Approval of the Human Rights Council
Summary of the Debate
United Nations member states today overwhelmingly approved the establishment of a new Human Rights Council, aiming to strengthen the world body’s machinery to promote and protect fundamental rights, and deal with major human rights offenders.General Assembly Debate Adopting a resolution by a recorded vote of 170 in favor to 4 against (Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States), with 3 abstentions (Belarus, Iran, Venezuela), the General Assembly decided to set up the new Council to replace the Geneva-based Commission on Human Rights, which has come under fire for excessive politicization.Over objections from the United States that the resolution did not go…