Human Rights Council to hold nineteenth regular session from 27 February to 23 March

The Human Rights Council will hold its nineteenth regular session from 27 February to 23 March 2012 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. A highlight of the session will be the opening four-day High-level Segment during which some 80 ministers and other senior dignitaries will address the 47-member Council on human rights matters of national interest and concern.

Council will start with High-level segment and will hold panels on Human Rights and Sport, Freedom of Expression on the Internet, Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and Discrimination on Grounds of Sexual Orientation.

Complete background press release.

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 make recommendations on them. It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year. It meets at the UN Office at Geneva.

The Council is made up of 47 United Nations Member States which are elected by the UN General Assembly. The Human Rights Council replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights.

More information:

• Human Rights Council Website
• You'll be able to follow events live on the UN Webcast
• Follow HRC on Twitter (@UN_HRC), hashtag #HRC19

Video:

An introduction to the work of the United Nations Human Rights Council

Also available:

• What is a human right? (http://youtu.be/JpY9s1Agbsw)
• What is a human rights treaty body? (http://youtu.be/vE0T45t040k)