The United Nations Human Rights Council
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The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) was established in 2006 by the UN General Assembly as the primary intergovernmental body responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. It succeeded the former Commission on Human Rights, with the aim of strengthening the UN's ability to respond to human rights violations and emerging global issues more effectively.
The first session of the HRC was held in Geneva, Switzerland, where the Council is permanently based. During its inaugural meeting, the Council adopted foundational mechanisms such as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which allows for the assessment of the human rights records of all UN member states on a regular basis.
The HRC is composed of 47 member states, elected by the UN General Assembly for staggered three-year terms. Membership is based on equitable geographic distribution and includes countries from all regions of the world. The Council holds at least three regular sessions per year, and may convene special sessions in response to urgent human rights crises.
Over the years, the HRC has played a pivotal role in addressing issues such as freedom of expression, women’s rights, racial discrimination, LGBTQ+ rights, and the rights of migrants and refugees. It also undertakes country-specific investigations and authorizes independent experts and special rapporteurs to report on human rights conditions globally.
Today, the Human Rights Council serves as a forum for dialogue, accountability, and cooperation, working closely with other UN bodies, regional organizations, and civil society actors. Through its resolutions, reports, and investigative mechanisms, the HRC strives to uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals, fostering a more just and equitable international community.
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Forced repatriation (also known as refoulement) refers to the return of individuals (refugees, asylum seekers, or displaced persons) to a country where they may face persecution, violence, or serious human rights violations. Despite international legal protections, this practice remains alarmingly common, particularly in the context of large-scale displacement due to war, political repression, or environmental disaster.
According to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, as well as customary international law, the principle of non-refoulement is a cornerstone of refugee protection. It prohibits states from returning refugees or asylum seekers to territories where their life or freedom would be threatened. This is reinforced by Article 3 of the Convention Against Torture and Article 33 of the UNHCR Statute.
However, many states continue to engage in or justify forced returns, citing national security, irregular migration concerns, or diplomatic agreements. For example, recent reports document forced returns of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh to Myanmar, Afghan asylum seekers from Pakistan and Iran, and sub-Saharan migrants from North Africa back to conflict zones like Libya. Moreover, increasing xenophobia, border militarization, and shifting political climates in host countries are eroding the asylum system globally.
The complexity of modern migration also blurs legal categories. Climate-induced displacement, for instance, often leaves victims without formal refugee status, thus excluding them from protections under current legal regimes. This raises urgent questions about how the Human Rights Council should address gaps in international law that allow vulnerable groups to be forcibly returned.
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Under what conditions, if any, can repatriation be considered lawful under international human rights law? What mechanisms should exist to ensure that repatriations are voluntary, informed, and safe and how effective are they?
How should international law evolve to protect people displaced by climate change, economic instability, or generalized violence?
What role should regional human rights courts play in enforcing the principle of non-refoulement?
Are current return agreements between states and countries of origin in violation of human rights norms?
How should the rights of stateless individuals or those lacking documentation be protected in repatriation processes?
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The right to freedom of opinion and expression, enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), is a foundational pillar of democratic societies. However, this right is increasingly under threat due to state-led media censorship, internet shutdowns, targeted disinformation laws, and repression of journalists and digital activists.
Globally, authoritarian and semi-authoritarian regimes have adopted sophisticated tools to control public discourse. Governments justify censorship on grounds of national security, combating fake news, or public morality, but often suppress dissent, limit investigative journalism, and restrict digital activism. For example, in countries like Russia, China, Iran, Egypt, and Myanmar, independent media outlets have been shuttered, journalists imprisoned, and social media platforms blocked or surveilled.
At the same time, even democratic governments are grappling with how to regulate hate speech, disinformation, and harmful content online without undermining fundamental rights. The debate over platform regulation, algorithmic bias, and freedom of the press is a live issue in regions from the EU to India to the U.S.
This agenda is meant to explore how the Human Rights Council can address media censorship in all its forms, including but not limited to traditional press restrictions and digital censorship, while balancing the need for regulation and public safety. The challenge lies in defining acceptable limits on speech and ensuring those limits do not become tools of repression.
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How can the international community define the line between legitimate regulation and unlawful censorship?
What mechanisms can be used to hold states accountable for violating freedom of expression online or offline?
How can the rights of journalists and whistleblowers be better protected under international human rights frameworks?
How can freedom of expression be balanced with the need to combat hate speech and disinformation?
What protections should exist for citizens in countries that shut down the internet or block access to independent media during protests or elections?
What tools can be developed to help civil society document and resist media censorship?
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Position papers are due on February 12, 2026 in order to be considered eligible for an award.
contact: hsmun.hrc@gmail.com