• The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted a resolution on April 5 condemning the alleged “use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare in Gaza”, while also calling for an arms embargo on Israel.

• It was adopted on the last day of the latest session of the Council alongside the more traditional resolutions related to the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) on accountability and justice, Palestinians’ right to self-determination, Israeli settlements in the OPT and the occupied Syrian Golan.

• In a resolution adopted by 28 votes in favour, six against and 13 abstentions, the 47-member Human Rights Council backed a call to cease the sale, transfer and diversion of arms, munitions and other military equipment to Israel.

• India abstained from voting on the resolution, along with France, Japan, Netherlands, and Romania among others. Those voting against the resolution included Argentina, Bulgaria, Germany and the US.

• Countries voting in favour of the resolution included Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, China, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Maldives, Qatar, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.

• Unlike the UN Security Council, Human Rights Council resolutions are not legally binding on States but carry significant moral weight, and are  intended to increase diplomatic pressure on Israel as well as potentially influence national policy decisions.

United Nations Human Rights Council 

• The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and making recommendations on them. 

• It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year. 

• The Council was created by the United Nations General Assembly on March 15, 2006. 

• It replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

• The Human Rights Council meets for at least 10 weeks per year at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland, in regular sessions usually taking place in March, June and September. The Council can also convene urgent meetings on short notice to respond to emerging human rights crises.

Membership of the Human Rights Council

• The Council is made of 47 Member States, which are elected by the majority of members of the General Assembly of the United Nations through direct and secret ballot. The General Assembly takes into account the candidate States’ contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as their voluntary pledges and commitments in this regard.

• The Council’s membership is based on equitable geographical distribution. 

Seats are 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 of the Council serve for a period of three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.

• India was re-elected to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2022-24 term with an overwhelming majority. It is the sixth sixth term for India in the UNHRC. 

• Membership is limited to two consecutive terms. As of December 2022, 123 of the 193 Member States of the United Nations have served as Council members.

• Rotating membership of the Council reflects the UN’s diversity and gives it legitimacy when speaking out on human rights violations in all countries.

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