LibGuides: International Human Rights Law: United Nations

United Nations Official Sources

United Nations Human Rights Bodies each produce documentation. The links below with direct you to the appropriate online resources for both Charter bodies and Treaty bodies.

U.N. Human Rights Homepage
United Nations Documentation Research Guide
Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights
Human Rights Treaty-based Bodies Database
Searchable by convention (i.e. treaty), country, type of document, and document symbol, with limits for date range. No keyword search.
Covers documents produced by official UN treaty-based bodies. (For list, see Human Rights Bodies—Treaty-based bodies.)
General Assembly Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural)
The General Assembly allocates to its Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs Committee, commonly referred to as the "Third Committee", agenda items relating to a range of social, humanitarian affairs and human rights issues that affect people all over the world.

Report of the Human Rights Committee by United Nations Human Rights Committee
Call Number: DAL Dunn Law Library JX 4000 U572 R42 and online via NovaNet
Publication Date: 1977
The Human Rights Committee is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by its State parties. All States parties are obliged to submit regular reports to the Committee on how the rights are being implemented. The Committee examines each report and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the State party in the form of "concluding observations”.

Charter Based Bodies

Charter-based bodies:

derive their establishment from provisions contained in the Charter of the United Nations,
hold broad human rights mandates,
address an unlimited audience, and
take action based on majority voting.

Human Rights Council (2006- )
The Human Rights Council was established by General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006. The Human Rights Council is the successor of the Commission on Human Rights.
Universal Periodic Review Working Group (2007)
General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006, which established the Human Rights Council, mandates a universal periodic review of each state's fulfillment of its human rights obligations and commitments. Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, “Institution-building of the United Nations Human Rights Council,” sets out the main elements of the universal periodic review.
Human Rights Council Advisory Committee (2007- )
The Human Rights Council Advisory Committee was established by Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007. The Advisory Committee is composed of 18 experts serving in their personal capacity and functions as a think-tank for the Council. The Advisory Committee supercedes the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.
Special Procedures (1947- )
The Human Rights Council has responsibility for the special procedures, including those originally established by the Commission on Human Rights. The special procedures include special rapporteurs, special representatives, independent experts, and working groups, that investigate, discuss, and report on specific human rights issues under a country mandate or thematic mandate.
Commission on Human Rights (1946-2006)
The Commission on Human Rights was established by Economic and Social Council resolution 5 (I) of 16 February 1946. The Commission met in annual and, when required, special sessions and reported to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The Commission on Human Rights concluded its 62nd and final session on 27 March 2006; its work is continued by the Human Rights Council.
Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (1947-2006)
The Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights was established by the Commission on Human Rights under the authority of Economic and Social Council resolution 9 (II) of 21 June 1946. The name was changed from Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities by ECOSOC decision 1999/256 of 27 July 1999. The work of the Subcommission is continued by the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee.

Treaty Based Bodies

Treaty-based bodies:

derive their existence from provisions contained in a specific legal instrument,
hold more narrow mandates (i.e., the set of issues codified in the legal instrument),
address a limited audience (i.e., only those countries that have ratified the legal instrument), and
base their decision-making on consensus.

Human Rights Committee
The Human Rights Committee was established pursuant to Article 28 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The Committee meets in three sessions each year in New York and Geneva.
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights was established by Economic and Social Council resolution 1985/17 of 28 May 1985, to supervise the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and functions like a treaty body. The Committee meets in two sessions each year in Geneva.
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was established pursuant to Article 8 of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The Committee meets in two sessions each year in Geneva.
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was established pursuant to Article 17 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The Committee meets in two sessions each year. Beginning in 2008, meetings are held in Geneva; previously all meetings were held in New York.
Committee Against Torture
The Committee against Torture was established pursuant to Article 17 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The Committee meets in two sessions each year in Geneva.
Committee on the Rights of the Child
he Committee on the Rights of the Child was established pursuant to Article 43 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Committee meets in three sessions each year in Geneva.
Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Worker and Members of Their Families
The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Worker and Members of Their Families was established pursuant to Article 72 of the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. The Committee meets in one session each year in Geneva.
Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was established pursuant to Article 34 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Committee meets in two sessions each year in Geneva.

Conferences

World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (Durban II) August 31 - September 7, 2001

10th Anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action (Durban III)