UNHRC

• India recently voted in favour of a draft resolution tabled in the UN Human Rights Council that condemns and strongly rejects recent “public and premeditated” acts of desecration of the Holy Quran.
• The draft resolution was brought by Pakistan on “behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation” as well as by the State of Palestine.
• Nations voting against the resolution included Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, the U.K. and the U.S.

ABOUT UNHRC

• 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 world.
• It was created by the General Assembly on 15 March 2006 by replacing the Commission on Human Rights.
• The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) serves as the Secretariat of the Human Rights Council.
• HQ– Geneva, Switzerland.
• It is made up of 47 United Nations Member States which are elected by the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
• Seats are distributed on equitable geographical distribution:
  • 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 yearsand are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.