The General Assembly in December 1993 established the post of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights as the United Nations official with principal responsibility for United Nations human rights activities, under the direction and authority of the Secretary-General. The first High Commissioner was appointed in February 1994.
The High Commissioner is responsible for promoting and protecting the enjoyment by all of all civil, cultural, political and social rights; promoting and protecting the realization of the right to development and enhancing support from bodies of the United Nations system for that purpose; providing, through the Center for Human Rights and other institutions, advisory services and technical and financial assistance in the field of human rights; coordinating United Nations education and public information programs on human rights; helping to remove the obstacles and meet the challenges of the full realization of all human rights and preventing the continuation of human rights violations throughout the world; engaging in a dialogue with governments to secure respect for human rights; and carrying out tasks assigned to him/her by the competent bodies of the United Nations system and making recommendations to them with a view to improving the promotion and protection of all human rights.
The High Commissioner is also responsible for enhancing international cooperation for the promotion and protection of all human rights; coordinating human rights promotion and protection activities throughout the United Nations system; rationalizing, adapting, strengthening and streamlining the United Nations machinery to improve its efficiency and effectiveness; and supervising the Center for Human Rights.
Center for Human Rights
The purpose of the Center for Human Rights is to assist the organs of the United Nations in the promotion and protection of human rights, to carry out research at the request of the organs concerned, and to publish and disseminate information on human rights. The center also services several human rights bodies, including the Commission on Human Rights and the Subcommission on the Prevention of Discrimination and the Protection of Minorities.
The Center for Human Rights, located in Geneva, comprises the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights and five branches, as well as the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights. The Communications Branch processes communications concerning alleged human rights violations. The Special Procedures Branch services the investigative organs set up by human rights bodies, such as Working Groups and Special Rapporteurs, and organizes field missions. The International Instruments Branch follows the implementation of human rights treaties and conventions. The Legislation and Prevention of Discrimination Branch assists in preparing international human rights instruments and prepares studies and reports requested by the Sub-Commission. The Technical and Advisory Services Branch administers the program of advisory services and technical assistance, including the Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation and Advisory Services. In 1994, technical assistance was provided upon request to 37 countries. Field offices of the center have been established in Guatemala, Cambodia, Burundi, Croatia, Rwanda and Malawi.
From Basic Facts About the United Nations. Published by United Nations Department of Public Information. Copyright 1995 United Nations.
