The article reviews the activities and resolutions of the UN Human Rights Council during 2023, highlighting robust political engagement with over 130 world leaders, the adoption of 110 texts with significant financial implications, and efforts to address pressing human rights issues including accountability for authoritarian regimes and structural international governance. Despite internal polarisation and challenges related to inter-state divisions, the Council demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting and protecting human rights.

The article details how the UN Human Rights Council, despite its integral role in promoting human rights globally, faces significant funding challenges. As of November 30, 2023, it received $251.2 million in voluntary contributions from a diverse donor base that includes nations and private entities. The report highlights how political actions—such as the Trump administration’s 2017 withdrawal from the Council and funding conditions imposed by U.S. policymakers—have contributed to funding volatility and distortions in agenda-setting. Despite these challenges, the Council remains steadfast in its human rights mission.

A report highlights that authoritarian regimes are exploiting their seats on the UN Human Rights Council to weaken its human rights accountability by transforming it into a forum for mutual praise and diluted debate.

Experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council condemned the increasing use of AI-driven surveillance and generative AI for disinformation, urging governments and industry to implement strict regulatory measures to safeguard human rights, ensure privacy, and combat labor exploitation in digital content moderation.

On June 2, 2023, UN experts emphasized the need for strict oversight and robust transparency over new digital technologies, including AI-based biometric surveillance systems and generative AI. The call was made in light of concerns that these technologies could facilitate invasive surveillance practices, labor exploitation in content moderation, and other human rights abuses.

During a session of the Human Rights Council, the UN Special Rapporteur warned of an alarming increase in the use of intrusive and high-risk surveillance technologies — such as drones, biometrics, AI, and spyware — being justified under counterterrorism measures without adequate safeguards. The rapporteur called for a pause on their use until proper regulations are instituted to protect fundamental rights.

The UN Human Rights Council published a report on May 28, 2019, calling for an immediate moratorium on the global sale and transfer of private surveillance technology and urging states and private companies to implement rigorous human rights safeguards.