INTERNATIONAL POLICY ANALYSIS Reviewing the UN Human Rights Council Perspectives from Civil Society Theodor Rathgeber November 2010 n From the viewpoint of rights holders, the UN Human Rights Council(HRC) has large­ly failed to respond to a majority of human rights crises and chronic situations of hu­man rights violations whereas the institutional framework of the HRC has not been exhausted yet. A number of the following recommendations can help establish a better practice of the HRC based on existing principles. n It is crucial to bring critical human rights situations to the HRC’s attention irrespec­tive of the arithmetic of political majorities. Institutional triggers are needed for the discussion of situations by the HRC. In order to minimise selectivity in the HRC’s en­gagement with situations, the debate at the sessions of the HRC should be divided into regional segments in order to ensure that situations in all regions are discussed. The predictability of the overall Program of Work should be increased. n The Code of Conduct for UN Special Procedures has still not been fully implemented. As many member states of the HRC do not comply with their duties, benchmarks for measuring the cooperation of states with Special Procedures are needed. n The Universal Periodic Review(UPR) is generally assessed as a positive mechanism. Nevertheless, for the success of the UPR, an effective follow-up to recommendations is essential, and states should be encouraged to present a mid-term assessment. n Membership within the HRC should be based on quality, and the competitive nature of the election process should be developed towards this aim. The access of civil society from the regions to the HRC and its sub-organs needs to be increased.