Bertrand G. Ramcharan is a Barrister-at-Law of Lincoln's Inn and Senior Fellow at the Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies, CUNY, USA. His publications include Contemporary Human Rights Ideas (2008)

The Human Rights Council is already the subject of major public interest and controversy. The Council is already being criticized for having dropped some of the protection strategies of the former commission and this book aims to present a balanced view of the council, acknowledging where it has made positive contributions, point out its deficiencies, and identify options for improving the body's future work.

Introduction 1. The Mandate and Roles 2. Institutional and Procedural Architecture 3. The Universal Periodic Review 4. The Legislative Role 5. Promotional and Educational Role 6. Preventive Role 7. Fact-finding Role 8. Protection Role 9. The Advisory Committee 10. NGOs and the Council Conclusions