Role of International bodies in promoting and enforcing HR

• State sovreignty is the capcity and power of the government to take control of its own affairs and make laws for its state or territory without foreign interference.
• Un general Assembly

  • Main forum for international discussions/declerations/recommendations
  • The UN's principal human rights body (The UN Human Rights Council), directly reporys to the UN General Assembly
• UN Human Rights Council (HRC)

  • Established in 2006
  • Operates under the UN General Assembly
  • Made up of 47 member states (who are rotated on 3 year terms)
  • Aims to address human rights abuses worldwide through making recommendations and closely working with the OHCHR
• The UN Security Council

  • Has 5 permenant members
  • China, France, United States, United Kingdom, Russia:
  • This council has the power to intervene in th emost serious of human rights abuses by states
  • Exercises its power to legally binding resolutions
• The economic and social council

  • 54 rotating members
  • Acts as the central forum for discussion of ecnomic, social, environmental and humanitarian issues
  • Meet annually to assist in promoting international economic and social cooperation development
• The UN Secretriat

  • Main administrative body of the UN
  • Ove 44 000 staff working worldwide
  • Is headed by the UN Secretary General - Antonia Guterres
  • Includes the UN's departments and offices including:
  • Office of the High Commiissioner for Human Rights [OHCHR]
• The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights [OHCHR]

  • Established in 1993
  • Role is to carry out and enforce policies of the UN
  • Acts to promote and protect the human rigths contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)