Summary of Core UN Instruments

Below you will find a short summary of the content of the core UN Human Rights Instruments. Click in the list to get the summary of a particular instrument:

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
ICESCR

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966)
ICCPR International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966)
CAT Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984)
CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979)
Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women
ICERD

International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1966)
CRC
ICPRMW International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (1990)
Slavery Convention
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
 


Visit the OHCHR web site for a full list of instruments

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights consists of a Preamble and 30 articles, setting out the human rights and fundamental freedoms to which all men and women are entitled, without distinction of any kind. The Universal Declaration recognizes that the inherent dignity of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

The Declaration recognizes fundamental rights which are the inherent rights of every human being including, inter alia:
  • The right to life, liberty and security of person
  • The right to an education.
  • The right to participate fully in cultural life
  • Freedom from torture or cruel, inhumane treatment or punishment;
  • The right to seek and enjoy asylum from persecution in other countries
  • Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
  • Freedom of expression and opinion.

These inherent rights are to be enjoyed by every man, woman and child throughout the world, as well as by all groups in society. Today, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is widely regarded as forming part of customary international law.

Full text of the Declaration

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966)

One of the two legally-binding human rights Covenants (the other is the ICCPR) which provided legal backing to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This Covenant (often called the ICESCR) was signed in 1966 but took an entire decade to come into force. It contains 30 articles.
The Preamble - or introduction - lists some of the principles upon which the Covenant is based:
  • Human beings can only enjoy freedom from fear if their economic, social and cultural (as well as civil and political) rights are respected
  • Individuals have duties towards each other and towards the communities to which they belong
The Covenant begins by reiterating some of mankind's basic rights. All peoples have the right to:
  • Self-determination
  • Freely determine their political status and pursue development
  • Freely dispose of their wealth and resources
The Covenant also grants citizens the right to:
  • Work. This includes a state obligation to run technical and vocational training programmes
  • Receive adequately remuneration, work in a safe and healthy environment, and get reasonable periods of rest and holiday
  • Form or join a trade union. Trade unions may establish national federations or join international networks
  • Strike or protest, provided they do so in conformity of the law
  • An adequate standard of living, including food, clothing, and housing. States must improve methods of production of food, and ensure freedom from hunger for all their citizens
  • Establish a family and marry. Mothers should be given paid leave following childbirth; children are to be protected from exploitation. Child labour is to be prohibited
  • Physical and mental health. States must endeavour to reduce the infant mortality rate, improve hygiene standards, and seek to prevent, treat and control all illness, disease or epidemics
  • Education. Primary education is to be compulsory and free to all; secondary education to be made generally accessible to all; higher education to be made equally available. The State must intensify fundamental education for those who have not received primary education
  • Take part in cultural life, enjoy scientific progress and have any scientific, literary or artistic production of theirs protected by law.

Full text of Covenant

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966)

The ICCPR (as this Covenant is often referred to) is the second of the two International Covenants. Dealing, as its name suggests, with civil and political rights, it was given more importance by the UN than its sister Covenant (the ICESCR). Its 53 articles (compared to the ICESCR) attest to this.

The Preamble - or introduction - lists some of the principles upon which the Covenant is based:
  • Human beings can only enjoy freedom from fear and want if their civil and political (as well as economic, social and cultural) rights are respected
  • Individuals have duties towards each other and towards the communities to which they belong
The Covenant begins by reiterating some of mankind’s basic rights. All peoples have the right to:
  • Self-determination
  • Freely determine their political status and pursue development
  • Freely dispose of their wealth and resources
  • Life. The death penalty may only be imposed for the most serious crimes, and those sentenced to death have the right to seek pardon. Pregnant women, as well as those under 18, cannot be put to death
  • Liberty and security of person. No one can be arbitrarily arrested or detained
  • Humane and respectful treatment while in detention
  • Liberty of movement and freedom to choose their place of residence
  • Equality before courts of law, and fair, impartial and public hearings. Everyone charged with a crime is to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. They must be tried without delay, have their crime explained to them in a language they understand, be granted legal aid and be allowed time to prepare their defence. No one can be tried twice for the same crime.
  • Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
  • Freedom of expression and freedom of association
  • Assembly peacefully
  • Marry and freely establish a family
  • Children have the right to acquire a nationality and be registered immediately after birth
  • Vote and be elected. Voting must be secret and universal
  • It outlaws any form of slavery or servitude, as well as any torture, inhuman or degrading treatment
  • Aliens who are to be deported are granted the right to argue their case against the decision
  • Ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities are guaranteed equality.
The Covenant also established a Human Rights Committee. The Committee's functions are to:
  • Request reports from any of the State parties whenever it deems this necessary
  • Receive and investigate complaints by a State that another State has committed or failed to punish breaches of the Covenant.
  • Mediate the dispute and help seek an amicable solution. If a satisfactory solution is not found, the Committee may establish a temporary Commission to act as a final mediator.

