HRC61: Key issues at the Human Rights Council in March 2026

This 61st session of the Human Rights Council (HRC61) takes place at a moment of profound stress for the international human rights system, marked by ongoing conflicts, selective adherence to international law, and a growing financial crisis within the United Nations (UN).

The genocide in Gaza, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and the persistent impunity afforded to powerful States and selective application of international law have severely eroded confidence in multilateral institutions. The United States’ military attack against Venezuela in January represents a further erosion of the international legal order. At the same time, the UN faces a serious financial crisis driven by Member States’ failure to pay assessed contributions in full and on time. 

ISHR condemns violations of international law and reaffirms its commitment to a multilateral system grounded in universal human rights, equality among States, and principled, merit-based responses that centre rights holders and are adequately resourced.

The UN Secretary-General has warned of an ‘imminent financial collapse’ as Member States continue to withhold or delay their contributions. At the time of writing, only 61 Member States have paid their regular budget contributions for 2026, leaving the UN unable to function effectively. The United States alone accounts for 95 percent of the USD 1.6 billion shortfall in the UN’s 2025 budget.

All States must pay their dues in full and on time. Failure to do so makes them complicit in the UN’s financial paralysis. Under current financial rules, the UN will be required to return over USD 400 million in unspent cash to Member States in 2027. These rules must be amended and the return of credits temporarily suspended to protect the UN’s ability to carry out its mandate.

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• ISHR side event
• ISHR thematic priorities
  • Civil society participation
  • Human rights defenders
  • Climate and environmental justice
  • Reprisals
  • Racial justice and equality for Africans and people of African descent
• ISHR country-specific priorities
  • Afghanistan
  • China
  • Occupied Palestinian Territory & Israel
  • Occupied Western Sahara
  • Sudan
  • United States of America
  • Venezuela
  • Adoption of Universal Periodic Review reports
• Civil society guide to the 61st session of the Human Rights Council
  • High-level segment
  • Updates by the High Commissioner for Human Rights
  • Interactive dialogues
  • Panel discussions
  • Adoption of UPR reports
  • Resolutions
  • Appointment of mandate holders

ISHR side event

ISHR will organise a side event on States’ obligations to prevent and address transnational repression, on Monday, 9 March, at 2:00pm at Room VIII.

ISHR thematic priorities 

Civil society participation

Civil society organisations continue to face growing barriers to meaningful participation at the Council. These include charges for WebEx and interpretation for side events, reduced travel support, visa obstacles, and the limited availability of hybrid informal negotiations on draft resolutions. Since States are required to cover the costs of WebEx for informal consultations, very few have been accessible remotely, restricting participation by organisations and defenders, particularly from the Global South. 

ISHR urges States to ensure all informal negotiations at HRC61 are accessible online and to address the UN liquidity crisis without using it to justify further limits on civil society engagement.

Human rights defenders 

At HRC61, States will consider a resolution to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders for three years. The mandate is central to the recognition and protection of human rights defenders, monitoring violations, engaging authorities, and advancing implementation of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. 

The renewal provides a key opportunity for States to demonstrate support for those who defend rights worldwide. ISHR urges States to engage constructively in negotiations, co-sponsor the resolution early, resist any attempts to weaken the mandate or State obligations, and support renewal by consensus.

Climate and environmental justice

The Special Rapporteur on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment will present a report on clean air and public health, emphasising the need for robust impact assessments for polluting activities. The Special Rapporteur on adequate housing will present Guiding Principles on Resettlement, recognising State obligations in contexts including evictions, climate impacts, development projects, conflict and occupation. 

ISHR urges the Council to address climate and environmental justice through a human rights perspective while ensuring the participation of environmental human rights defenders, and calls for renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing.

Reprisals 

ISHR is deeply concerned about reprisals against civil society actors engaging or seeking to engage with UN mechanisms, and urges States and the Council to do more to address them. Council debates are key moments for States to raise specific cases, demand updates on investigations, and promote accountability.

An increasing number of States have raised such cases across recent Council sessions. This practice helps combat impunity and sends vital messages of solidarity to human rights defenders. ISHR calls on States to continue raising and following up on cases during country-specific and general debates, including those highlighted by ISHR.

Racial justice and equality for Africans and people of African descent 

In the context of the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), ISHR reiterates civil society calls for its full implementation, alongside the Programme of Action for the Second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025–2034). 

We urge States to renew all antiracism mandates, including the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism and the Intergovernmental Working Group on the DDPA. States should also engage actively in negotiations on the draft UN declaration on the promotion and full respect for the human rights of people of African descent, focusing on meaningful civil society participation.

