Iran, Syria Top UN's Human Rights Meeting

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay (right) talks to Remigiusz Henczel, president of the Human Rights Council, before the 22nd session of the council at the United Nations in Geneva.

Dozens of government officials are gathering in Geneva for a meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

The council's 22nd regular session runs until March 22.

Participants from the 47 member states will hold discussions on a range of human rights issues, including torture, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, freedom of religion and belief, the right to food and housing, and human trafficking.

The UN's high commissioner for human rights, Navi Pillay, will present her annual report.

The council will also hear expert reports on the human rights situations in Syria, North Korea, Myanmar, and Iran.

Reports on violence against children and on Israeli settlements are also on the agenda.