Human Rights Council

About the committee

The Human Rights Council was created in 2006 as a replacement for the heavily criticised Commission on Human Rights. The Council's mandate is triple tiered: to promote and protect human rights around the world; address human rights violations; and to recommend actions to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. While HRC resolutions are non-binding, they provide an important indication of Member State opinions on human rights issues and act as policy guides for other UN bodies, such as the General Assembly or the Security Council.

Topics

Topic A: The question of the rights of internally displaced people

Approximately 26 million internally displaced people exist worldwide. Yet, unlike the status that exists for refugees, there is no established legal definition to encompass their position. While the UN's Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement sets out the widely acknowledged usage of the term, its non-binding nature fails to afford necessary international legal protections. Additionally, because these persons exist within the boundaries of their nation state, they remain under the responsibility and jurisdiction of their national government, even though in many cases it may be the cause of their displacement. Currently, the role of the UN in assisting IDPs is shared between multiple bodies, with the UNHCR playing a coordinating role. Such a spread of responsibility and lack of a clear and binding UN mandate may lead to abnegation of duties and inhibit effective response, while preventing justice and recognition, and thus a clear and comprehensive agreement is necessary.

Topic B: The question of protecting human rights while confronting terrorism

The protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms while countering terrorism has long been a primary concern for the UN. In light of the events of September 11 and the global surge in terrorist activities, recognising the responsibilities of all states to uphold human rights to the highest standard has become an even more urgent issue. Such violations range from restrictions on association and expression, and ethnic and religious discrimination; to arbitrary detention and the use of torture or other forms of ill treatment. Several UN bodies have expressed concern that the countermeasures in the fight against terrorism, although of the upmost importance, may themselves infringe upon human rights. Yet the balance between effectively combatting terrorism - perhaps the ultimate violation of human rights and rule of law - and upholding exceptional human rights standards is a difficult one for states to maintain, especially when the security of civilians is at stake. Therefore constant attention and vigilance is required.