United Nations Commission on Human Rights facts for kids
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) was an important group within the United Nations. It worked from 1946 until 2006. Its main job was to help protect and promote human rights around the world. The UNCHR was part of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It also got help from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. In 2006, the United Nations General Assembly decided to replace the UNCHR with a new group called the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Contents
What Was the UNCHR?
The UNCHR was created in 1946 by ECOSOC. It was one of the first groups set up within the early United Nations system. This group was formed under the rules of the United Nations Charter. All UN member countries agreed to these rules.
The Commission met for the first time in January 1947. It then created a special committee to write the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This important document was accepted by the United Nations on December 10, 1948.
How the UNCHR Changed Over Time
From 1947 to 1967, the UNCHR focused on encouraging human rights. It helped countries create agreements and laws about human rights. During this time, it did not investigate or criticize countries that violated human rights. It respected each country's independence.
In 1967, the Commission changed its approach. It decided to become more active. Many countries in Africa and Asia had recently become independent. They wanted the UN to do more about human rights problems. This was especially true because of the serious human rights issues in apartheid South Africa. The new policy meant the Commission would now investigate and report on human rights violations.
To help with this new goal, more changes happened. In the 1970s, the UNCHR started creating special groups. These groups focused on investigating problems in specific regions or even single countries, like Chile. In the 1980s, groups were formed to look into specific types of human rights abuses.
However, even with these changes, the Commission faced challenges. It became less effective because some countries that violated human rights were also members. This made the group more political. Over the years, many activists and governments became less confident in the UNCHR.
The Commission held its last meeting in Geneva on March 27, 2006. It was then replaced by the United Nations Human Rights Council later that year.
What Was the UNCHR's Job?
The Commission on Human Rights had a clear job. It was meant to check, watch, and report publicly on human rights situations. This included specific countries or areas. It also looked at major human rights problems around the world. The UNCHR was also expected to support and protect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
How the UNCHR Was Organized
When it closed, the Commission had representatives from 53 member countries. These members were chosen by ECOSOC. There were no permanent members. Each year, about one-third of the seats were open for election. Those chosen served for three years.
The seats on the Commission were divided by region. This used the system of the United Nations Regional Groups. In its last year, 2005, the members were from these regions:
- 15 from Africa
- 12 from Asia
- 5 from Eastern Europe
- 11 from Latin America and the Caribbean
- 10 from Western Europe and other countries
The Commission met every year for six weeks. These meetings were usually in March and April in Geneva, Switzerland. In January 2004, Australia led the 60th meeting. Indonesia led the 61st meeting in January 2005. Peru led the 62nd meeting in January 2006. The Commission had its final meeting in Geneva on March 27, 2006.
Sub-Commission on Human Rights
The main supporting group of the Commission on Human Rights was called the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. This group was made up of 26 experts. Their job was to study human rights issues. They especially looked at preventing discrimination and protecting minority groups. They also made suggestions to the main Commission. Members were chosen to make sure all regions were fairly represented.
The Sub-Commission created several smaller groups called Working Groups. These groups investigated specific human rights concerns. Some of these included:
- Minorities
- Big international companies
- Fairness in legal systems
- Fighting terrorism
- Modern forms of slavery
- Indigenous peoples
- Communication
- Social issues
When the United Nations Human Rights Council took over in 2006, it also took responsibility for the Sub-Commission.
Special Ways to Help Human Rights
The Commission on Human Rights set up 30 "special procedures." These were ways to deal with human rights problems in specific countries. They also looked at certain types of issues. Examples include freedom of expression, preventing torture, the right to food, and the right to education.
Experts in human rights were chosen by the Commission's leader. They were called Special Rapporteurs. They worked for up to six years. These experts were not paid. They were independent and received support from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Their main tasks were to check, watch, advise, and report publicly on human rights situations. They could write to governments about reported problems. They could also visit countries to gather facts if invited.
These special ways of working included both country-focused and topic-focused efforts.
Special procedures also included working groups. These groups had up to five experts. They monitored and investigated specific human rights concerns. Three such groups were created by the Commission:
- Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (about unfair arrests)
- Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (about people who go missing)
- Working Group on the use of mercenaries (paid soldiers) to stop people from deciding their own future
These special procedures are now managed by the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Addressing Genocide
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) passed many resolutions about genocide. Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group.
In 1978, the UNCHR supported a recommendation to share the Ruhashyankiko Report widely. This report was about preventing discrimination.
In August 1992, the UNCHR strongly condemned "ethnic cleansing" in the former Yugoslavia. This was a terrible act where people were forced out of their homes because of their ethnicity. The Commission did not call it genocide at that time. However, in November 1992, the UNCHR asked all countries to consider if the acts in Bosnia and Croatia were genocide.
In May 1994, Canada asked for an emergency meeting. This meeting was about the ongoing genocide in Rwanda. A Special Rapporteur named René Degni-Segui was appointed. He quickly visited Rwanda and reported on how widespread the genocide was.
See also
In Spanish: Comisión de Derechos Humanos de las Naciones Unidas para niños
- United Nations Human Rights Committee
