61st session of the Human Rights Council

#HRC61 Highlights

GANHRI’s engagement at the Human Rights Council and support to NHRIs

The 61st Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC61) took place in Geneva at the Palais des Nations, from 23 February to 31 March 2026. Throughout the session, GANHRI delivered five statements addressing key priority thematic areas while supporting the engagement of NHRIs from 20 countries which delivered 43 oral interventions or written statements across human rights issues.

GANHRI’s Annual Meeting (30 March to 1 April) convened during this period, bringing together NHRIs from 90 countries.

NHRIs as bridges in a fractured multilateral system

At HRC61, GANHRI underscored that a credible multilateral system depends on strong national institutions. As global challenges test multilateral norms, the Council itself faces a serious financial and liquidity crisis, with reduced meeting time, investigative mechanisms operating under severe staffing constraints, and critical accessibility services at risk.

As the UN Secretary-General noted in his final address to the Council before his term concludes at the end of 2026, “the crisis of respect for human rights does not stand alone. It mirrors and magnifies every other global fracture.”

Addressing this interconnected crisis requires a robust and coordinated international response. The High Commissioner for Human Rights emphasized that the human rights ecosystem is designed to promote universality and consistency.

The Pact for the Future recognizes that NHRIs, established in line with the Paris Principles, are fundamental to effective implementation of international human rights obligations. They provide early warning signs of emerging risks and sustain dialogue and trust in increasingly polarized contexts. For NHRIs to fulfill this role, their independence, mandates, and access to international mechanisms must be protected and strengthened.

Meaningful participation of persons with disabilities

During the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, GANHRI welcomed the focus on equal participation in political life and reaffirmed the principle of “nothing about us without us.”

Twenty years after the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), persons with disabilities remain underrepresented due to discriminatory laws, stigma, inaccessible environments, lack of reasonable accommodation, and financial barriers. NHRIs contribute to turn legal standards into practice by monitoring laws and elections, advising governments, handling complaints, building capacity, and engaging with organizations of persons with disabilities.

GANHRI expressed particular concern about the impact of the UN liquidity crisis on accessibility services, emphasizing that inclusion cannot be contingent on budgets.

NHRIs from Burundi, Ireland, and Zambia participated in the dialogue.

Torture prevention and accountability

At HRC61, the Special Rapporteur on torture presented the Charter of Rights of Victims and Survivors, placing victim and survivor-centred approaches at the core of torture prevention.

GANHRI commended this initiative for grounding responses in the lived experiences of those directly affected.

NHRIs and National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs) play a critical role through independent monitoring, unannounced detention visits, investigation, and engagement with victims and survivors. Their effectiveness depends on their independence, adequate resources, and full access to places of detention. These fundamental conditions are now under strain across the human rights system.

NHRIs from Armenia, Burundi, Colombia, Palestine, and Ukraine contributed to the dialogue.

Human rights defenders in an increasingly constrained environment

At HRC61, the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders presented findings based on submissions from 300 defenders across 82 countries. The report documents what motivates defenders to exercise their right to promote and protect human rights despite mounting risks, and examines the effectiveness of international mechanisms designed to support them. The findings closely reflect what NHRIs observe on the ground: defenders face unprecedented challenges including severe funding cuts, political pressure, reprisals, and restrictions on foreign funding.

GANHRI underscored that protecting defenders is a legal obligation and a prerequisite for credible multilateralism. NHRIs themselves are human rights defenders and must be protected to protect others. They monitor violations, support defenders at risk, and bridge gaps between defenders and international mechanisms. For NHRIs to fulfill this role, their independence, mandates, and access to international mechanisms must be strengthened and most importantly safeguarded.

NHRIs from Bolivia, Burundi, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Palestine participated in the dialogue.

Environmental rights and independent oversight

At HRC61, the Special Rapporteur on the right to a healthy environment presented a report highlighting disproportionate impacts on vulnerable communities.

GANHRI noted that this reflects patterns NHRIs observe at national level: gaps in regulation, weak enforcement, and limited access to information persist despite well-documented risks. NHRIs assess compliance with environmental obligations, monitor impacts, support access to remedies, and hold governments accountable.

