The UN Human Rights Council: Reviewing Its First Year

  • Carmen Márquez Carrasco University of Seville
  • Ingrid Nifosi-Sutton American University Washington College of Law
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18543/aahdh-5-2008pp101-123
Keywords: human rights, United Nations, Human Rights Council

Abstract

The aim of the article is to examine the first year of practice of the Human Rights Council in order to provide a critical assessment of the Council’s early activity. After a discussion of the process of establishment, mandate and working methods of the Council, consideration is given to the decisions adopted by the HRC in its first year of operation. The review of the early practice of the Human Rights Council shows the achievements of the new organ and the challenges ahead. In particular, the membership and methods of work of the Council pose very contentious issues. By way of conclusion it is noted that institution building is by far the more important achievement in the first year of practice of the Council, particularly concerning the Universal Periodic Review. It presents, however, disconcerting aspects concerning consideration of Country situations and shows a very frail and politicized approach to these issues that will inexorably be refl ected in the practice of the Council and compromise its credibility. Nonetheless, there is a widespread view that, if the UPR turns out to be successful, there is still a chance for the Council to develop as an authoritative and leading human rights body.

Published online: 11 December 2017

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Author Biographies

Carmen Márquez Carrasco, University of Seville
Carmen Márquez Carrasco is Professor of Public International Law and International Relations, University of Seville (Spain). European Master on Human Rights and Democratization (EMA) Program Director 2005-2006 and EMA Chairperson since December 2007
Ingrid Nifosi-Sutton, American University Washington College of Law
Ingrid Nifosi-Sutton is Adjunct Professor of Law, American University Washington College of Law (USA)
Published
2017-12-11
How to Cite
Márquez Carrasco, Carmen, and Ingrid Nifosi-Sutton. 2017. “The UN Human Rights Council: Reviewing Its First Year”. Deusto Journal of Human Rights, no. 5 (December), 101-23. https://doi.org/10.18543/aahdh-5-2008pp101-123.
Issue
No. 5 (2008)
Section
Articles
Deusto Journal of Human Rights / Revista Deusto de Derechos Humanos is an Open Access journal; which means that it is free for full and immediate access, reading, search, download, distribution, and reuse in any medium only for non-commercial purposes and in accordance with any applicable copyright legislation, without prior permission from the copyright holder (University of Deusto) or the author; provided the original work and publication source are properly cited (Issue number, year, pages and DOI if applicable) and any changes to the original are clearly indicated. Any other use of its content in any medium or format, now known or developed in the future, requires prior written permission of the copyright holder.