UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

Logo: Human Rights Council 10th Anniversary

"Ten years on, I commend the Council on making important progress towards putting the human rights pillar back at the centre
of the United Nations system,"
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, 15 March 2016

The establishment of the Human Rights Council as a subsidiary organ of the General Assembly by resolution 60/251 in March 2006 elevated human rights within the United Nations system. The Council celebrated the 10th anniversary of its first session in June 2016, which offered an important opportunity to underline and reiterate the commitment to the universal promotion and protection of the human rights of all, and to reflect on the achievements and challenges of the Council.

Leaflet on the 10th anniversary of the Human Rights Council.

Events

28 JUNE 2016 – CONCERT WITH MUSICIANS FROM THE ROYAL CONCERTGEBOUW ORCHESTRA

Flyer

20-26 JUNE 2016 – BUNTING OF THE MONT-BLANC BRIDGE

Bunting Mont Blanc Bridge 1 � OHCHR/Danielle Kirby

20 JUNE 2016 – CHILDREN CONCERT “SIDE BY SIDE”

Flyer

17 JUNE 2016 – NATIONAL DRESS DAY

National Dress Day 1 � OHCHR/Danielle Kirby

National Dress Day 2 � OHCHR/Danielle Kirby

13 JUNE 2016 – HIGH-LEVEL PANEL DISCUSSION: ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHALLENGES

The Human Rights Council marked its tenth anniversary by holding a high-level panel discussion, reflecting on its achievements and challenges.

Full meeting summary

Video of the meeting

13 JUNE - 1 JULY 2016 – 1ST UNIVERSAL SESSION OF THE HRC

All 193 United Nations Member States were present during the first days of the session, making this the first time there was universal participation at the Human Rights Council. This was possible due to the participation of 16 Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries that do not have Permanent Missions in Geneva who rarely have the opportunity to participate in Council meetings. Their participation in the thirty-second session was made possible due to the Voluntary Technical Assistance Trust Fund. Read more

15 MARCH 2016 – HRC 10TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT AT UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK

"Are Human Rights under Assault? Massive human rights violations, violent extremism, and shrinking democratic space in a troubled world." As the Human Rights Council marks its 10th anniversary, this panel was an initial event in a series of activities aimed at marking this symbolic moment. The panel discussion aims to stress how the UN human rights architecture (of which the Human Rights Council is a central actor) provides some of the elements needed to respond to the challenges in a complex world. It should also help Member States better understand the importance of human rights standard-setting in Geneva, mainstreaming in New York and operations in the field. Full video of the meeting.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's remarks at Panel Discussion Full speech

As UN Human Rights Council marks 10th anniversary, Ban urges body to increase 'impact'

Human rights are, sadly, "under attack" worldwide, and the United Nations Human Rights Council must increase its impact on the ground over its second decade, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today as the Organization's main human rights body marked the 10th anniversary of its creation. UN News Story

Videos

Geneva Public Transport (TPG) Public Service Announcement on the 10th anniversary (13 -19 June 2016)

From the Council chamber to the People

With more than 1,250 resolutions and nearly 60 sessions including those on emerging crisis over the past decade, the UN Human Rights Council has a lot to reflect on.

Video-message by Human Rights Council President, H.E. CHOI Kyonglim Full speech