Human Rights Council  

• Inter-governmental body under the UN system, promoting and protecting human rights globally. 

Formation 

• Established by the UN General Assembly in 2006, replacing the former UN Commission on Human Rights. 
• Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) serves as its Secretariat, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Members 

• It comprises 47 UN Member States, elected by the UN General Assembly (UNGA). 
• Member States are selected based on their contribution to promoting human rights and voluntary commitments. 
• Membership is distributed as follows: 
  • African States: 13 seats 
  • Asia-Pacific States: 13 seats 
  • Latin American and Caribbean States: 8 seats 
  • Western European and other States: 7 seats 
  • Eastern European States: 6 seats 
• Members serve 3-year terms and cannot be re-elected immediately after two consecutive terms.