International Human Rights Framework

UN System

The United Nations system for the promotion and protection of human rights consists of two main types of body: bodies created under the UN Charter, including the Commission on Human Rights, and bodies created under the international human rights treaties. Most of these bodies receive secretariat support from the Treaties and Commission Branch of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Structure of the United Nations Human Rights Bodies and Mechanisms

Source: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Charter bodies

• Human Rights Council (formerly Commission on Human Rights)

• Sub-Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

The Sub-Commission's main functions are to undertake studies on human rights issues, to make recommendations concerning the prevention of discrimination of any kind relating to human rights and fundamental freedoms and the protection of racial, national, religious and linguistic minorities, and to carry out any other functions which may be entrusted to it. In its decision 2006/102 of 30 June 2006, the Human Rights Council decided that the final session of the Sub-Commission should be convened 'starting 31 July for a period of up to four weeks, if so decided by the Sub-Commission, including its pre-sessional and in-sessional working groups'. The Council also decided that 'the working groups and the Social Forum of the Sub-Commission shall be convened to hold their annual sessions in accordance with current practices'.

• Special procedures of the Commission on Human Rights

“Special procedures” is the general name given to the mechanisms established by the Commission on Human Rights to address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. They usually examine, monitor, advise, and publicly report on human rights situations in specific countries or territories, or on major phenomena of human rights violations worldwide. Activities undertaken by special procedures include responding to individual complaints, conducting studies, providing advice on technical cooperation, and engaging in general promotional activities.

Treaty bodies

There are seven human rights treaty bodies that monitor implementation of the core international human rights treaties:

Inter-American System

• Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
  The Commission provides recourse to individuals who have suffered violations of their rights and works with states to help strengthen the laws and institutions that provide human rights protections.
• Inter-American Court of Human Rights
  The Inter-American Court of Human Rights is an autonomous judicial institution whose purpose is the application and interpretation of the American Convention on Human Rights.
• Inter-American Commission of Women
  This is the principal forum for generating hemispheric policy to advance women's rights and gender equality.
• Inter-American Children’s Institute
  This is the OAS organization charged with developing activities that contribute to the protection of children and to the improvement of their quality of life.
  Inter-American Indian Institute (III)
  The main purpose of the III is to compile scientific research, legislation, historical archives and other documents related to indigenous populations in the hemisphere.
  Inter-American Institute of Human Rights
  This is a center for teaching, research and promotion of human rights whose mission is to promote and strengthen respect for the principles set out in the American Convention on Human Rights.