Civil society calls to strengthen Human Rights Council at 2026 review

A coalition of over 50 civil society organisations has called on UN Member States to use the 2026 review of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s status to strengthen, rather than weaken, the body’s role in the international human rights system.

Delivering a joint statement during consultations with the General Assembly’s co-facilitators in New York, ISHR welcomed the appointment of Ireland and Senegal to guide the review process and called States to work toward elevating the Human Rights Council to the status of a principal UN organ, placing the human rights pillar alongside peace and security and development pillars within the United Nations system.

The organisations encouraged the co-facilitators to coordinate closely with the President of the Human Rights Council and to ensure a transparent consultation process that includes meaningful participation from civil society, including opportunities for remote engagement.

The full statement is available below.

Following the statement, organisations submitted a letter outlining in detail their recommendations. The letter is available here.

Statement

Excellencies,

June 2026 marks the deadline for the General Assembly to review the Council’s institutional status. As civil society organisations committed to the promotion and protection of human rights, we welcome the appointment of Ireland and Senegal as co-facilitators and thank you for engaging with stakeholders in this important process.

First, on the question of status: as a matter of principle, States should work toward elevating the Human Rights Council to the status of a principal UN organ. Such elevation would affirm that human rights stand on an equal footing with peace and security and development, and would strengthen the political weight, visibility, and institutional autonomy of the Council.

At the same time, we recognise that such a change would require an amendment to the Charter of the United Nations and may not be feasible in the current geopolitical context. Nevertheless, States should reaffirm their long-term commitment to this objective.

Second, on the scope of the review: Resolution 65/281 does not mandate a comprehensive review of the Council’s functioning. The review should therefore remain limited to the question of whether the Council should remain a subsidiary body of the General Assembly.

Expanding the scope risks unintended consequences, including limiting civil society participation, weakening the Council’s protection mandate, curtailing the independence of Special Procedures, and reducing the Council’s ability to address country situations. At a minimum, the current review must not weaken the Council’s status, mandate, or work.

Third, falling short of elevating the status of the HRC, should States wish to strengthen the Council’s standing, several constructive options could be explored that could be achieved by resolution of the General Assembly and do not require any Charter reform. 

These include: (1) enabling the Council to formally bring relevant human rights situations to the attention of the United Nations Security Council, thereby contributing to prevention; (2) allowing the Council to report directly to the plenary of the General Assembly rather than through the Third Committee, thereby contributing to efficiency; and (3) authorising the Council to request advisory opinions from the International Court of Justice on legal questions within its mandate, thereby contributing to normative development and accountability. If there is no decision to elevate the status of the Human Rights Council this time, a further review of the Council’s status should also be mandated for 10-15 years’ time, as per previous practice. 

Finally, we encourage the co-facilitators to work closely with the President of the Human Rights Council and to ensure a clear, transparent, and inclusive consultation process, including meaningful participation of civil society and options for remote engagement.

Excellencies, the 2026 status review is an opportunity to reaffirm the central role of the Human Rights Council in the UN system. We encourage Member States to approach this process aiming to strengthen the Council’s ability to promote and protect human rights worldwide. Thank you.

Signatories:

1. International Service for Human Rights
2. Women Deliver
3. International Disability Alliance
4. DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project)
5. ILGA World (the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association)
6. Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR)
7. Anti-Slavery International 
8. Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
9. Instituto Brasileiro de Direitos Humanos (IBDH)
10. Colombian Commission of Jurists
11. Centro de investigación de mujeres juristas por los derechos humanos
12. Franciscans International 
13. Peace Brigades International
14. Hawai’i Institute for Human Rights
15. Conselho Indigenista Missionário (CIMI)
16. Europe Brazil Office (EBO)
17. Global Albinism Alliance
18. Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID)
19. RacismoMX (Acción Antirracista)
20. Rede Nacional de Mulheres Negras no Combate à Violência (Brasil)
21. Movimiento sociocultural de trabajo humanitario y ambiental
22. Save the Children International
23. Corporación Ilex Acción Jurídica
24. Human Rights Watch
25. Women’s All Points Bulletin, WAPB
26. Diáspora Africana de la Argentina (DIAFAR)
27. Hivos 
28. International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
29. Research Group “Direitos Humanos, Educação e Políticas Públicas” (DHEPP-UEG, Brazil)
30. Red de Mujeres Afrolatinoamericanas, Afrocaribeñas y de la Diáspora
31. CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation 
32. Humanists International
33. Coalizão Negra por Direitos (Brazil)
34. Orolab
35. Gulf Centre for Human Rights
36. Instituto de Referência Negra Peregum (Brazil)
37. Uneafro Brasil (Brazil)
38. Movimento Negro Evangélico (Brazil)
39. Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT)
40. Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)
41. Casa Marielle Franco Brasil 
42. West African Human Rights Defenders’ Network
43. International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI)
44. Privacy International
45. ARTICLE 19 
46. International Commission of Jurists
47. International Rehabilitation Council for Torture victims (IRCT)
48. Child Rights Connect
49. Mouvement contre le racisme et pour l’amitié entre les peuples (MRAP)
50. American Association of Jurists (AAJ)
51. Plan International Inc
52. Fórum Internacional Fontié ki Kwaze – Fronteiras Cruzadas (Brazil).