UN Human Rights Council

Established in 2006, the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations, currently composed of 47 nations "responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe...it was created by the UN General Assembly on 15 March 2006 with the main purpose of addressing situations of human rights violations and make recommendations on them." The Council receives staff support from the Office of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, but the UNHCHR is a separate body. It replaced the earlier Commission on Human Rights.

Advisory Committee

It has a Human Rights Council Advisory Committee composed of 18 experts to act as a think tank for the Council and work at its direction. The Advisory Committee replaces the former Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.

Members serve for a period of three years and are eligible for re-election once. In accordance with resolution 5/1, the staggering of terms of membership of the Advisory Committee members was determined by drawing lots immediately after the election. Hence, in the first term, one-third of the experts will serve for one year and another third for two years.

José Antonio Bengoa Cabello (Chile - 2010) Ansar Ahmed Burney (Pakistan - 2011) Shiqiu Chen (China - 2009) Chinsung Chung (Republic of Korea - 2010) Emmanuel Decaux (France - 2011) Hector Felipe Fix Fierro (Mexico - 2011) Wolfgang Stefan Heinz (Germany - 2010) Latif Huseynov (Azerbaijan - 2011) Baba Kura Kaigama (Nigeria - 2011) Vladimir Kartashkin (Russian Federation - 2010) Miguel Alfonso Martinez (Cuba - 2009) Bernards Andrews Nyamwaya Mudho (Kenya - 2010) Purificacion V. Quisumbing (Philippines - 2011) Shigeki Sakamoto (Japan - 2010) Dheerujlall Seetulsingh (Mauritius - 2011) Halima Embarek Warzazi (Morocco - 2009) Jean Ziegler (Switzerland - 2009) Mona Zulficar (Egypt - 2010)