The United Nations Human Rights Council was established in 2006, replacing the former Commission on Human Rights created in 1946. Its purpose is to promote and protect human rights worldwide, investigate violations, and advise the General Assembly. The Council consists of 47 Member States elected with equitable regional representation and meets regularly in Geneva. Its foundational framework is defined by resolutions like 60/251 and 5/1.

The Council’s main functions include the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), Special Procedures for thematic or country-specific issues, and mechanisms for addressing complaints and serious violations. It also works with an Advisory Committee and investigative bodies, and has requested expert reports on countries like Sudan, Haiti, and Colombia. Its core documents include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other major international treaties.