The United Nations has taken several steps to foster human rights and freedom. Here are some of the ways:
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Charter Bodies and Treaty Bodies: The UN system has two main types of bodies to promote and protect human rights: Charter Bodies and Treaty Bodies. Charter Bodies are established under the UN Charter to promote human rights in all UN member states. The Human Rights Council is the principal UN Charter Body responsible for human rights.
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Human Rights Council: The Human Rights Council (HRC) was established in 2006 to review the human rights record of every UN member state once every four years and to make recommendations for promoting human rights.
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Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: The United Nations has an Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights that is mandated to promote and protect the enjoyment and full realization by all people of human rights.
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Experts and Special Rapporteurs: The United Nations may appoint experts to address a specific human rights issue.
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Human Rights Education: The United Nations has played an important role in promoting human rights education. The World Conference on Human Rights, held in Vienna in 1993, reaffirmed the essential role of human rights education, training, and public information in the promotion of human rights. In 1994, the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education was proclaimed by the General Assembly, spanning the period 1 January 1995 to 31 December 2004. The UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training was adopted in December 2011.
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Promoting Democracy: The UN supports democracy by promoting human rights, development, and peace and security.
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Investigating and Mediating: The UN Charter gives the Security Council the authority to investigate and mediate, dispatch a mission, appoint special envoys, or request the Secretary-General.
The United Nations has also reaffirmed the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on Human Rights as basic elements of international efforts to promote universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
