The 55th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, February 26, 2024.

The longstanding issue of United Nations (UN) Security Council reform is again at the fore, in part due to recent statements by its five permanent (P5) members indicating an openness to considering reform, and in light of the Council’s inability to act in the face of major crises like the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Despite such momentum, the prospects of meaningful reform remain slim. The permanent members are unlikely to reduce or abandon their veto powers at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, while deep divisions over the specifics of any expansion of non-permanent seats is likely to lead to further stagnation.

In this context, the potential role of the Human Rights Council (HRC) to address a greater range of peace and security matters should be considered. Whether through its investigative capabilities, its special rapporteur system, or the forum itself, the Human Rights Council could evolve to become a more central and effective actor in addressing peace and security risks. Rather than focusing exclusively on reforming the UN Security Council membership, perhaps we should ask whether some of its shortcomings could be addressed by more effectively drawing on the HRC’s tools and capacities. Read more