ISHR country-specific priorities

Afghanistan 

States should engage constructively with the Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan during his interactive dialogue, as the mandate remains indispensable for sustained monitoring, and reporting of ongoing rights violations. In parallel, the newly established independent investigative mechanism must be provided with immediate and adequate financial, technical, and political support to begin its work without delay. Adequate staffing and resources are essential to enable the effective collection, preservation, and analysis of evidence. The mechanism should have clear authority to assess gender persecution and to consider emerging norms under international law, including the crime of gender apartheid.

China 

UN experts continue to document severe human rights violations in China. In January, UN experts warned of a persistent pattern of State-imposed forced labour targeting Uyghurs and Tibetans, which may amount to forcible transfer or enslavement as crimes against humanity. In December, the High Commissioner raised serious concerns about shrinking civic space in Hong Kong and called for repeal or substantial amendment of national security laws.

In national and joint statements, States should urge China to implement UN recommendations, grant access to mechanisms, ensure follow-up to the OHCHR Xinjiang report, repeal national security laws undermining civic space, and release those arbitrarily detained.

Occupied Palestinian Territory & Israel 

UN Security Council resolution 2803 ‘risks entrenching external control over Gaza’s governance, borders, security, and reconstruction’ according to the Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), further enabling Israel’s settler-colonial apartheid. This move undermines the Palestinian people’s right to self determination.

Since the ceasefire announcement, UN experts and Palestinian NGOs have documented continued Israeli attacks and siege in Gaza. Israel has banned 37 international NGOs and demolished the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) compound in East Jerusalem. UN experts warned how ‘this strategy will create conditions that force Palestinians into chronic deprivation, threatening their very survival as a group and further violating the Genocide Convention’.

Resolutions on the OPT must adopt a rights-based approach centred on justice and reparations for the Palestinian people. ISHR supports calls by UN experts and Palestinian civil society for the General Assembly to suspend Israel’s credentials. ISHR reiterates its call on States to implement recommendations of UN experts, UN agencies, OHCHR and the ICJ through immediate political and economic measures, including sanctions and a two-way arms embargo. States should also take urgent steps to protect UNRWA and UN monitoring and accountability mechanisms, including the Special Rapporteur on the OPT, the Commission of Inquiry on Israel and Palestine, the ICJ and the International Criminal Court.

Occupied Western Sahara

Civic space remains severely restricted where defenders and journalists, particularly young people, face arbitrary detention, unfair trials, ill-treatment, intimidation and reprisals for peaceful advocacy for self-determination. Sahrawi communities continue to face racial and economic discrimination, including unequal access to employment, housing, education, health care and political participation. Natural resources continue to be exploited without the free, prior and informed consent of the Sahrawi people. Policies enabling Moroccan settler dominance persist, alongside forced evictions and home demolitions, especially in El Aaiún and Dakhla.

The Council should ensure unhindered access for OHCHR and Special Procedures to Western Sahara, urge Morocco to uphold fundamental freedoms, release all arbitrarily detained individuals, guarantee fair trial standards, end reprisals and intimidation against Saharawi defenders, and ensure their safe engagement with UN mechanisms.

Sudan 

Civilians in South Kordofan face intensified fighting and near-total obstruction of humanitarian aid after prolonged starvation and bombardment. Across areas controlled by all parties, repression is increasing and civic space continues to shrink. Human rights defenders, journalists, trade unionists, women, children and persons with disabilities face arbitrary detention, intimidation and reprisals based on perceived affiliations. Smear campaigns and coercion of professional unions are widespread. Humanitarian assistance now relies largely on local groups operating at extreme personal risk.

ISHR urges States to press all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, ensure an immediate ceasefire, protect civilians, ensure unimpeded humanitarian access, and guarantee freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association.

United States of America

ISHR is concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation and erosion of the rule of law in the United States, as well as its commission of, or complicity in, grave violations abroad, including in Venezuela, Palestine, the Caribbean and Pacific. The Trump Administration’s refusal to participate in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) undermines a core accountability mechanism and should be condemned by the Council.

To prevent a wider erosion of engagement, and in light of extensive evidence of violations at home and abroad, ISHR urges increased monitoring, reporting and scrutiny of the United States by Special Procedures and the High Commissioner.

Venezuela

ISHR condemns the United States’ military attack against Venezuela on 3 January 2026 as a clear violation of international law and remains deeply concerned about the country’s human rights situation. 

