Summary of UN Human Rights Activities

The United Nation

The United Nations is an international organization that was established in 1945.

Currently consisting of 193 member states, the UN’s activities are based on the objectives and principles contained in the UN Charter.

The United Nations is one of the world-leading bodies for shaping worldwide consensus on important ethical issues.
Human rights activities of the United Nations that ought to be remembered as well as mention their historical and cultural backgrounds will be introduced.

Summary of UN Human Rights activities

UN Human Rights activities
The UN’s human rights activities include the following:

  • Creation of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
  • (UN Human Rights Activities) High-Level Meetings
  • World Humanitarian Summit

Creation of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Creation of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 is the foundation upon which human rights are based.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has the following objectives:

  • By being resolute in declaring and bringing about the universal realization and implementation of Human Rights.
  • By emphasizing the importance of Human Rights issues on the national and international stage.
  • Promote international cooperation for human rights.
  • Being the impetus for reconciliation and coordinating human rights throughout the entire organization.
  • Being the impetus for reconciliation and coordinating human rights throughout the entire organization.
  • Facilitating the development of new standards.
  • Supporting human rights institutions and treaty monitoring bodies.
  • Responding to human rights violations.
  • Taking preventive measures in ensuring human rights.
  • Taking preventive measures in ensuring human rights.
  • Conducting activities and operations in the field of human rights.
  • Providing education with regards to human rights.

In addition, the activities of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights are not limited to the formulation and dissemination of regulations.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is taking action to promote human rights awareness at the grassroots level.

Reference:”What we do: an overview – OHCHR”

UN Human Rights Activities High-Level Gatherings

The UN holds high-level meetings to deal with human rights issues.
These high-level meetings primarily include the following.

  • These high-level meetings primarily include the following.
  • Development Financing
  • World Women’s Congress
  • Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations
  • Implementation of the SDGs Water-related Targets
  • AIDS

In these high-level meetings, human rights and other issues are addressed at the national level.

Through these high-level meetings, the UN conducts human rights activities.

Reference : “General Assembly – the United Nations”

Global Humanitarian Summit

The Global Humanitarian Summit was convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon.

The Global Humanitarian Summit aims to support humanitarian assistance currently being provided.

The Global Humanitarian Summit was attended by 55 heads of state and representative governments.

Additionally, the event features 9,000 participants including individuals from the private sector.

The World Humanitarian Summit however has been called out for some points of contention.
One such perceived problematic point is Doctors Without Borders.

WORLD HUMANITARIAN SUMMIT states the following.

“However, with regret, we have come to the decision to pull out of the summit. We no longer have any hope that the WHS will address the weaknesses in humanitarian action and emergency response, particularly in conflict areas or epidemic situations. Instead, the WHS’s focus would seem to be an incorporation of humanitarian assistance into a broader development and resilience agenda. Further, the summit neglects to reinforce the obligations of states to uphold and implement the humanitarian and refugee laws which they have signed up to.”

Reference:”MSF to pull out of World Humanitarian Summit – MSF”

Reference:”World Humanitarian Summit – Agenda for Humanity”

United Nations’ missions

United Nations’ missions

The purpose of the United Nations is to maintain peace around the world.

The United Nations was founded in 1945 after World War II with the goal of maintaining international peace and security.

The UN works to prevent conflict and engages with conflicting parties to establish consensus and peace.

To achieve this, peacekeepers are deployed with the intent of creating an environment in which peace can be maintained and thrive.

The UN also states the purpose as the following:

  • Maintaining peace around the world.
  • To develop friendly relations between nations.
  • Encourage countries to work together to improve the lives of the poor, overcome hunger, disease, and illiteracy, and respect each other’s rights and freedoms.
  • To be the focal point for harmonizing the actions of countries to achieve these goals.

Reference:”History of the UN – United Nations Seventieth Anniversary”

maintain peace in the world.
In addition, a robust United Nations will eventually lead to the realization of world peace.

