The United Nations Human Rights System

The United Nations was established in 1945 by 51 countries in order to create and seek global peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations and promote social progress and change, better living standards and human rights.

The United Nations is the only organization with a worldwide mandate to mainstream human rights. This role is carried out by a number of human rights bodies, with the assistance of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The type of protection provided by the United Nations on issues of human rights is based on either Charter-based or treaty-based mechanisms.

Charter-based bodies:

Charter bodies derive their establishment from provisions contained in the UN Charter. These bodies generally hold broad human rights mandates, address the widest possible audience and can only take action based on majority voting. 

1. Human Rights Council (for further explanation click here )
2. Universal Periodic Review (for further explanation click here)
3. Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council (for further explanation click here)

Treaty-based bodies:

Treaty-based bodies are committees of independent experts that monitor implementation of core international human rights treaties. They derive from provisions contained in a specific legal instrument, hold narrower mandates and address only those countries that have ratified the legal instruments they monitor. They take decisions on the basis of consensus. 

1. The Human Rights Committee (for more specific information click here)
2. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (for more specific information click here)
3. The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (for more specific information click here)
4. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (for more specific information click here)
5. The Committee Against Torture (for more specific information click here) 
   1. Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture - The Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture
6. The Committee on the Rights of the Child 
7. The Committee on Migrant Workers 
8. The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Communication with the UN

Step 1. Get consultative status with the United Nations.

In order to formally interact with the United Nations you must obtain a consultative status. This will give you and your organisation access to relevant conferences and events. You may submit written statements and present oral statements on issues of your expertise. Your application will be viewed by the Committee on NGOs. When the relationship is approved, you can request ground passes and you may register for conferences. If you want to request consultative status, click here.  

Can someone help me with this?

The United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service (UN-NGLS) is an inter-agency programme of the United Nations mandated to promote and develop constructive relations between the United Nations and Civil Society. For useful information and upcoming events of the UN-NGLS click here.