Enforcing human rights: the UN machinery.

• Position: United Nations; World Conference on Human Rights - Includes related information on conference participation

In spite of the many legal instruments and procedures for protecting human rights globally, violations are still widespread. To address this problem, the World Conference on Human Rights will review existing enforcement mechanisms so that the rights of peoples everywhere may be ensured.

On one hand, the United Nations can point to an active and often effective system of promotion and protection of rights. In 1990, for example, UN human rights monitors sent nearly 1,100 urgent-action cables to Governments, on behalf of individuals allegedly facing torture, arbitrary detention, or summary or arbitrary execution. At the same time, UN experts were assisting a record number of Governments in promoting human rights through new national constitutions, democratic elections and stronger institutions of justice.

But the upcoming review will inevitably highlight the system's shortcomings as well. It is woefully underfunded and understaffed. The main conventions remain unratified by scores of Member States. There is also growing concern that the existing system does not possess the necessary authority to ensure compliance or punish violators of human rights. Thus, the review may lead to concrete recommendations to strengthen the instruments and mechanisms protecting human rights.

Bodies set up under international treaties are involved in an ever-expanding range of human rights activities, monitoring compliance with conventions that ban racial discrimination and abuse of prisoners, establishing dialogues with Governments accused of violations, and providing advice and technical assistance to national human rights efforts.

The central international body promoting human rights is the Commission on Human Rights, established in 1946 under the Economic and Social Council. Its secretariat--the Geneva-based Centre for Human Rights--is also the secretariat for the World Conference.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, drafted by the Commission and adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948, recognizes as basic human rights: the right to life, liberty and personal security; equality before the law and equal protection under it; freedom of movement and residence; freedom from torture and cruel or degrading punishment; the right to seek asylum from persecution; the right to a nationality; freedom of thought, conscience and religion; the right to vote and participate in government; and the rights to an education, to work and join trade unions, and to an...