A tool for NHRIs on monitoring the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment was launched. Developed under the Tripartite Partnership between GANHRI, OHCHR and UNDP, the new tool supports NHRIs in bridging the legal, policy and practice gaps that exist between human rights and environmental systems. Reaffirming that environmental rights requires strong, independent national institutions at every level.

NHRIs from Burundi, Colombia, and Morocco also participated in the dialogue.

Key resolutions of relevance to NHRIs

The Human Rights Council adopted 38 resolutions and 13 decisions during HRC61, with the ongoing Middle East conflict dominating much of the Council’s attention. In addition, the Council extended 19 existing country-specific and thematic mandates. Several resolutions referred to the role of NHRIs:

Resolution 61/5 on cooperation with regional human rights organizations, invites NHRIs to participate in a 2028 workshop on regional organizations, including a thematic discussion on their role in promoting human rights and preventing violations in the digital space, and to share best practices and lessons learned.
Resolution A/HRC/61/L.5 on the rights of persons with disabilities, encourages NHRIs to participate actively in Council debates on disability rights and in regular and special sessions of the Council and its working groups, including through accessible formats.
Resolution A/HRC/61/L.10 on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, calls for continued cooperation with NHRIs and NPMs in strengthening cooperation on torture prevention.
Resolution A/HRC/61/L.28 on promoting human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals, requests the High Commissioner to organize intersessional meetings involving NHRIs and other stakeholders, and to work with NHRIs on capacity-building and implementation approaches that integrate human rights and the 2030 Agenda.
Resolution 61/22 on the situation of human rights defenders, notes the important role of NHRIs in the promotion and protection of human rights, and expresses deep concern about funding cuts affecting the human rights defender ecosystem, including impacts on NHRIs.

Reports by the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Oral updates and country reports delivered by the High Commissioner on the work of his Office covered Afghanistan, Colombia, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, the Occupied Palestinian Territory (including East Jerusalem), and Sudan.

The NHRI of DRC delivered a statement in response to the High Commissioner’s oral updates on the country.

Interaction with Special Procedures mandate holders

Several NHRIs participated in interactive dialogues with special procedures mandate holders, delivering oral and video statements on various human rights issues or submitting written remarks, including:

NHRI of Armenia submitted written remarks on torture prevention.
NHRI of Bolivia: presented a statement on the situation of human rights defenders.
NHRI of Burundi: delivered statements on torture prevention, the situation of human rights defenders, adequate housing, the rights of persons with disabilities, violence against children, and the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
NHRI of Colombia: addressed the Council on torture prevention, the situation of human rights defenders, the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, violence against children, and children in armed conflict.
NHRI of Ethiopia: presented a video statement on the situation of human rights defenders.
NHRI of The Gambia: submitted a written statement on the right to food.
NHRI of Ireland: intervened via video on the rights of persons with disabilities.
NHRI or Morocco: intervened on the human rights to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
NHRI of Palestine: delivered video statements on torture prevention, human rights defenders, adequate housing, the right to food, and children and armed conflict.
NHRI of Scotland: intervened via video on minority issues.
NHRI of the Philippines: participated in the dialogues on adequate housing and children and armed conflict.
NHRI of Togo: delivered video statements on human rights and counterterrorism.
NHRI of Ukraine: presented video statements on torture prevention and children and armed conflict.
NHRI of Zambia: intervened via video on the rights of persons with disabilities.

GANHRI submitted written statements on torture prevention and human rights defenders, and an in-person statement on the rights of persons with disabilities and the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

Interaction with Human Rights Council–mandated investigative bodies

The Council addressed serious country-specific situations including Belarus, Iran, Mali, Myanmar, Nicaragua, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, and Ukraine.

The following NHRIs participated in the following discussions:

NHRI of Palestine submitted a video statement on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
NHRI of Ukraine delivered a video statement on the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine.

Panels and annual discussions

The 61st session of the Human Rights Council saw the continuation of panels and discussions taking place on the protection and promotion of human rights. A panel discussion on promoting a culture of peace brought together speakers who highlighted the critical role of NHRIs in advancing peace through human rights monitoring, prevention, dialogue, and trust-building at the national level.

