The UN Human Rights Council at 20: Civil Society Demands Dignity in Diplomacy

In this episode of Cooper Union, recorded at the UN Human Rights Council's 62nd session in Geneva, Salma of the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) offers an insider look at the Council on its 20th anniversary. She reflects on two decades of progress — from setting international standards to responding to atrocities in Sudan — while candidly addressing key challenges: budget crises, threats to civil society participation, geopolitical pushback on gender rights, and the landmark US non-cooperation with the Universal Periodic Review. Salma also highlights historic wins, including the first-ever UN resolution explicitly naming reproductive violence, and makes a powerful case for why civil society is the oxygen that keeps global human rights alive.

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Music Credits

Music provided by: Johnny Helm https://www.johnnyhelm.com/

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Disclaimer

The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts or affiliated organizations.