Event information

20 October 2020, 12:30-14:00

Book Launch: A Practical Anatomy of the Human Rights Council

Event

Banner with the cover of the book Banner with the cover of the book

The book A Practical Anatomy of the Human Rights Council (Elgar) dissects every aspect of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council's (HRC) work and analyses the efficiency of, and interactions between, its mechanisms. Authored by Eric Tistounet, Chief of the HRC Branch at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), it provides unique practitioner insights into the complex decision-making processes of the Council alongside the core variations from its predecessor.

This book – set to become a key resource for NGOs, diplomats, UN officials and other participants in HRC proceedings, whilst also being valuable to human rights students and academics seeking to broaden their understanding of HRC operations – is the outcome of a six-month research fellowship carried out by the author at the Geneva Academy.

Presentation of the Book

  • Eric Tistounet, Chief of the Human Rights Council Branch, OHCHR

Moderation

  • Felix Kirchmeier, Executive Director, Geneva Human Rights Platform

Comments by

  • Salma El Hosseiny, Programme Manager (Human Rights Council) International Service for Human Rights
  • Bertrand Ramcharan, Former UN Acting and Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights
  • Coly Seck, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Senegal to the UN Office at Geneva and Former President of the HRC

In Geneva and Online

This event will be held simultaneously in Geneva and online on the Zoom platform.

In Geneva

Participants wishing to follow the event at our headquarters Villa Moynier must announce themselves by email (charlotte.day[at]geneva-academy.ch), as the capacity of the conference room is limited to 20 persons to respect current regulations regarding social distancing. The wearing of a mask inside the premises is required.

Online

For online participation, you need to register to attend the meeting via this link.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Video

Book Launch: A Practical Anatomy of the Human Rights Council

At this launch event, the book's author, Eric Tistounet, presented his piece on the work of the UN Human Rights Council, with comments from various stakeholders involved in the work of this major human rights body, including the former Deputy-High Commissioner for Human Rights Bertrand Ramcharan, civil society representatives and diplomats.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Human Rights Tiles News

From Signals to Action: Strengthening the UN's Conflict Prevention Efforts

31 March 2025

Our recent research brief series explores how the United Nations' human rights system can enhance its role in early warning and conflict prevention.

Read more

Enforced Disappearances Event

'Short-term' Enforced Disappearances

23 September 2025, 13:00-14:00

This side event will bring together stakeholders to discuss the growing concerning recurrence to short-term enforced disappearances worldwide, and the challenges they pose for victims and accountability.

Read more

Special Rapporteur Sign Event

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in an Era of Escalating Armed Conflict: Where Can International Human Rights Law Help?

25 September 2025, 18:30-20:00

This evening dialogue will present the publication: International Human Rights Law: A Treatise, Cambridge University Press (2025).

Read more

Town Hall Meeting Training

Localizing International Human Rights

8-10 October 2025

This training course, specifically designed for staff of city and regional governments, will explore the means and mechanisms through which local and regional governments can interact with and integrate the recommendations of international human rights bodies in their concrete work at the local level.

Read more

Un plate with Rapporteur Spécial written on it Project

Support to UN Special Procedures

Started in June 2020

Read more

Project

Follow-up Review Pilot Series

Started in November 2021

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more