United Nations Organization (UN) is one of the main international forum which aims at the protection of human rights. UN Human Rights Council assisted by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) is the UN’s principal wing concerned with the promotion and protection of human rights.
UN with its various conventions, declarations and resolutions have defined and promoted various aspects of human rights. The following are a few examples.
- Principles relating to the status of national institutions (The Paris Principles): The Paris Principles were defined at the first International Workshop on National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in Paris on 7-9 October 1991. The Paris Principles relate to the status and functioning of national institutions for protection and promotion of human rights.
- Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedom: The declaration reaffirms the importance of the observance of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations for the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons in all countries of the world. It is aimed at promoting respect and fostering knowledge of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels.
Organizations which work for promotion and protection of human rights generally look at the role played by national courts, civil society and national human rights institutions in dealing with violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
