The United Nations Human Rights Council opened its 13th session Monday in Geneva with a high level segment featuring foreign ministers and other visiting senior governmental officials, DPA reported.
Countries sending the high ranking officials, include Colombia, Iran, the United States, Switzerland and Thailand, and the opening speeches would last through Wednesday.
The Council was also set to deal with issues like reports on torture, detention and disappearances. A full day would also be spent on children's rights.
Last year's heated and debated review of the 2001 UN conference on racism in Durban, South Africa, was due to be considered during the four-week session.
Country specific issues were also on the agenda, including the human rights situations in the Palestinian territories, Somalia, North Korea and Myanmar.