The following clips focus on the United Nations human rights system. The various organs, and subsidiary organs, of the United Nations are examined through interviews with leading practitioners.
The 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights
Youth for Human Rights International has created television commericals for each of the thirty human rights enumerated in the Universial Declaration. Visit their website to see each of those videos.
Treaty-Based System -- Human Rights Committee
In a 2005 interview, Thomas Buergenthal, Judge of the International Court of Justice introduces the Treaty-based system of human rights protection of the United Nations.
Judge Buergenthal then speaks about his time as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, the treaty monitoring body of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, how it functions, and the manner in which a meetings transpire.
Treaty-Based System -- CERD
Professor Linos-Alexander Sicilianos of the University of Athens and Vice-Chair (2004-2006) of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) considers the functioning of the Treaty-based system, the commonalities amongst the Treaty Bodies, the powers of these committees including General Comments and Individual Communications, and the role which NGOs and National Human Rights Institutions play within the system.
Professor Sicilianos then turns to consider issues related to the CERD Convention, including the obligations of the State and the rights of individuals; and the Committee: how often and where it meets, and issues of harmonisation and follow-up procedures.
Finally, Professor Sicilianos considers proposals to reforming the Treaty-based system put forward in 2006.
National Human Rights Institutions
Professor Brice Dickson, the first person to head the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission established under the Good Friday Agreement, speaks of his time as Chief Commissioner and explains what a typical day at the Commission might be.
Professor Dickson then considers National Human Rights Institutions, their history, their interaction with United Nations and their underlying principles (independence, impartiality, accountability, and transparency). He goes on to speak about the manner in which these Institutions utilise United Nations norms at the domestic level.
Former Charter-Based System (1945-2006)
In this 2004 interview, Professor David Weissbrodt, Chairperson (2001-2002) and member of the United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (1996-2003) introduces what is now the former UN Charter-based system of human rights protection.
Professor Weissbrodt also considers the role of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and explains what transpired during its annual meetings, including discussion of the 1503 and 1235 Procedures.
Finally, Professor Weissbrodt introduces the University of Minnesota Human Rights Library which holds the largest selection of instruments and materials related in international human rights law on the internet.
Links
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Treaty-Based System -- Database
Charter-Based System -- Database
"The Contribution of Human Rights Commissions to the Protection of Human Rights" by Professor Brice Dickson.
See also:
University of Minnesota Human Rights Library
University of Minnesota Human Rights Library: UN Human Rights System