The Human Rights Council will replace the Commission on Human Rights, which will be formally abolished on 16 June 2006.

Following the historic adoption of the General Assembly resolution establishing the Council on 15 March 2006, [A/RES/60/251], UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan stated that: “Now the real work begins.  The true test of the Council’s credibility will be the use that Member States make of it.  If, in the weeks and months ahead, they act on the commitments they have given in this resolution, I am confident that the Council will breathe new life into all our work for human rights, and thereby help to improve the lives of millions of people throughout the world.”

The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Arbour, also saluted the creation of the Human Rights Council, calling its establishment “a historic opportunity to improve the protection and promotion of fundamental freedoms of people around the world.”

The Human Rights Council, to be composed of 47 Member States, will be based in Geneva and will hold no fewer than three sessions per year (including a main session) for a total period of no less than ten weeks. The Council will also be able to hold special sessions when necessary through a request by a Member of the Council with the support of one-third of the membership of the Council. 

Elections of the first members of the new Human Rights Council are scheduled to take place on 9 May 2006 .

The first meeting of the Council will be convened on 19 June 2006 .