UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF LEGAL STUDIES,

PANJAB UNIVERSITY, CHANDIGARH

INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS

Office and Functions of United Nations High Commissioner

of Human Rights

SUBMITTED BY
RANA UDESH PRATAP SINGH BHULLAR
ROLL NO 172/19
SEMESTER 9
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is the
leading United Nations entity working to strengthen the promotion and
protection of human rights around the globe. In 1993, the General Assembly of
the United Nations created it. The United Nations General Assembly elects the
47 members of the Council from among its member states.

What is the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

(OHCHR)?

Human rights are one of the three fundamental pillars of the United Nations,
along with "peace and security" and "development." The UN Human Rights
Office, also known as the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights (OHCHR), has the mandate to promote and safeguard all human rights
as defined in the UN Charter and international human rights laws and treaties.
OHCHR collaborates with various stakeholders such as governments, courts,
civil society, businesses, regional and international organizations, and the UN
system to enhance human rights protection at the national level, following
international norms. OHCHR also supports UN human rights mechanisms,
including treaty bodies and the Special Procedures of the Human Rights
Council, to monitor State Parties' compliance with core international human
rights treaties.

History

o The human rights program began as a small division at the UN

Headquarters in the 1940s. Later it was upgraded to the Centre for
Human Rights in the 1980s and was relocated to Geneva.
o The recommendation for strengthening human rights was made in the
Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, which was adopted at the
World Conference on Human Rights in 1993.
o This declaration made concrete recommendations for strengthening
and harmonizing the UN’s human rights monitoring capacity. It
argued for establishing a High Commissioner for Human Rights by
the General Assembly.
o This was subsequently created on 20 December 1993.

Establishment

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) was
formally established by the General Assembly in 1993. However, the UN’s
human rights campaign started in the 1940s as a small section at its
headquarters.

FUNCTIONS

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) is a key
figure within the United Nations system responsible for promoting and
protecting human rights around the world. The High Commissioner for Human
Rights serves as the principal advocate for human rights within the UN. The
office and functions of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights include:

Promoting Human Rights:

The High Commissioner works to raise awareness and promote human rights
standards and principles globally.

They engage with governments, civil society organizations, and other

stakeholders to encourage the adoption and implementation of human rights
norms and standards.

Monitoring and Reporting:

The High Commissioner's office monitors human rights situations and

developments worldwide.

It produces reports, research, and recommendations on human rights issues,

including annual and thematic reports.

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building:

The UNHCHR provides technical assistance and capacity-building support to

countries and governments to strengthen their human rights institutions and
practices.
This includes providing training, advisory services, and support for the
development of national human rights action plans.

Advocacy and Public Awareness:

The High Commissioner engages in advocacy efforts to highlight human rights

abuses and concerns, often speaking out on issues and situations that require
international attention.

They promote public awareness of human rights and the importance of

upholding them.

Coordinating Human Rights Activities:

The High Commissioner's office coordinates the work of various UN bodies,

agencies, and programs related to human rights.

It helps ensure a coherent and unified approach to addressing human rights

issues within the UN system.

Responding to Human Rights Crises:

The UNHCHR plays a vital role in responding to human rights crises, such as
conflicts and emergencies, by providing assistance and protection to those
affected.

The High Commissioner's office may investigate and report on human rights
violations in crisis situations.

Advocacy for Vulnerable Groups:

The High Commissioner advocates for the rights of specific vulnerable and
marginalized groups, including women, children, refugees, and minorities.

They work to ensure that the rights of these groups are respected and protected.

Human Rights Education and Training:

The UNHCHR promotes human rights education and awareness-raising
activities to empower individuals and communities to better understand and
claim their human rights.

The High Commissioner for Human Rights is appointed by the UN Secretary-

General and operates independently, reporting directly to the UN General
Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council. The office of the High
Commissioner is a critical component of the UN's efforts to uphold and advance
human rights worldwide.

Controlling Ministry and Head

o The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is appointed

by the Secretary-General of the United Nations by General Assembly
resolution 48/141 and is approved by the General Assembly,
o The High Commissioner for Human Rights post is subject to the
geographical rotation for a fixed term of four years. He may be
reappointed to the post for another term of four years.
o The current High Commissioner for Human Rights is Volker Türk of
Austria. He was appointed to the post on 17 October 2022.
o The UN Secretary-General selected him as the High Commissioner for
Human Rights.
o The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has had eight
High Commissioners in charge (OHCHR).

