The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is an “intergovernmental body within the United Nations (UN) system made up of 47 states responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe.” While the UN has adopted the broad goal of addressing human rights in the UN Charter, UNHRC serves as the main forum for dialogue and intergovernmental cooperation on a variety of human rights issues. The Council was established through the UN’s adoption of Resolution A/RES/60/251 and is tasked with the responsibility of addressing and making recommendations concerning particular human rights violations.

Darfur is a region of Western Sudan that has been marked by ethnic diversity and conflict. Since the early 2000s, government forces and allied militias have defended against rebel groups seeking greater autonomy. This conflict took a devastating toll on Darfur, with 200,000 deaths and nearly two million displaced people. Although there has been violence occurring intermittently, there have been constant worries about human rights violations such as sexual violence, torture, and arbitrary killings. This has further aggravated the conflict by escalating the usage of violence and has led to a more intense humanitarian crisis, political instability, and psychological impacts. In addition, there are reports of people suffering from inadequate medical aid and malnutrition. The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) plays a crucial role in addressing these issues. Efforts must address the need for increased humanitarian support, civilian protection, and promoting reconciliation among ethnic groups. This will require urgent and coordinated international action to ensure justice, peace, and stability for affected populations.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been plagued by a severe human rights crisis. Throughout the country, there is widespread violence, political instability, and violations of civil liberties. This major crisis dates to the early 1990s. Since then, the country has endured armed conflicts and systemic corruption, resulting in the internal displacement of millions of citizens. In some cases, government forces have been involved in killing civilians during protests. Journalists, activists, and peaceful protesters are also facing repression. Police have used force to stop peaceful demonstrations and authorities have targeted media and opposition members. There are significant obstacles to improving the stability of the DRC and upholding human rights. Military forces must treat people fairly, arbitrary arrests must stop, and freedom of expression and assembly must be restored. The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is tasked with formulating strategies to strengthen human rights protections, facilitate humanitarian aid delivery, and foster peace in the DRC for centuries to come.