New composition of UN Human Rights Council as of 2024 and key votes at the 54th session of the Council

After Russia's membership in the Human Rights Council was suspended by a resolution of the UN General Assembly in April 2022, Russia now tried to become a member of the Council again. However, there were two opposing candidates in the Group of Eastern European States: Albania and Bulgaria. EU member Bulgaria received 163 votes, while Albania, currently a very active member of the UN Security Council, received 123 votes. In the context of the war in Ukraine, it is nevertheless surprising that Russia was able to secure the support of 83 member states despite the daily violation of fundamental human rights and international law. Key votes during the 54th UN Human Rights Council included an extension of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the domestic situation in Russia or the creation of a fact-finding mission for Sudan. Regarding the right to development, a resolution was adopted that includes a draft international covenant on the right to development which shall be submitted to the UN General Assembly for its consideration, negotiation and adoption. Western countries criticised the text, pointing out that the resolution prioritised development over human rights and thus undermines the human rights system as such.