6-7. Human Rights and the UN Human Rights System Flashcards
What are the three main international bills on human rights?
- UDHR
- ICCPR
- ICESCR
Fundaments for human rights states should respect
What is the UDHR?
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), GA resolution, foundation for Human Rights Treaties.
What is the ICCPR?
International Covenant 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.
What is the ICESCR?
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1966. Parts of the UDHR were codified into these treaties, and therefore binding.
Drafted: 1954
Effective: 1976.
What does UN Charter Article 55 state?
Universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.
How is China attempting to influence the UN human rights system?
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.
What is the UNHRC?
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 within 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
What is the UPR?
Universal Periodic Review: Every 4½ years member states will get reviewed if they follow the state’s human rights obligations and commitments.
Based on 3 kinds of reports:
1. National reports (governments)
2. UN reports (consists of treaty bodies reports and special procedures, including observations, comments etc.).
What are Special Procedures in the context of the HRC?
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.
Who are Special Rapporteurs?
Independent experts doing the special procedures.
Subject-specific rapporteurs and country-specific.
Give reports even if they don’t have access to a country.
What are Special Sessions in the UNHRC?
Sessions requested by member states to discuss a dilemma. 9/33 has been about Israel-Palestine since 2006.
16 needs to agree that this special session should be incorporated.
How many regular sessions does the UNHRC hold each year?
3 sessions each year.
What is the Standing Agenda?
A guideline for what can be discussed for the obligatory sessions. Palestine is included.
What are alternatives to the UNHRC?
*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.
What role do Civil Society Organizations play?
Provides expertise on current human rights concerns
Advocates for human rights in states to have an impact on change. Monitoring implementation.
