GANHRI priorities for Human Rights Council’s 61st session
From 23 February to 2 April 2026, GANHRI together with its members will engage at the 61st session of the Human Rights Council (HRC61) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
The session will open with an address from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, expected to be his final address to the Council before his term concludes at the end of 2026. The opening will also feature addresses from HRC President Sidharto R Suryodipuro, UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.
Marking twenty years of the Human Rights Council
HRC61 coincides with the Council’s twentieth anniversary. Since its establishment in 2006, the Council has played a central role in addressing human rights violations and advancing accountability through mechanisms including special sessions, commissions of inquiry, and fact-finding missions.
In an increasingly challenging global context, strengthening the Council’s work remains more essential than ever. National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) are key partners in this effort, providing independent monitoring, early warning, and protection at the national level.
This role takes on added urgency as the Council navigates a serious financial and liquidity crisis that is directly affecting its ability to fully implement its mandates. As recently highlighted by Nada Al-Nashif, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, meeting time has to be reduced, investigative mechanisms are operating under severe staffing constraints, and critical accessibility services for persons with disabilities are at risk.
Council sessions must remain fully resourced, accessible and inclusive, so that all stakeholders, including NHRIs, can engage meaningfully and effectively in the work of this essential body.
Key thematic discussions
HRC61 will address a broad range of issues, including the protection of human rights defenders, torture prevention, economic, social and cultural rights, disability rights, and climate and environment, alongside country-specific situations.
Panel discussions will address human rights mainstreaming and the role of digital technologies in preventing female genital mutilation, mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and feature the annual interactive debate on disability rights, focusing on inclusive infrastructure, transport, and housing.
The Council will also consider the High Commissioner’s report on integrated approaches to human rights and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, which highlights good practices involving NHRIs.
GANHRI’s engagement priorities
GANHRI’s interventions at HRC61 will focus on several critical areas, emphasizing the essential role of Paris Principles-compliant NHRIs in bridging international human rights commitments with effective national implementation. The session provides the opportunity to highlight the need to protect institutional independence and ensure meaningful NHRI engagement with UN mechanisms, as recently reinforced by the UN General Assembly resolution on NHRIs.
Priority areas include shrinking civic space and the protection of human rights defenders, and how NHRIs play a role in preventing reprisals. On torture prevention, GANHRI will highlight the work of NHRIs and National Preventive Mechanisms in monitoring detention facilities and advancing victim-centred approaches. The right to a healthy environment will also be a focus, reflecting the growing recognition of environmental challenges as human rights concerns. On the rights of persons with disabilities, GANHRI will emphasize the importance of their equal and meaningful participation in political life.
The GANHRI 2026 Annual Meeting will take place in Geneva from 30 March to 1 April, during the final days of HRC61. The meeting will bring together NHRIs from across the world to exchange experiences, strengthen collaboration, and advance collective engagement with international human rights mechanisms.
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Editorial note: GANHRI Head Office provides support for member institutions wishing to engage with HRC61. Further information on the session, including reports and documentation, is available on the OHCHR website. Opportunities for NHRI engagement can be found here, and proceedings can be followed online at UN Web TV.