Global: General Assembly resumes talks on Human Rights Council

The United Nations General Assembly January 11 resumed closed-door talks on setting up the new UN Human Rights Council to replace the Commission on Human Rights, as called for by leaders meeting at the 2005 World Summit last September. The creation of a new Council is widely seen as an opportunity to open a new chapter in the UN’s human rights work, which, though comprehensive and respected, suffered from the tainted reputation of the Commission.