The Work of the Human The Work of the Human Rights Council Rights Council

UNIT FIVEUNIT FIVE GLOBAL CLASSROOMS® GLOBAL CLASSROOMS®

HUMAN RIGHTS UNIT HUMAN RIGHTS UNIT

The UN and Human RightsThe UN and Human Rights

• Several UN organs work to uphold human Several UN organs work to uphold human rights, including:rights, including:

– The Office of the Secretary General The Office of the Secretary General

– Bodies such as UNICEF, UNIFEM, Bodies such as UNICEF, UNIFEM, UNHCR and othersUNHCR and others

– The Human Rights Council The Human Rights Council

The Human Rights CouncilThe Human Rights Council

Human Rights CouncilHuman Rights Council

• Comprised of 47 UN member states with Comprised of 47 UN member states with good human rights recordsgood human rights records

• Created by the General Assembly in 2006Created by the General Assembly in 2006

• Replaced the UN Commission on Human Replaced the UN Commission on Human RightsRights

Human Rights Council vs. Human Rights Council vs. Commission on Human Rights Commission on Human Rights

• Smaller membership, more selectiveSmaller membership, more selective

• Members require 97 votes instead of just Members require 97 votes instead of just 2828

• New universal periodic review processNew universal periodic review process

• Still suffers some of the same issuesStill suffers some of the same issues

Research for Model UNResearch for Model UN

• Look up your country’s permanent Look up your country’s permanent mission to the UN. mission to the UN.

• Find your country’s UN voting recordsFind your country’s UN voting records

• Look at the CIA World Fact book for a Look at the CIA World Fact book for a general Check out news and media general Check out news and media sources for recent developments in your sources for recent developments in your country.country.

• Read the US State Department report on Read the US State Department report on your country. your country.

The Freedom of The Freedom of Expression ControversyExpression Controversy

DiscussionDiscussion

• What is Freedom of Expression?What is Freedom of Expression?

• Why do some member states seek to limit Why do some member states seek to limit Freedom of Expression?Freedom of Expression?

• Are their actions justified? What is your Are their actions justified? What is your personal view on this issue?personal view on this issue?

Human Rights Council Human Rights Council Universal Periodic ReviewUniversal Periodic Review

1.1. UN High Commissioner compiles UN High Commissioner compiles information from UN and NGOsinformation from UN and NGOs

2.2. Country under review submits reportCountry under review submits report

3.3. Outcome document is producedOutcome document is produced

4.4. State under review respondsState under review responds

Model UN Simulation:Model UN Simulation:Universal Periodic ReviewUniversal Periodic Review

Speakers List:Speakers List:

1. 1. Fill in country namesFill in country names2. 2. 3. 3. 4. 4. 5. 5. 6. 6. 7. 7. 8. 8. 9. 9.

10.10.

Speakers List:Speakers List:

1. 1. Fill in country namesFill in country names2. 2. 3. 3. 4. 4. 5. 5. 6. 6. 7. 7. 8. 8. 9. 9.

10.10.