United Nations Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of law

In resolution 28/14, adopted on 26 March 2015, the Human Rights Council decided to establish a forum on human rights, democracy and rule of law. The forum takes place every two years.

During the two-day event, delegates from a wide variety of international backgrounds attend a programme of meetings, panel discussions and side events. Each forum focuses on a different topic. After the forum, the chairperson makes human rights-based recommendations in their final report, based on the inputs received and topics discussed during the event. Read more about the mandate of the forum.

Purpose of the Forum

Human rights, democracy and the rule of law create an environment in which countries can promote development, protect individuals from discrimination and ensure equal access to justice for all. The Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law is an important forum for exchange, dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation on the interrelationship between human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

The purpose of the Forum is “to provide a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation on issues pertaining to the relationship between these areas” and to “identify and analyze best practices, challenges and opportunities for States in their efforts to secure respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law”.

Participation

The Forum is open to representatives of:

• States;
• United Nations mechanisms;
• bodies and specialized agencies;
• funds and programmes;
• intergovernmental organizations;
• regional organizations and mechanisms in the field of human rights;
• national human rights institutions and other relevant national bodies;
• academics and experts and non-governmental organizations.

Past sessions

The Forum has focused on democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the context of the following issues:

• Widening the democratic space: the role of youth in public decision-making (2016).
• Parliaments as promoters of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (2018).
• Equal access to justice for all: a necessary element of democracy, rule of law and human rights protection (2021).
• Strengthening democracies to build back better: challenges and opportunities (2022).

Latest reports

Summary of the discussions of the 2022 Forum: In accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 46/4, the Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law was held in Geneva on 24 and 25 November 2022 with the theme “Strengthening democracies to build back better: challenges and opportunities”. This report contains a summary of the discussions, conclusions and recommendations of the Forum. View session page | View document A/HRC/52/72

Summary of the discussions of the 2021 Forum: In accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 40/9, the Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law was held in Geneva on 16 and 17 November 2021 with the theme “Access to justice for all: a necessary element of democracy, rule of law and human rights protection”. This report contains a summary of the discussions, conclusions and recommendations of the Forum. View session page | View document A/HRC/49/80

Summary of the discussions of the 2018 Forum: In accordance with Human Rights Council resolutions 28/14 and 34/41, the Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law was held in Geneva on 22 and 23 November 2018 with the theme “Parliaments as promoters of human rights, democracy and the rule of law”. This report contains a summary of the discussions, conclusions and recommendations of the Forum. View session page | View document A/HRC/40/65

Summary of the discussions of the 2016 Forum: In accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 28/14, the first session of the Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law was held in Geneva from 21 to 22 November 2016 with the theme “Widening the democratic space: the role of youth in public decision-making”. This report contains a summary of the discussions, conclusions and recommendations of the Forum. View session page | View document A/HRC/34/46

Videos

24 November 2022
Opening Meeting – 4th Session of the Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law
Watch on UN Web TV

16 November 2021
Opening Meeting - 3rd Session of the Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law
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22 November 2018
Opening Meeting - 2nd Session of the Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law
Watch on UN Web TV

28 November 2016
Youth and Democracy
Watch on YouTube