This report examines the UN human rights system: particularly the Human Rights Council (HRC), the UN’s primary body for promoting and protecting human rights globally, and secondarily the Special Procedures – independent experts with mandates to report and advise on human rights from thematic or country-specific perspectives – that support the HRC’s work.
The HRC stands at a critical juncture, facing significant challenges that threaten to undermine its effectiveness and legitimacy. Through stakeholder interviews, a literature review, and analysis of recent developments, this report identifies four interconnected challenges:
- The non-enforceability of human rights norms
- The presence of rights-violating member states on the HRC
- Shrinking civil society access
- Severe resource constraints
These challenges are exacerbated by growing polarisation between Western and non-Western states – a context that is readily exploited by countries seeking to reshape the global human rights order, such as China and Russia. Inconsistent engagement on the part of the United States has created additional instability, highlighting the increasing need for principled leadership from the European Union.
How can the HRC be reformed to enhance its institutional robustness, effectiveness, and democratic character?
This report finds that:
- Institutional robustness faces the most severe challenges due to chronic under-funding and increasing political polarisation, making it an area where very little progress can be expected in the short term.
- Effectiveness remains deeply compromised by both structural limitations and contested priorities among member states.
- While the HRC maintains reasonable levels of democracy through transparency and consultative processes, the growing restrictions on civil society participation also threaten this dimension.
- Comprehensive reform appears unlikely given current geopolitical tensions, but targeted improvements – like more rigorous membership criteria, protected civil society participation, and adequate funding for the Special Procedures – could help.
- The EU, despite some inconsistencies in its approach, has significant potential to provide leadership in strengthening the global human rights architecture, particularly as the US reduces its engagement.
Citation Recommendation: King, Samuel and Inés M. Pousadela. 2025. “The UN Human Rights Council: Challenges and Opportunities for Reform.” ENSURED Research Report, no. 8 (May): 1-37. https://www.ensuredeurope.eu
*This is one of five research reports on global governance published by ENSURED in May 2025. Read the others to learn about WTO reform, UNFCCC decision-making, cyberspace governance, and vaccine equity and the public health-intellectual property nexus.
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