In a "historic" vote, General Assembly creates new UN Human Rights Council

15 March 2006 - Culminating months of intensive negotiations, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on a resolution setting up a new Human Rights Council to replace the much-criticized Human Rights Commission ? prompting Secretary-General Kofi Annan to hail this as an "historic" development which will help improve the lives of millions of people worldwide.

The General Assembly decides that the Council will be responsible for promoting universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind and in a fair and equal manner.
(UN News Centre)

General Assembly resolution