International Machinery on Human Rights

Abstract

Human rights have long been a subject of international concern. This is constantly reaffirmed by our leaders in their pronouncements on regimes notorious for their denial of rights, such as South Africa. Human rights was high on the agenda at the recent summit between President Reagan and Mr Gorbachev. From the inception of the United Nations there has been continuous activity in drafting human rights declarations and conventions, encouraging their adoption, signature and ratification, and in overseeing their implementation. This year sees the fortieth anniversary of the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights. What I propose to do is to outline the U.N. human rights machinery, then address some of the constraints upon it, and suggest some ways to make it more effective.