The Human Rights Council was created by the General Assembly in 2006 as the principal human rights political body of the United Nations. The Council is composed of 47 elected member states that must uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights.

It meets in regular sessions throughout the year and can meet in special sessions at the request of 16 Council members. The Council can address both thematic and country-based human rights issues and make recommendations to states.

2012 Election of the Members of the Human Rights Council

Find out more on AI's campaigns for a human rights committed Council membership on the occasion of the 2012 elections which take place in New York in November 2012.