UN Human Right commision

                                

  UN Human Rights Commission

Objectives

 Examine the historical and philosophical backdrop of UNCHR

 Understand the linkage between UNCHR and other UN organs

 Elaborate the activities and interventions

 Engage with the debates on abolition of UNCHR

The idea of protecting human rights actually precedes the United Nations. After having experienced the two disastrous World Wars of the twentieth century, the perception of international community on individual and collective rights had increased enormously. It was with this broad concern in mind, in 1946, the UN established the Commission on Human Rights as one of the principal policy-making bodies for human rights. Originally composed of 18 members States, the UN Commission on Human Rights Commission (UNCHR) went on to include 53 members who meet annually in Geneva to review, develop and codify new international norms, and make recommendations to Governments on human rights issues.

All Members of the United Nations pledge themselves, in Article 56 of the Charter signed at San Francisco, to take both joint and individual action, in cooperation with the United Nations organization, to bring about universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and certain fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion. The responsibility placed upon the United Nations for the effective promotion of the universal observance of these and other fundamental freedoms is to be discharged, according to Articles 60 and 68 of the Charter, by the General Assembly, by the Economic and Social Council, and by a Commission on Human Rights. The major assignment of the Commission is to provide effective leadership in building up a system of international cooperation by sovereign States which may insist inopportunely upon their right “to order their national affairs . . . in their own way.” The Commission, with the support of the Economic and Social Council, will have to work out methods of procedure, acceptable to the sovereign States, for obtaining information as to the manner in which the fundamental freedoms are observed in each of the States.

The philosophy and practice of UN towards human rights inherently stands to cover all human beings, irrespective of nationalities, place of residence, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language, or any other status. The idea to ensure rights of all without discrimination constitutes the core of UN’s willingness to produce a Universal system on human rights. The Universal human rights are often expressed and guaranteed by several UN laws such as treaties, customary international laws, conventions, etc. International human rights law lays down obligations of Governments to act in certain ways or to refrain from certain acts, in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of all.

Historically speaking, the principle of universality of human rights is the cornerstone of international system on human rights. It is pertinent to link the UNCHR with the overall UN’s international will to weave a way to safeguard fundamental rights from a non-discriminatory perspective. For example, the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) served as the backbone of UNCHR’s activities in general. 

 

Objectives

The primary objectives of UNCHR include greater engagement, working closely with the UN partners at all levels in order to ensure that international human rights standards. UNCHR officiated by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) represents the international will to ensure human rights and dignity. Thus, the UNCHR enjoys a unique mandate from the international community vis-à-vis human rights.