Joint statement by non-governmental organisations for the informal consultations of the Commission on Human Rights
The decision at the World Summit to establish a Human Rights Council is an historic opportunity to establish a body far better equipped than the present Commission on Human Rights to protect and promote all human rights for all persons in all countries. This opportunity must now be seized by States and supported by all other stakeholders to enable the early establishment of an effective Human Rights Council before the end of the year.
The new Human Rights Council must be credible and legitimate in the eyes of States, civil society and rights-holders, including the victims of human rights violations. To be credible it must function effectively. This requires much more than a mere change of name from Commission to Council. Our vision of a new, effective Human Rights Council requires that what contributes to the protection and promotion of human rights in the present Commission be preserved and enhanced and what hinders and undermines their protection and promotion be addressed and remedied. So, the new Council must have enhanced authority to address both acute and chronic human rights situations. It must have a stronger system of Special Procedures. It must continue and enhance the unique participation of NGOs. We see these and all of the following elements as fundamental to a credible, legitimate and effective Human Rights Council.