International Human Rights Regime Overview
The international human rights regime is a system of principles, norms and legal instruments
designed to protect human rights around the world. The regime includes international treaties,
oversight bodies, and monitoring and enforcement mechanisms that work together to ensure
that basic human rights are respected, protected and fulfilled by member states. The following
is a detailed explanation of the history, structure, functions, and challenges faced by the
international human rights regime.
History of the International Human Rights Regime
Early Period and Establishment of the UN
After the atrocities that occurred during World War II, the international community realized
the need for a stronger system to protect human rights. The creation of the United Nations
(UN) in 1945 was an important first step. The UN Charter, signed on June 26, 1945, included
a commitment to promote and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
In 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(UDHR), which sets a global standard for human rights. The Declaration, although not
legally binding, had a major influence in shaping international norms and provided the basis
for the development of later legally binding human rights instruments.
International Human Rights Conventions and Treaties
1. Over time, various legally binding international treaties have been developed to
implement the principles set out in the UDHR. Some notable treaties include:
1. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) (1966)
2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
(1966)
3. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
(1965)
4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
(CEDAW) (1979)
, 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) (1989)
6. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment (CAT) (1984)
Structure of the International Human Rights Regime
UN Human Rights Council
The UN Human Rights Council, established in 2006, replaced the old UN Human Rights
Commission. The Council is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of
human rights worldwide and addressing situations of human rights violations and making
recommendations. The Human Rights Council has a UPR (Universal Periodic Review)
mechanism, where each UN member state is periodically evaluated on their human rights
record.
Treaty Committees and Bodies
Each major human rights treaty has an oversight committee tasked with monitoring the
implementation of the treaty by member states. Examples of these committees include:
1. Human Rights Committee for the ICCPR
2. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for the ICESCR
3. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination for CERD
4. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women for CEDAW
5. Committee on the Rights of the Child for CRC
6. Committee against Torture for CAT
These committees review periodic reports submitted by states parties and may provide
recommendations and general comments on the implementation of treaties.
Regional Human Rights Courts
In addition to the UN system, there are also regional mechanisms for the protection of human
rights, including:
1. European Court of Human Rights under the European Convention on Human
Rights
The international human rights regime is a system of principles, norms and legal instruments
designed to protect human rights around the world. The regime includes international treaties,
oversight bodies, and monitoring and enforcement mechanisms that work together to ensure
that basic human rights are respected, protected and fulfilled by member states. The following
is a detailed explanation of the history, structure, functions, and challenges faced by the
international human rights regime.
History of the International Human Rights Regime
Early Period and Establishment of the UN
After the atrocities that occurred during World War II, the international community realized
the need for a stronger system to protect human rights. The creation of the United Nations
(UN) in 1945 was an important first step. The UN Charter, signed on June 26, 1945, included
a commitment to promote and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
In 1948, the UN General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(UDHR), which sets a global standard for human rights. The Declaration, although not
legally binding, had a major influence in shaping international norms and provided the basis
for the development of later legally binding human rights instruments.
International Human Rights Conventions and Treaties
1. Over time, various legally binding international treaties have been developed to
implement the principles set out in the UDHR. Some notable treaties include:
1. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) (1966)
2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
(1966)
3. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
(1965)
4. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
(CEDAW) (1979)
, 5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) (1989)
6. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment (CAT) (1984)
Structure of the International Human Rights Regime
UN Human Rights Council
The UN Human Rights Council, established in 2006, replaced the old UN Human Rights
Commission. The Council is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of
human rights worldwide and addressing situations of human rights violations and making
recommendations. The Human Rights Council has a UPR (Universal Periodic Review)
mechanism, where each UN member state is periodically evaluated on their human rights
record.
Treaty Committees and Bodies
Each major human rights treaty has an oversight committee tasked with monitoring the
implementation of the treaty by member states. Examples of these committees include:
1. Human Rights Committee for the ICCPR
2. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for the ICESCR
3. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination for CERD
4. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women for CEDAW
5. Committee on the Rights of the Child for CRC
6. Committee against Torture for CAT
These committees review periodic reports submitted by states parties and may provide
recommendations and general comments on the implementation of treaties.
Regional Human Rights Courts
In addition to the UN system, there are also regional mechanisms for the protection of human
rights, including:
1. European Court of Human Rights under the European Convention on Human
Rights
