a service to its DPO constituents, IDA provides a systematic analysis of the Human Rights Council’s work. This information is frequently updated and covers both the Council and its component bodies.
