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The OHCHR is the United Nations office with primary
responsibility for promoting and protecting the enjoyment and full
realization of human rights for all...
Complaining about human rights
violations
The ability of individuals to complain about
the violation of their rights in an international arena brings real
meaning to the rights contained in the human rights treaties. There are
three main procedures for bringing complaints of violations of the
provisions of the human rights treaties before the human rights treaty
bodies:
Complaint Procedure
Human Rights
Bodies
The
Office Of The High Commisioner For Human Rights.
The Office Of The United Nation
Comissioner For Human RightsIndividual complaints and model
questionnaire
The mission of the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is to protect and promote all
human rights for all and to prevent the occurrence or continuation of
human rights abuses throughout the world.
OHCHR is guided in its work by the mandate provided
by the General Assembly in resolution 48/141, the Charter of the United
Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and
subsequent human rights instruments, and the 1993 Vienna Declaration and Programme of
Action . OHCHR aims to ensure
the enforcement of universally recognized human rights norms, including
through promoting both the universal ratification and implementation of
human rights treaties and respect for the rule of law.
Operationally, OHCHR works with governments,
national institutions, civil society, regional and international
organizations, and the United Nations system to develop and strengthen
capacity, particularly at the national level, for the promotion and
protection of human rights in accordance with international norms
Institutionally,
OHCHR is committed to strengthening the United Nations human rights
programme and providing the United Nations treaty monitoring bodies and
special mechanisms established by the Commission on Human Rights with the
highest quality support. OHCHR is committed to working closely with its
United Nations partners to ensure that human rights form the bedrock of
the work of the Organization. In carrying out its
responsibilities, OHCHR will:
- Give priority to
addressing the most pressing human rights problems, both acute and
chronic, with particular emphasis on those human rights violations that
put life in imminent peril;
- Ensure special
attention for those who are at risk and vulnerable on multiple fronts;
- Pay equal attention
to the realization of civil, cultural, economic, political and social
rights, including the right to development; and
- Measure the impact
of its work through the substantive benefit that is accrued, through it,
to its intended beneficiaries
Legal implication
International lawyers believe that the
Declaration forms part of customary international
law and is a powerful tool
in applying diplomatic and moral pressure to governments that violate any
of its articles. The 1968 United Nations International Conference on Human
Rights advised that it "constitutes an obligation for the members of the
international community" to all persons. The declaration has served as the
foundation for the original two legally non-binding UN human rights
covenants, the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights . It continues
to be widely cited by academics, advocates, and
constitutionalcourts.
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European
Convention On Human Rights
and its five protocols. Rome 4 November
1950
The Human
Rights act 1998 click here
The Eurpean
Court Of Human Rights- Applicants
The international human
rights movement was strengthened when the United Nations General Assembly
adopted of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on 10 December
1948. Drafted as a common standard of achievement
for all peoples and nations', the Declaration for the first time in human
history spell out basic civil, political, economic, social and cultural
rights that all human beings should enjoy. It has over time been widely
accepted as the fundamental norms of human rights that everyone should
respect and protect. The UDHR, together with the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights and its two Optional Protocols, and the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, form the
so - called International Bill of Human Rights. A series of international human rights treaties and
other instruments adopted since 1945 have conferred legal form on
inherent human rights and developed the body of international human
rights. Other instruments have been adopted at the regional level
reflecting the particular human rights concerns of the region and
providing for specific mechanisms of protection. Most States have also
adopted constitutions and other laws which formally protect basic human
rights. While international treaties and customary law form the backbone
of international human rights law other instruments, such as declarations,
guidelines and principles adopted at the international level contribute to
its understanding, implementation and development. Respect for human
rights requires the establishment of the rule of law at the national and
international levels. International human rights law lays down obligations
which States are bound to respect. By becoming parties to international
treaties, States assume obligations and duties under international law to
respect, to protect and to fulfil human rights. The obligation to respect
means that States must refrain from interfering with or curtailing the
enjoyment of human rights. The obligation to protect requires States to
protect individuals and groups against human rights abuses. The obligation
to fulfil means that States must take positive action to facilitate the
enjoyment of basic human rights. Through ratification of international human rights treaties, Governments undertake to put into place domestic
measures and legislation compatible with their treaty obligations and
duties. Where domestic legal proceedings fail to address human rights
abuses, mechanisms and procedures for individual complaints or
communications are available at the regional and international levels to
help ensure that international human rights standards are indeed
respected, implemented, and enforced at the local level.
 As
the Clinton Administration's second
term ended
in 2000, evidence of its
domestic human
rights legacy was scant.
The
country
made little progress
in
embracing international human
rights
standards
at home. Most public officials remained either unaware
of their human rights obligations
or
content to ignore
them
http://www.hrw.org/wr2k1/usa/index.html
Violence against women is one of the
most
pervasive human rights violations.
A
woman is more likely to remain in a relationship in which she is the
victim of domestic violence when the alternative is homelessness for
herself and her children. A woman will not report rape if we continue to
stigmatize the victims of violence rather than the perpetrators,” said the
High Commissioner.
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