To support a genuine and credible democratic transition, ISHR, together with Venezuelan and international civil society, calls on States to pursue ten urgent measures, including the immediate release of those arbitrarily detained, dismantling repressive structures and laws, and granting full, safe and independent access to OHCHR and the Fact-Finding Mission. Meaningful civil society participation and transitional justice mechanisms are essential to an inclusive and sustainable transition centred on victims and Venezuelan society.

Adoption of Universal Periodic Review reports

At HRC61, the Council will adopt UPR outcomes for several States, including Liberia. States should pay particular attention to recommendations outlined in ISHR’s briefing paper on human rights defenders in Liberia.

Civil society guide to the 61st session of the Human Rights Council

The 61st session of the Human Rights Council will take place at the Assembly Hall, Palais des Nations in Geneva.

The session will include high-level statements by States, updates by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, interactive dialogues with mandate holders, general debates, panel discussions, adoption of UPR outcomes, consideration of resolutions, and the appointment of new mandate holders.

NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC may deliver oral statements in person or by pre-recorded video during interactive dialogues, general debates and panel discussions. Guidance on accreditation and participation is available on the NGO participation information page.

Useful links:

• HRC61 webpage – official information of the session
• HRC Extranet – oral statements and meeting documents
• HRC61 Sched – meeting calendar updated daily with meeting times
• UN Web TV – live and archived webcasts of all public meetings

High-level segment

The session opens with the High-Level Segment, during which ministers and senior government representatives deliver statements setting out their priorities and commitments on human rights.

Civil society organisations may follow government positions and use this period to meet delegations, share briefings and raise issues directly with States through bilateral meetings.

Updates by the High Commissioner for Human Rights

The High Commissioner will deliver his annual global oral update on 27 February, presenting global human rights trends, priorities and concerns. The updates usually also highlight selected countries or situations of particular concern.

The High Commissioner will also present separate updates and reports under relevant agenda items, including Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Cyprus, Myanmar, Sudan, Venezuela, North Korea, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, and Georgia.

Civil society organisations may follow developments through these updates and deliver oral statements where interactive dialogues and general debates follow.

Interactive dialogues

Interactive dialogues are formal meetings between the Council and independent human rights experts or the High Commissioner. Reports or updates are presented, followed by oral statements from States and NGOs. See the full list of reports here.

The Council will hold interactive dialogues with the following thematic mandate holders:

1. Special Rapporteur on torture
2. Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
3. Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders 
4. Special Rapporteur on cultural rights 
5. Special Rapporteur on housing 
6. Independent Expert on foreign debt
7. Special Rapporteur on food
8. Independent Expert on albinism
9. Special Rapporteur on persons with disabilities
10. Special Rapporteur on the environment 
11. Special Rapporteur on the sale of children
12. Special Representative of the Secretary-General on violence against children 
13. Special Representative of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict 
14. Special Rapporteur on counter terrorism
15. Special Rapporteur on privacy
16. Special Rapporteur on minority issues

The Council will also address country situations through the following meetings:

1. Enhanced interactive dialogue on the reports of the Special Rapporteur and OHCHR on Afghanistan
2. Enhanced interactive dialogue on the reports of the Fact-Finding Mission and the High Commissioner on Sudan
3. Interactive dialogue on the report of the High Commissioner on the Occupied Palestinian Territory
4. Enhanced interactive dialogue on the report of the Commission of Human Rights in South Sudan
5. Interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner oral update on Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar
6. Interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine
7. Interactive dialogue with the Group of Independent Experts on Belarus
8. Interactive dialogue with Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela
9. Interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Syria
10. Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar
11. Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on North Korea
12. Interactive dialogue with the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua
13. Joint interactive dialogue with Special Rapporteur and Fact-Finding Mission on Iran
14. Interactive dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Occupied Palestinian Territory
15. Enhanced interactive dialogue on the oral update of the High Commissioner on Democratic Republic of the Congo
16. Interactive dialogue with the Independent Expert on Mali
17. Interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner oral update on Ukraine
18. Interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner on Haiti with the participation of the independent human rights expert 
19. High-level dialogue on Central African Republic

Panel discussions

Panel discussions bring together experts, States and civil society to discuss specific themes. Seven panel discussions accessible to persons with disabilities are scheduled for this session: 

1. Annual high-level panel discussion on human rights mainstreaming.
   Theme: Role of new and emerging digital technologies in preventing and eliminating female genital mutilation
2. High-level panel discussion on the commemoration of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
3. Panel discussion on human rights and a culture of peace
4. Panel discussion on promising practices and measures to mobilise public resources to finance sustainable development in a manner consistent with States’ economic, social and cultural rights obligations
5. Annual interactive debate on the rights of persons with disabilities.
   Theme: Disability-inclusive infrastructure, including transport and housing
6. Annual full-day meeting on the rights of the child (two panels)
   Theme: Rights of the child and violations of the human rights of children in armed conflicts 

Adoption of UPR reports

During this session, the Council will adopt the UPR working group reports on Andorra, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Honduras, Jamaica, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, and Panama.

