UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

1.UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC): Israel recently announced it would withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), citing bias and anti-Semitism.

• United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC): Intergovernmental Body works under the United Nations to promote and protect human rights globally.

oEstablishment: Created by the UN General Assembly on 15 March 2006, replacing the Commission on Human Rights.

oMembership: Comprises 47 members elected on a regional group basis.

oTenure: Members serve for three years and cannot seek immediate re-election after two consecutive terms.

oElection: Chosen by the General Assembly through a direct and secret ballot.

oCriteria: Selection considers human rights contributions, voluntary pledges, and commitments.

oGeographical Distribution: Ensures equitable regional representation.

• Functions: Investigates human rights violations in UN member states → Addresses key issues like Freedom of association, assembly, expression, and religion → Women's rights and LGBTI rights → Rights of racial and ethnic minorities.
• Recent Developments:

oUN Experts' Findings: UN experts called for Israel’s suspension from the UN, citing its unlawful occupation of Palestinian territories and violations of UN resolutions.

oPrevious Boycotts: Israel had boycotted the council twice before and already refused to participate in discussions on Palestinian human rights violations.

oUS Withdrawal: The move came a day after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to withdraw from several UN bodies, including the Human Rights Council.