Human Rights Bodies
Mechanisms for the protection and promotion of human
rights
The United Nations system for the promotion and protection of
human rights consists of two main types of body: bodies created
under the UN Charter, including the Commission on Human Rights, and
bodies created under the international human rights treaties. Most
of these bodies receive secretariat support from the Treaties and
Commission Branch of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights (OHCHR).
Charter bodies
Treaty
bodies
There are seven human rights treaty bodies that monitor
implementation of the
core international human rights
treaties:
Click here for a general
overview of the human rights treaty bodies.
Four of the Committees (HRC, CERD, CAT and CEDAW) can, under
certain conditions, receive petitions from individuals who claim
that their rights under the treaties have been violated. More information.
The treaty bodies coordinate their activities through an annual
meeting of chairpersons of human rights treaty bodies and
through the
inter-committee meeting. More information.
The treaty body are continually seeking ways to enhance their
effectiveness through streamlining and harmonization of working
methods and practices. More
information.
Other UN human rights
bodies There are several other important United
Nations bodies which are concerned with the promotion and protection
of human rights. These bodies are not serviced by OHCHR and include:
Other UN entities involved in
human rights promotion and protection Many United Nations agencies and partners are also
involved in the promotion and protection of human rights and
interact with the main human rights bodies:
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