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

MENA Training GHRP News

Strengthening MENA Engagement with UN Human Rights Mechanisms: Second Edition of our Tailored Training

24 July 2025

Participants from six countries across the Middle East and North Africa region joined our customized training on the Geneva-based United Nations human rights mechanisms

Read more

GTI Logo News

In Highlight: Global Torture Index

26 June 2025

Via its DHRTTDs Directory, the Geneva Human Rights Platform provides a comprehensive list and description of such key tools and databases. But how to navigate them? Which tool should be used for what, and by whom? This interview helps us understand better the specificities of the current highlight of the directory: Global Torture Index

Read more

View of a session of the UN Human Rights Council Project

Human Rights Conversations

Started in January 2020

A series of events aimed at discussing contemporary issues and challenges related to the promotion and protection of human rights in Geneva and beyond.

Read more

A destroyed camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Khor Abeche, South Darfur, Project

Understanding the Relationship between Conflict, Security and the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment

Started in May 2023

This project will develop guidance to inform security, human rights and environmental debates on the linkages between environmental rights and conflict, and how their better management can serve as a tool in conflict prevention, resilience and early warning.

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more