The Human Rights Council is the main multilateral body tasked with protecting and promoting human rights around the world. It was set up by the United Nations General Assembly on 15 March 2006 by Resolution 60/251, to replace the former Human Rights Commission. The Council is a subsidiary body of the General Assembly, has an inter-governmental nature, with its headquarters based in Geneva, and is made up of 47 Member States of the United Nations elected by the General Assembly under a direct and secret voting procedure for a period of three years.
Spain has taken on very extensive obligations in the field of human rights, and one of the main priorities of its foreign policy is the active protection and promotion of human rights on the international stage. During its mandate, Spain will particularly focus on those areas in which our experience allows us to offer added value to the work of the Council, such as the fight against the death penalty, the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities, the fight against discrimination and the achievement of real and effective equal opportunities, the defence and promotion of economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to drinking water and sanitation, the promotion of democracy and the rule of law, and the fight against racism, xenophobia and hate crimes.
Spain is a strong proponent of maintaining the integrity and credibility of the Human Rights Council, and during its mandate it will support efforts to improve its effectiveness on the international stage.
Non official translation
Consejo de Derechos Humanos