Question

Briefly explain three roles that each institution of cescr plays in addressing violation of human rights?

Answer 1

Answer:

National human rights institutions can play an important role in a concerted effort to

address economic, social and cultural rights. In parallel with the increased importance

attached to these rights over the past decade, the numbers and effectiveness of national

human rights institutions have also increased. In 1991, the first United Nations international workshop of national human rights institutions was held in Paris. There, the institutions present drafted and adopted international minimum standards for effective

national human rights institutions, the Principles relating to the Status of National

Institutions, known as the “Paris Principles” (see annex). These standards were endorsed

in 1992 by the Commission on Human Rights and in 1993 by the General Assembly of

the United Nations. In the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, the World

Conference on Human Rights also reaffirmed the importance of national human rights

institutions, encouraging the enhancement of United Nations activities to assist States

at their request in the establishment and strengthening of national human rights institutions, and cooperation among national human rights institutions, regional organizations and the United Nations. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for

Human Rights has responded to that recommendation and undertaken an extensive

programme of technical assistance and cooperation. The United Nations Development

Programme, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the International Organisation of the

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1 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines civil and political rights and economic, social and

cultural rights and was intended to be the precursor to a single human rights covenant. Political, ideological

and other factors, however, precluded this and two International Covenants were eventually adopted—

nearly two decades after the promulgation of the Universal Declaration.

2 Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna,

25 June 1993 (A/CONF.157/23), Part II, para. 98.

3 Human Development Report 1994, UNDP, New York, p. 2.

Explanation: