Safeguarding human rights and UN reform: the institution of the Human Rights Council

This research, conducted together with the Istituto Universitario Europeo (Prof. Francioni), revolved around the Human Rights Council that was instituted by the UN General Assembly on 3 April 2006 (Resolution 60/251), notwithstanding the unfavourable voting of major members such as the United States. The aim was to verify if, and to what degree, the Council actually meets with the expectations of UN members. This Council replaces the former Commission on Human Rights, which had proven to be a weak and non-incisive bureaucratic body, often accused of protecting the interests of countries that fail to respect human rights. The research also aimed to assess which reports (conflictual or collaborational) could be drawn up between the Human Rights Council and other non-structured organisms such as the Community of Democracies. Lastly, the research included the organization of a workshop in Florence on 7-8 November 2007.