Human Rights Council opens its 63rd session amid pressure on civil society

The UN Human Rights Council is holding its 63rd regular session in Geneva, which began on 7 September 2026 and runs into early October. The agenda includes situations in Afghanistan, Belarus, Burundi, Cambodia, the Central African Republic, China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Iran, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Russia, Sudan, Ukraine, Venezuela and the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel.

Among the most important decisions are the possible renewal of the investigative mandates on Sudan and Venezuela. On the thematic side, the session addresses reprisals and transnational repression against human rights defenders, racial justice on the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration, and the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, recognised five years ago.

Organisations such as the International Service for Human Rights have warned of attempts to weaken the Council's mechanisms, including the reporting of Special Procedures to the General Assembly and the universality of the Universal Periodic Review.

In a context of cuts and growing pressure on multilateral institutions, the meaningful participation of civil society remains essential for the Council to be a real space of protection and not just of declarations.

Source: ISHR – HRC63: Key issues at the Human Rights Council