Human Rights Council Study Guide

Committee Overview

The Human Rights Council (HRC) is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for promoting and protecting human rights around the world. Created in 2006 to replace the Commission on Human Rights, the HRC consists of 47 member states elected by the UN General Assembly for staggered three-year terms. The Council addresses human rights violations, reviews the human rights records of all UN member states, and makes recommendations for their improvement.

Topic 1: Ensuring Access to Quality Education for Refugees and Displaced Persons

Background

There are approximately 110 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, including 36.4 million refugees. Among them, only 68% of refugee children have access to primary education, compared to 90% globally. At the secondary level, only 37% of refugee youth attend school, versus 66% globally. Disrupted education affects not only academic development but also psychological well-being, social integration, and future economic opportunities.

Key Issues

• Educational Infrastructure: Physical facilities in refugee settings
• Teacher Training: Qualified educators for crisis contexts
• Curriculum Adaptation: Relevant and transferable learning
• Documentation: Recognition of prior learning without paperwork
• Language Barriers: Multilingual education approaches
• Psychosocial Support: Trauma-informed teaching practices
• Digital Divide: Technology access for remote learning
• Host Community Integration: Balanced educational support

Questions to Consider

1. How can international funding for refugee education be stabilized and increased?
2. What models of education best serve both refugees and host communities?
3. How can technology bridge educational gaps in displacement settings?
4. What policies facilitate education continuity across borders?
5. How should the specific needs of girls and children with disabilities be addressed?

Relevant UN Documents

• UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (1951): Establishes refugees' rights
• Global Compact on Refugees (2018): Framework for refugee education
• Education 2030 Framework for Action: Inclusive education guidelines
• New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants (2016): Commitment to refugee education

Topic 2: Preventing Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Communities Worldwide and Gender Equality

Background

Despite progress in some regions, LGBTQ+ individuals face criminalization in 67 countries, with potential death penalties in 11. Gender-based discrimination remains pervasive globally, with women facing economic, political, and social inequalities. Both issues involve deep-seated cultural, religious, and legal barriers, making this a complex human rights challenge that varies significantly across regions.

Key Issues

• Legal Frameworks: Decriminalization and anti-discrimination laws
• Violence: Hate crimes and gender-based violence
• Healthcare Access: Non-discriminatory medical services
• Employment Discrimination: Workplace protections
• Education: Inclusive curricula and safe learning environments
• Political Representation: Participation in decision-making
• Intersectionality: Multiple forms of discrimination
• Cultural Sensitivity: Balancing human rights with cultural contexts

Questions to Consider

1. How can international standards be promoted while respecting cultural diversity?
2. What effective approaches exist for legal reform in resistant countries?
3. How can civil society organizations be supported in hostile environments?
4. What educational initiatives effectively reduce discrimination?
5. How can gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights be advanced together?

Relevant UN Documents

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Articles 1, 2, 7): Equality principles
• Human Rights Council Resolution 32/2 (2016): Protection against violence based on SOGIESC
• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW): Women's rights framework
• Yogyakarta Principles: Application of human rights law to SOGIESC issues
• Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: Gender equality framework