Budgets & Funds

o Approximately two-thirds of UN Human Rights’ income is generated

through voluntary contributions from Member States and other donors.
The UN budget covers the rest of the income.
o The General Assembly approves the UN budget, and the “assessed
contributions” from each Member State contribute to it. These are
decided by using a method that takes the size and strength into account of
their respective national economies.
o The UN management reform agenda was used to create the normal
budget for 2023, which is the organization’s fourth annual budget.
o The Office has proposed a regular budget of US$ 144.3 million for
2023, less than 4% of the UN's budget.
 o Additionally, the Executive Office of the High Commissioner, the
organization is composed of four divisions: the Treaties and Commission
Branch (TCB), the Special Procedures Branch (SPB), the Research and
Right to Development Branch (RRDB), and the Capacity Building and
Field Operations Division (CBB).

Objectives of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

The objectives of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights are
listed below:

o Protection of all human rights for all people

o Help empower people
o Aid those in charge of protecting these rights in seeing that they are
carried out.
o Assists governments in fulfilling their obligations under human rights
accords by working with them.
o Enables the naming, highlighting, and creating remedies for existing
human rights issues.
o Collaborating with various partners to broaden global support for human
rights.

Mandate for Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

The UN General Assembly has given the Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights (UN Human Rights) the responsibility of promoting and
defending all human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the
United Nations Charter, and international human rights legislation and treaties
provide a list of human rights. The mandates are as under:

o Promote and protect all human rights for all

o Recommend that bodies of the UN system improve the promotion and
protection of all human rights
o Promote and protect the right to development
o Provide technical assistance to States for human rights activities
o Coordinate UN human rights education and public information
programmes
o Work actively to remove obstacles to the realization of human rights and
to prevent the continuation of human rights violations
o Engage in dialogue with Governments in order to secure respect for all
human rights
 o Enhance international cooperation for the promotion and protection of all
human rights
o Coordinate human rights promotion and protection activities throughout
the United Nations system
o Rationalize, adapt, strengthen and streamline the UN human rights
machinery

Functions of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR) functions are as follows.

o It collaborates with governments and helps them achieve their

commitments regarding human rights.
o It speaks out firmly in opposition to abuses of human rights occurring
worldwide.
o It offers a platform for recognizing, emphasizing, and creating solutions
to current human rights concerns.
o It is the main hub for human rights advocacy, teaching, research, and
other initiatives.
o It collaborates with various partners to increase support for human rights
globally.
o It supports countries and aids them in putting into practice global human
rights norms.
o It aids other organizations with a responsibility to defend human rights.
o It encourages the formation and development of National Human Rights
Institutions (NHRIs) and works with them to carry out their
responsibilities for advancing and defending human rights.

Accomplishments of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human

Rights

The accomplishments of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human

Rights are listed below:

o The right to development and other economic, social, cultural, civic, and
political rights are recognized as universal and indivisible for all humans
without distinction.
o Equal opportunity and non-discrimination are essential components of
human dignity.
 o International law protects children, women, torture victims, people with
disabilities, and regional institutions.
o Individuals have the right to lodge complaints in case of human rights
violations.
o Victims have the right to seek justice, including in post-conflict
processes, to restore the rule of law.
o International recognition of the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals has
increased.
o Indigenous people's and minorities' challenges are increasingly
acknowledged and addressed by human rights organizations, particularly
regarding their right to non-discrimination.
o Civil society is recognized for its vital role in promoting human rights by
states and the United Nations.
o Global awareness of human rights issues has grown, leading to calls for
increased government accountability, transparency, and public
participation.
o National human rights institutions have become more autonomous and
influential in governance.
o The United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of
Slavery, through its 500 projects and victim-centered approach, provides
financial, legal, and humanitarian support to human rights victims.
o Today, victims of trafficking are viewed as individuals entitled to all
human rights rather than criminals.

High Commissioners for Human Rights

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is accountable to the
Secretary-General and oversees all activities and administration of the OHCHR.
The Commissioner performs functions assigned by the UN General Assembly's
resolutions, including resolution 48/141 from 20 December 1993 and
subsequent policy-making resolutions. The High Commissioner advises the
Secretary-General on UN human rights policies, supports human rights projects,
activities, organs, and bodies, and represents the Secretary-General at human
rights meetings and events. Furthermore, the High Commissioner advocates for
human rights yet to be recognized in international law, including economic,
social, and cultural rights.
Conclusion

Human rights are a dynamic idea and are an inherent right provided to every
individual. The protection of human rights remains the key to a healthy and
dignified life for the citizen. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights (OHCHR), mandated with the task of promoting and monitoring these
human rights violations has done wonders in ensuring that the rights are not
infringed upon and by assisting countries and civil societies it has only led to
the advancement of such rights.