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#intlhumanrightslaw#ballb
President Wilson in 1918 presented 14 points programme to end war and create a world
dedicated to JUSTICE and FAIR Dealing.
The War ended after the Paris Peace Conference 1919.
Treaty of Versailles 1919 created the league of Nations.
The Covenant of the LN, including amendment, 1924
Total 26 Articles
Objectives of the LN
Article 23:
Secure and maintain fair and Humane conditions of labour for men and women and
children
Just treatment
Traffic in women and children and drugs
Trade in arms
Freedom of communications and of transit and equitable treatment for the commerce
International concern for the prevention and control of disease.
Contribution of LN on Slavery
LN convinced most of the world to eradicate slavery and to halt the slave trade.
In 1924, the Council established a Temporary Slavery Commission and charged it with
studying the existence of slavery throughout the world.
This led to the promulgation of the Slavery Convention of 1926.
Franklin Roosevelt, in his 1941 State of the Union address, had stressed the importance of “four
freedoms”
UN History:
(International Peace Conference in The Hague in 1899 over 25 nations met for ten weeks to
codify the laws of war)
UN HR Mechanisms
1. Charter-based
2. Treaty-based
Article 1 (3)
respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex,
language or religion.
Article 55. Principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, the United Nations shall
promote:
higher standards of living, full employment, and conditions of economic and social
progress and development;
solutions of international economic, social, health, and related problems; and
international cultural and educational co-operation; and
universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all
without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion.
Article 56
All Members pledge themselves to take joint and separate action in cooperation with the
Organization for the achievement of the purposes set forth in Article 55.
Studies and reports with respect to international economic, social, cultural, educational,
health, and related matters
Makes recommendations to the General Assembly, to the Members of the United
Nations, and to the specialized agencies concerned.
Recommendations for the purpose of promoting respect for, and observance of, human
rights and fundamental freedoms for all.
Prepares draft conventions for submission to the General Assembly
Calls international conferences with the rules prescribed by the UN
Coordinates the activities of the specialized agencies through consultation
Takes appropriate steps to obtain regular reports from the specialized agencies.
Communicates its observations on these reports to the General Assembly.
functions as within its competence in connection with the carrying out of the
recommendations of the General Assembly.
Performs services at the request of Members of the United Nations and at the request of
specialized agencies.
The Economic and Social Council shall set up commissions in economic and social fields
and for the promotion of human rights, and such other commissions as may be required
for the performance of its functions. (Article 68)
Charter-based HR System
1946- Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
The Name and mandate was changed to COUNCIL OF HUMAN RIGHTS in 2006 by
GA Resolution)
Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.
Commission on Status of Women (CSW)
Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice,
UN specialized agencies, such ILO and WHO.
OHCHR since 1994
Role of NGOs:
The Economic and Social Council may make suitable arrangements for consultation with non-
governmental organizations which are concerned with matters within its competence. Such
arrangements may be made with international organizations and, where appropriate, with
national organizations after consultation with the Member of the United Nations concerned.
(Article 71)