Reference : “About Us – the United Nations”

UN’s approach to human rights

UN's approach to human rights
The UN’s human rights working methods include the following

  • ● Humanitarian Aid
  • ● Creation of International Laws
  • ● Acting as an authority in addressing human rights issues

Humanitarian Aid

The UN provides humanitarian assistance for human rights violations.
The UN provides humanitarian assistance for human rights violations.
そOne such method in attempting to solve said problems is the provision of humanitarian aid.
The UN has established the following agencies.

  • (UNDP)
  • (UNHCR)
  • (UNICEF)
  • (WFP)

These agencies provide support to those who have been subjected to human rights abuses.

Human rights abuses aren’t limited to physical and/or mental in scope but poverty and any other type of human rights abuse.
The support provided is broad in scope.
Reference :”Peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet – the United Nations”

Creation of International Law

The United Nations engages in human rights activities by establishing international laws.
International law is a set of laws that all member states of the United Nations are obliged to strictly adhere to.

International law includes the following:

  • Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
  • International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
  • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
  • International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
  • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
  • United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
  • Convention on the Rights of the Child
  • Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
  • International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism
  • International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism
  • Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
  • United Nations Convention on the International Transport of Goods by Sea, in Whole or in Part Contract
  • Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

The International Law Commission is a body that promotes the development of international law and codification.
It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1947.
It also established the International Court of Justice as a place where trials are conducted in accordance with international law.
The International Court of Justice is an institution established in order to solve international issues.
It is also capable of dealing with serious human rights violations such as genocide.
Reference:”International Law and Justice – the United Nations”

Taking the lead in addressing human rights issues

The UN in its role as de-facto arbitrator tackles human rights issues and prosecutes abuses.
A characteristic of The United Nations is its Security Council.
The Security Council is an organization that provides solutions to international problems.
It is the decision-making body of the United Nations in which many countries participate.
Within The UN, decisions are made through these organizations.
They not only make decisions but also lead initiatives based on those decisions.
In this way, the UN takes a leading position and tackles human rights issues.
Reference:”Maintain International Peace and Security – the United Nations”
Reference:”About Us – the United Nations”

United Nations Human Rights Q&A

United Nations Human Rights Q&A

What is the basic idea behind the UN’s human rights activities?

The United Nations operates on the basis of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was established in 1948.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is characterized by its provisions on fundamental human rights, which are to be protected internationally.
The United Nations has set up institutions to uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
It has the goal of building a more sustainable world.

It has the goal of building a more sustainable world.

The role of the United Nations can be broadly divided into the following five categories:

  • Maintaining international peace and security
  • Protecting human rights
  • Providing humanitarian assistance
  • Helping to combat climate change through sustainable development
  • Upholding international law

The role of the UN is to ensure that basic human rights are protected and that world peace is maintained.
Provide support to ensure that those rights are inalienable.
This is the UN’s main purpose.

Have there been any problems with regard to the UN’s human rights activities?

Ironically, human rights violations perpetrated by peacekeepers have been an ongoing issue.
Specifically, human rights violations towards children and women by peacekeepers in recipient countries.
In response, the UN has stated the following.

The blue beret or the blue helmet you wear represents hope for the vulnerable population of the CAR

Reference:”Fresh allegations of sexual abuse made against UN peacekeepers in Central African Republic – UN News”
This has cast a shadow over the hypocritical behavior conducted by UN Peacekeepers who violate the international law they aim to protect.

The UN however is attempting to deal with these problems.
In an attempt at transparency, it is also reporting on abuses committed by its peacekeeping personnel to prevent further incidents in the future?

Reference:”New sexual abuse allegations against UN peacekeepers in CAR – UN News”

Understanding the Human Rights activities of The United Nations

Understanding the Human Rights activities of The United Nations

In order to fully grasp what human rights are, knowledge of the human rights activities conducted by the UN is necessary.
Understanding their activities helps to understand what must be done now.
Active participation or the support of human rights activities is possible.

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