UN Main Processes
(UNGA & HRC)
Key facts
The UN General Assembly (UNGA)
- The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making body of the UN.
- It is composed of all UN Member States and provides them with a forum for multilateral discussion of the international issues covered by the Charter of the UN. Each of the 193 Member States has an equal vote.
- It makes key decisions for the UN, including appointing the Secretary-General on the recommendation of the Security Council, electing non-permanent members of the Security Council, and approving the UN budget.
The Human Rights Committee (HRC)
- The Human Rights Council (HRC) is an intergovernmental body of the UN responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights across the globe.
- It is made up of 47 Member States based on equitable geographical distribution, elected by ballot by the members of the UNGA.
- It oversees the Universal Periodic Review, a mechanism which examines the human rights records of all UN Member States every four years.
- It appoints independent experts, known as special procedures, who monitor human rights violations in their individual capacities.
- It also launches fact-finding missions and establishes commissions of inquiry into specific situations of concern.
Related events
Why it matters
Both the UNGA and the HRC provide guidance to help Member States interpret their obligations under the UN Charter, and international human rights treaties, respectively. This guidance is provided in the form of UNGA and HRC resolutions, and HRC reports and findings from its fact-finding missions.
The UNGA and the HRC, and their subsidiary bodies, expert mechanisms, working groups and forums, provide advice to Member States to interpret their obligations as they relate to the development, use, procurement, deployment and regulation of digital technologies.
Both entities have also shaped norms and provided guidance on digital technology governance. For example, the HRC famously affirmed and continues to reaffirm the principle that human rights apply online as they do offline (see, for instance: A/HRC/RES/20/8, agreed in July 2012).
How it works
The UNGA and the HRC both meet in regular sessions throughout the year.
- The UNGA meets from September to December each year.
- The HRC meets in three regular sessions each year.
The UNGA and the HRC both discuss specific agenda items which lead to the adoption of resolutions. As noted earlier, some of these resolutions concern the governance of digital technologies.
The development of resolutions is led by one or more Member States of each body (pen-holders). Stakeholders may engage by providing input to Member States during resolution negotiations. Sometimes, Member States may invite stakeholders to join dedicated consultations. The HRC is more open, at times enabling stakeholders to participate directly in negotiations.
There are also opportunities to engage in the work of HRC special procedures. These independent experts regularly release open calls for input to inform the development of thematic or country reports; undertake country visits where they consult with stakeholders; and receive communications. Both thematic and country experts have dealt with issues relating to digital technologies and their governance.
How to engage
UNGA
- Monitor the renewal and development of resolutions on the right to privacy in the digital age, and on safe, secure and trustworthy AI.
- Engage with resolution “pen-holders” and submit input during the drafting stage.
HRC
- Monitor the renewal and development of resolutions on new and emerging technologies, the right to privacy in the digital age and human rights on the Internet.
- Engage with resolution “pen-holders” and submit input during the drafting stage.
- Monitor and make submissions for the thematic reports of the HRC special procedures (see left).
Ask GPD for support and advice.