Civil society organisations may monitor which recommendations are accepted and use them to support follow-up advocacy at national level.

Resolutions

States negotiate and adopt resolutions and decisions throughout the session. These may address thematic issues, country situations, technical assistance, or the creation or renewal of mandates.

At the organisational meeting on 9 February, the following resolutions were announced (States leading the resolution in brackets). Additional resolutions may also be presented during the session.

1. Combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, and discrimination incitement based on religion or belief (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation)
2. Human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and the obligation to ensure accountability and justice (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation)
3. Right of the Palestinian people to self-determination (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation)
4. Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and in the occupied Syrian Golan (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation)
5. Human rights in the occupied Syrian Golan (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation)
6. Adequate housing as a component of the rights to adequate standard of living and non-discrimination (including mandate renewal of the Special Rapporteur) (Germany, Finland, Brazil, Namibia)
7. Effects of foreign debt and other international  financial obligations on the enjoyment of human rights (mandate renewal) (Cuba)
8. The right to food (Cuba)
9. Promotion of the enjoyment of cultural rights of all and respect for cultural diversity (Cuba)
10. Human rights of persons in street situations (Brazil, Cabo Verde, Dominican Republic)
11. Renewal of the mandate of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (African Group)
12. Renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance (African Group)
13. Technical assistance and capacity building in the field of human rights in Mali (African Group)
14. Cooperation with regional human rights organisations (Belgium, Armenia, Colombia, Senegal, Thailand)
15. Prevention of genocide (Armenia)
16. Renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (Denmark)
17. Renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the rights to freedom of opinion and expression (Canada, Netherlands)
18. Promoting human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals through transparent, accountable, and efficient public service delivery (Azerbaijan, Ecuador, Georgia, Kenya, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey)
19. Rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities (including mandate renewal of the Special Rapporteur) (Austria, Slovenia)
20. Mental health and human rights (Portugal, Brazil)
21. Advancing human rights in South Sudan (mandate renewal of the Commission on Human Rights) (United Kingdom, Albania, Ireland, Norway)
22. Human rights situation in Syria (mandate renewal of the Commission of Inquiry) (United Kingdom on behalf of the core group)
23. Promotion and protection of human rights and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (Luxembourg, Ecuador, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Chile, Fiji, Portugal, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Thailand, Uruguay)
24. Renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders (Norway)
25. Negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights (Non-Aligned Movement)
26. Human rights situation in Belarus (European Union)
27. Human rights situation in North Korea (including mandate renewal) (European Union)
28. Human rights situation in Myanmar (including mandate renewal) (European Union)
29. Freedom of religion or belief (European Union)
30. Renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the sale, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children (European Union and group of States from Latin American and Caribbean)
31. Rights of the child (focus: Children in armed conflict) (Uruguay on behalf of a group of States from Latin America and the Caribbean and European Union)
32. Rights of persons with disabilities, digital technologies, and inclusive disability infrastructure (Mexico, New Zealand)
33. Renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants (Mexico)
34. Birth registration and the right of all to recognition as a person before the law (Mexico, Turkiye)
35. Situation of human rights in Ukraine stemming from the Russian aggression (including mandate renewal of the Commission of Inquiry) (Ukraine)

Civil society organisations may follow draft texts and negotiations, share recommendations with delegations, advocate on language and priorities and monitor the adoption of resolutions. Adopted resolutions can support advocacy at national and international levels.

Appointment of mandate holders

At this session, appointments are expected for the following 17 vacancies:

1. Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development – four members from African States, Asia-Pacific States, Eastern European States, and Western European and other States, respectively
2. Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples – two members from Asia and the Arctic, respectively
3. Independent Expert on older persons
4. Special Rapporteur on housing
5. Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery and trafficking in persons
6. Special Rapporteur on poverty
7. Special Rapporteur on unilateral coercive measures
8. Special Rapporteur on food
9. Special Rapporteur on the sale of children
10. Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders
11. Special Rapporteur on Cambodia
12. Special Rapporteur on Myanmar
13. Working Group on African Descent – member from Asia-Pacific States

Civil society may review shortlisted candidates and engage with newly appointed mandate holders once confirmed. Early outreach can help establish working relationships and share priority concerns to shape future reporting, communications, and country visits.

Read here the three-year programme of work of the Council with supplementary information.