NHRIs engaged in the following discussions:

The NHRIs of Morocco and Qatar participated in the Panel on Human Rights and A Culture of Peace.
The NHRIs of Morocco and Tanzania participated in the Panel on Financing Sustainable Development and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
The NHRIs of Qatar and Scotland participated in the Annual Debate on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Adoption of Universal Periodic Review (UPR) reports

During the 61^stsession, the Human Rights Council adopted the UPR outcome reports of Andorra, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Honduras, Jamaica, Liberia, Libya, Malawi, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, and Panama.

The NHRI Mongolia delivered statement upon the adoption of its respective UPR outcome report. The NHRI of Panama submitted a written statement.

List of HRC61 NHRIs and GANHRI Statements

A recording of the HRC61 session is available on UN Web TV.

General Debate (Item 2)

NHRI Colombia – Defensoría del Pueblo (written statement)
GANHRI – Download statement

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment

NHRI Armenia – Office of the Human Rights Defender (written statement)
NHRI Burundi – Commission Nationale Indépendante des Droits de l’Homme (written statement)
NHRI Colombia – Defensoría del Pueblo (written statement)
NHRI Palestine – Independent Commission for Human Rights
NHRI Ukraine – Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights
GANHRI – Download written statement

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders

NHRI Bolivia – Defensor del Pueblo (written statement)
NHRI Burundi – Commission Nationale Indépendante des Droits de l’Homme (written statement)
NHRI Colombia – Defensoría del Pueblo (written statement)
NHRI Ethiopia – Ethiopian Human Rights Commission
NHRI Palestine – Independent Commission for Human Rights
GANHRI – Download written statement

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing

NHRI Burundi – Commission Nationale Indépendante des Droits de l’Homme (written statement)
NHRI Palestine – Independent Commission for Human Rights
NHRI the Philippines – Commission on Human Rights (written statement)

Panel Discussion on Human Rights and a Culture of Peace

NHRI Morocco – Conseil National des Droits de l’Homme
NHRI Qatar – National Human Rights Committee

Panel Discussion on Financing Sustainable Development and Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights

NHRI Morocco – Conseil National des Droits de l’Homme
NHRI Tanzania – Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (written statement)

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food

NHRI The Gambia – National Human Rights Commission (written statement)
NHRI Palestine – Independent Commission for Human Rights

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

NHRI Burundi – Commission Nationale Indépendante des Droits de l’Homme (written statement)
NHRI Ireland – Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
NHRI Zambia – Human Rights Commission
GANHRI – Download statement

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment

NHRI Burundi – Commission Nationale Indépendante des Droits de l’Homme
NHRI Colombia – Defensoría del Pueblo (written statement)
NHRI Morocco – Conseil National des Droits de l’Homme
GANHRI – Download statement

Annual Debate on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

NHRI Qatar – National Human Rights Committee
NHRI Scotland – Scottish Human Rights Commission

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence Against Children

NHRI Burundi – Commission Nationale Indépendante des Droits de l’Homme
NHRI Colombia – Defensoría del Pueblo (written statement)

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict

NHRI Colombia – Defensoría del Pueblo (written statement)
NHRI Palestine – Independent Commission for Human Rights
NHRI the Philippines – Commission on Human Rights (written statement)
NHRI Ukraine – Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counterterrorism

NHRI Togo – Commission Nationale des Droits de l’Homme

Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine

NHRI Ukraine – Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues

NHRI Scotland – Scottish Human Rights Commission

Adoption of UPR Outcomes

NHRI Mongolia – National Human Rights Commission
NHRI Panama – Defensoría del Pueblo (written statement)

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)

NHRI Palestine – Independent Commission for Human Rights

Urgent debate to discuss the recent military aggression launched by the Islamic Republic of Iran against Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates on 28 February 2026

NHRI Jordan – National Centre for Human Rights (written statement)
NHRI Qatar – National Human Rights Committee

Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s oral update on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

NHRI DRC – Commission Nationale des Droits de l’Homme