UN Human Rights Council to open 59th session in Geneva amid mounting global crises
WVR - Over 60 reports, 32 dialogues expected during month-long session starting on June 16, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.
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| A United Nations flag is pictured at Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, June 16, 2025. |
As global crises intensify and human rights challenges abound, the UN Human Rights Council will convene its 59th regular session starting on June 16 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, running through July 9.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk will open the session and present his annual report.
Over the course of four weeks, the council will review more than 60 reports from the UN Secretariat, the High Commissioner, independent experts, and investigative bodies detailing human rights situations in over 40 countries. Thirty-two interactive dialogues are planned.
Notable country-specific discussions include dialogues on Venezuela, Ukraine, Colombia, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Myanmar. The council will also receive updates from the Commission of Inquiry on Syria and the Fact‑Finding Mission on Sudan.
This session will feature an annual panel examining the adverse impacts of climate change on human rights. Other thematic discussions will focus on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, summary executions, education, health, and extreme poverty.
In addition, the council will review the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review for 14 countries, including Italy, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Interactive dialogues are also scheduled with special rapporteurs on Eritrea, Belarus, Burundi, and the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as on topics such as racism, trafficking, and international solidarity.
