UN Institutional Mechanisms to Protect Human Rights

In principle, human rights have been accorded preeminence in the UN system. The UN Charter, declares: “We the peoples of the United Nations determined... to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small... and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom”. However, despite this proclamation, real politik has often determined the direction of human rights in UN corridors and sometimes obstructed their causes. Nevertheless, the United Nations has been instrumental in developing legally-binding, universal standards in the form of treaties and associated treaty-monitoring bodies. These mechanisms are constantly evolving to better respond to violations.