Last Updated: Wednesday, 28 December 2016, 12:49 GMT

The UN Human Rights System

Refworld documents related to human rights, including legal, policy and background information. Most of the documents included in the Refworld Country Information collection in fact relate to human rights, or violations thereof, in countries all over the world.

This "Special Feature" on human rights, however, deals specifically with the human rights mechanisms within the United Nations, and with UNHCR's involvement with the issue. It is regularly maintained and contains legal, policy and operational material.

Legal Documents Related to Human Rights

Declarations and Resolutions Related to Human Rights

UNHCR Policy Documents Related to Human Rights

UNHCR ExCom and Standing Committee

Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

The Human Rights Council was mandated, through General Assembly resolution 60/251, to "undertake a universal periodic review, based on objective and reliable information, of the fulfillment by each State of its human rights obligations and commitments in a manner which ensures universality of coverage and equal treatment with respect to all States; the review shall be a cooperative mechanism, based on an interactive dialogue, with the full involvement of the country concerned and with consideration given to its capacity-building needs; such a mechanism shall complement and not duplicate the work of treaty bodies."

United Nations Human Rights Treaty Bodies

These bodies have been created under the relevant international human rights treaties and are made up of independent experts mandated to monitor State parties' compliance with their treaty obligations.

Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council

"Special Procedures" is the general name given to the mechanisms established by the Commission on Human Rights and assumed by the Human Rights Council to address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures are either an individual -a special rapporteur or representative, or independent expert- or a working group. They are prominent, independent experts working on a voluntary basis, appointed by the Human Rights Council.

Documents Related to Human Rights

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Country-Specific Information

All reports from the Special Procedures assumed by the Human Rights Council / Country mandates:

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