5+6 HRC

Question 1

International Bill on Human Rights

Answer 1

1. UDHR,
2. ICCPR
3. ICESCR.
   Fundaments for human rights states should respect

Question 2

UDHR

Universal Declaration of Human rights

Answer 2

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), GA resolution, foundation for Human Rights Treaties.

Question 3

ICCPR

International Coveant of Civil and Political Rights

Answer 3

International Coveant of Civil and Political Rights

Treaty that commits nations to respect the civil and political rights of individuals, including the right to life, freedom of religion, freedom of speech.

Drafted: 1954
Effective:1976

Question 4

ICESCR

Internationalt Coveant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights

Answer 4

Internationalt Coveant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights 1966. Parts of the UDHR was codified into these treaties, and therefore binding.

Drafted: 1954
Effective: 1976

Question 5

UN charter article 55

Answer 5

Universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.

Question 6

How is China attempting to influence the UN human rights system?

Answer 6

Reframing human rights: Pushing the narrative that human rights are a matter of state-to-state relations, undermining the individual’s rights.

Silencing criticism: Blocking UN investigations into its human rights abuses and suppressing dissenting voices.

Leveraging financial influence: Using loans and investments to discourage criticism from recipient countries and secure support for its agenda.

China re-elected to HRC term.

Question 7

UNHRC

Answer 7

United Nation’s human rights council. Established in 2006.
Replaced the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), aiming to address its predecessor’s shortcomings.

Main IG withing UN responsible for human rights.

The Council operates as a forum for dialogue and cooperation, addressing human rights violations and making recommendations to improve human rights situations worldwide.

47 members
Elected on a three year term by GA

Financed through the UN’s regular budget

Question 8

UPR

Universal Periodic Review

Answer 8

Every 4½ year member states will get reviewed if they follow the state’s human rights obligations and commitments.

Based on 3 kind og reports:
1. National reports (goverments)
2. UN reports (consists of treaty bodies reports and special procedures, including observations, comments etc.)

Question 9

Special Procedures

Answer 9

HRC uses special procedures to examine and address human rights situations around the world. These procedures involve independent experts, called Special Rapporteurs, with mandates to investigate and report on specific human rights themes or country-specific situations.

Question 10

Special rapporteurs

Answer 10

Independent experts doing the special procedures.

Subject specific rapporteurs and and country specific.

Give rapport. Even if they don’t have acces to a country.

Question 11

Special Sessions

Answer 11

Sessions requested by memberstates to discuss an Dilemma 9/33 has been about Israel Palestine since 2006.
16 needs to agree that this special session should be incooporated.

Question 12

Regular sessions, UNHRC

Answer 12

3 sessions each year

Question 13

Standing agenda

Answer 13

A guideline for what can be discussed for the obligatory sessions.
Palestine is included.

Question 14

Alternative from UNHRC

Answer 14

*Regional Human Rights Mechanisms: Regional bodies, such as the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the European Court of Human Rights, play a significant role in promoting and protecting human rights within their respective regions.

Bilateral Diplomacy: States can engage directly with other governments to raise human rights concerns and promote improvements.

Civil Society Advocacy: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a crucial role in monitoring human rights situations, raising awareness, and advocating for change.

Question 15

Civil Society Organisations

Answer 15

Provides expertise on current human rights concerns + advocates for human rights in states to have an impact on change. Monitoring implementation.

Question 16

HRC membership selection

Answer 16

The UN General Assembly elects the 47 member states of the UNHRC for three-year terms based on equitable geographical distribution. While there are no mandatory criteria related to human rights performance, candidates are expected to:

Question 17

Criteria for joining the HRC

Answer 17

• Uphold the highest standards in promoting and protecting human rights.
• Cooperate fully with the Council.
• Consider voluntary pledges and commitments made during the election process.
• However, the use of closed slates by regional groups and the lack of enforceable qualitative criteria have resulted in the election of states with questionable human rights records.