Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
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Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is a central component of the United Nations Secretariat, responsible for promoting and protecting human rights globally, in close collaboration with the United Nations General Assembly, the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and the United Nations Human Rights Council. The office works closely with Amnesty International, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and other non-governmental organizations to advance the cause of human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, serves as the foundation for the office's work, which is also guided by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The office is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has offices in New York City and other locations around the world, including Addis Ababa, Beirut, and Bangkok.
● Introduction
The office is headed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, who is appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General and confirmed by the United Nations General Assembly. The current High Commissioner is Michelle Bachelet, who has previously served as the President of Chile and as the Executive Director of UN Women. The office works to promote and protect human rights through a variety of mechanisms, including human rights monitoring, technical assistance, and capacity building for national human rights institutions. The office also provides support to the United Nations Human Rights Council, which is responsible for promoting and protecting human rights through the Universal Periodic Review process and other mechanisms. The office collaborates with other United Nations agencies, such as the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Children's Fund, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to advance the cause of human rights.
● History
The office was established in 1993 by the United Nations General Assembly, which adopted Resolution 48/141 to create the position of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The first High Commissioner was José Ayala Lasso, who served from 1994 to 1997 and was succeeded by Mary Robinson, the former President of Ireland. The office has since been headed by Sérgio Vieira de Mello, Louise Arbour, Navanethem Pillay, and Zeid Raad Al Hussein, among others. The office has played a key role in promoting and protecting human rights in the aftermath of conflicts, such as the Rwandan genocide and the Bosnian War, and has worked to advance the cause of human rights in countries such as China, Russia, and the United States. The office has also worked closely with regional organizations, such as the European Union, the African Union, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, to promote and protect human rights.
● Mandate_and_Functions
The office has a broad mandate to promote and protect human rights, which includes providing technical assistance and capacity building for national human rights institutions, as well as supporting the work of special rapporteurs and independent experts. The office also works to promote and protect the rights of vulnerable groups, such as women, children, and indigenous peoples, and has played a key role in promoting the rights of LGBTI individuals and persons with disabilities. The office has also worked to advance the cause of economic, social, and cultural rights, including the right to education, the right to health, and the right to an adequate standard of living. The office collaborates with other United Nations agencies, such as the World Health Organization, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and the International Labour Organization, to advance the cause of human rights.
● Organization_and_Structure
The office is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has offices in New York City and other locations around the world. The office is organized into several divisions, including the Division of Human Rights, the Division of International Cooperation and Capacity Building, and the Division of Communications and Information. The office also has a number of field offices and regional offices, which work to promote and protect human rights in specific regions and countries. The office is supported by a team of human rights experts, including lawyers, sociologists, and economists, who work to advance the cause of human rights through a variety of mechanisms. The office also collaborates with academic institutions, such as Harvard University, Oxford University, and the University of Geneva, to advance the cause of human rights.
● Activities_and_Initiatives
The office is involved in a wide range of activities and initiatives to promote and protect human rights, including human rights monitoring, technical assistance, and capacity building for national human rights institutions. The office also provides support to the United Nations Human Rights Council, which is responsible for promoting and protecting human rights through the Universal Periodic Review process and other mechanisms. The office has also launched a number of initiatives to promote and protect the rights of vulnerable groups, such as the Free & Equal campaign to promote the rights of LGBTI individuals and the Stand Up for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities campaign to promote the rights of persons with disabilities. The office collaborates with other United Nations agencies, such as the United Nations Population Fund and the United Nations Children's Fund, to advance the cause of human rights.
● Commissioners
The office has been headed by a number of distinguished United Nations High Commissioners for Human Rights, including José Ayala Lasso, Mary Robinson, Sérgio Vieira de Mello, Louise Arbour, Navanethem Pillay, and Zeid Raad Al Hussein. The current High Commissioner is Michelle Bachelet, who has previously served as the President of Chile and as the Executive Director of UN Women. The High Commissioner is supported by a team of Deputy High Commissioners, including Kate Gilmore and Andrew Gilmour, who work to advance the cause of human rights through a variety of mechanisms. The office also collaborates with other United Nations agencies, such as the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to advance the cause of human rights. The office has also worked closely with regional organizations, such as the European Union and the African Union, to promote and protect human rights.