Human Rights Bodies

Mechanisms for the protection and promotion of human rights

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).

Charter bodies

  • Human Rights Council
  • Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
  • Special Procedures established by the Commission on Human Rights
  • Sub-Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

Treaty bodies

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

  • Human Rights Committee (HRC)
  • Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR)
  • Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
  • Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
  • Committee Against Torture (CAT)
  • Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
  • Committee on Migrant Workers (CMW)

Click here for a general overview of the human rights treaty bodies.

Four of the Committees (HRC, CERD, CAT and CEDAW) can, under certain conditions, receive petitions from individuals who claim that their rights under the treaties have been violated. More information.

The treaty bodies coordinate their activities through an annual meeting of chairpersons of human rights treaty bodies and through the inter-committee meeting. More information.

The treaty body are continually seeking ways to enhance their effectiveness through streamlining and harmonization of working methods and practices. More information.

Other UN human rights bodies

There are several other important United Nations bodies which are concerned with the promotion and protection of human rights. These bodies are not serviced by OHCHR and include:

  • United Nations General Assembly
  • Third Committee of the General Assembly
  • Economic and Social Council
  • International Court of Justice
  • Further information

Other UN entities involved in human rights promotion and protection

Many United Nations agencies and partners are also involved in the promotion and protection of human rights and interact with the main human rights bodies:

  • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
  • Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
  • Inter-Agency Internal Displacement Division
  • International Labour Organization
  • World Health Organization
  • United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
  • Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
  • Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC)
  • DESA (Department of Economic and Social Affairs)
  • Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
  • Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and the Advancement of Women (OSAGI)
  • Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW)
  • United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
  • United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
  • United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)
  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
  • United Nations Human Settlements Programme (HABITAT)
  • United Nations Mine Action