Full text of Covenant

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984)

 
The sequel to the 1975 Declaration, this Convention is legally-binding upon its signatories (unlike its predecessor, which was a declaration of intent). To date, 140 states have ratified the Convention. More complex than the 1975 Declaration, it contains 33 articles.
The Preamble - or introduction - lists some of the principles upon which the Convention is based:
  • Human rights are inalienable and universal, and are the foundation of freedom, justice and peace
  • Human rights grow out of the dignity of each individual person
  • States are obliged to promote the universal respect of human rights
The Convention summarised
The Convention defines torture as any act by which severe pain or suffering - physical or mental - is intentionally inflicted on a person for reasons of:
  • Obtaining information
  • Punishment
  • Intimidation
  • Discrimination
It calls on all states to:
  • Take effective measures to prevent torture
  • Refrain from extraditing a person to a state where it is believed they may be tortured
  • Criminalise torture within domestic legislation
  • Promptly and impartially investigate allegations that acts of torture have been committed within their territory
  • Ensure that victims of torture obtain redress and fair, adequate compensation
  • Disregard any statements obtained through torture as evidence during court proceedings
The Convention also calls for the establishment of a Committee against Torture. This Committee will:
  • Investigate allegations of systematic torture within a state party
  • Receive complaints from a state party about torture being committed by another state party
  • Submit a report on each of its investigations
  • Receive petitions from individuals who claim to be victims of torture. The individual must however be a national of a state party to the Convention, as must the state alleged to have committed the torture. Furthermore, the individual must have exhausted all available domestic remedies prior to bringing the matter to the Committee’s attention.
  • Submit an annual report on its activities to the UN General Assembly

Full text of the Convention

 Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979)
 
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is often described as an international bill of rights for women. Consisting of a preamble and 30 articles, it defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination.
The Preamble - or introduction - lists some of the principles upon which the Convention is based:
  • Equality of men and women is fundamental human right;
  • Discrimination against women violates the principles of equality of rights and respect for human dignity;
  • The full and complete development of a country, the welfare of the world and the cause of peace require the maximum participation of women on equal terms with men in all fields;
  • Extensive discrimination against women continues to exist;
  • A change in the traditional role of men as well as the role of women in society and in the family is needed to achieve full equality between men and women.
The Convention defines discrimination against women as "...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field."

By accepting the Convention, States commit themselves to undertake a series of measures to end discrimination against women in all forms, including:
  • To incorporate the principle of equality of men and women in their legal system;
  • Abolish all discriminatory laws;
  • Adopt appropriate ones prohibiting discrimination against women;
  • To ensure elimination of all acts of discrimination against women by persons, organizations or enterprises;
  • Ensure the full development and advancement of women ;
  • Suppress all forms of traffic in women and exploitation of prostitution of women;
  • Accord to women equality with men before the law, and a legal capacity identical to that of men.
The Covenant begins by reiterating some of women’s basic rights. All women have the right to:
  • Vote and be eligible ;
  • Participate in the formulation of government policy and to hold public office;
  • Have access to Education;
  • Work and have the right to social security;
  • The right to protection of health.
The Convention also calls for the establishment of a Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. This Committee will:
  • Request a report from the Member States on the measures which they have adopted to apply the Convention and on the progress made, every 4 years;
  • Meet annually in order to consider the reports submitted make suggestions and general recommendations.

Full text of the Convention

 Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (1993)
 
This was adopted by the UN General Assembly on the 20th December 1993 without a vote. It is essentially a vote of confidence in the legally-binding Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
The Preamble - or introduction - lists some of the principles upon which the Declaration is based:
  • The urgent need for gender equality in all aspects of human life
  • The obstacle to development, peace and equality posed by violence against women
  • Violence against women goes against their rights and fundamental freedoms
  • The long-standing failure to protect women from violence
  • That violence against women is the manifestation of the unequal power relations between men and women, and that this has led to women being unable to fully develop their potential
  • The vulnerability to violence of certain groups of women, such as refugee, migrant, destitute, disabled, indigenous and elderly women
  • Women's movements play an increasingly important role in drawing attention to violence against women
  • The limited opportunities granted to women to achieve legal, social, political and economic equality
The Declaration defines 'violence against women' as any act of gender-based violence that results, or is likely to result, in physical, sexual or psychological harm. Threats and coercion also fall within this definition, regardless of whether they occur in public or private life.
The Declaration lists some examples of violence against women, citing:
  • Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring within the family. This includes sexual abuse of female children, battery, rape and genital mutilation
  • Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring within the general community, including the above examples, as well as sexual intimidation and harassment, and forced prostitution
  • Physical, sexual and psychological violence condoned or perpetuated by the state
Women are entitled to the enjoyment and protection of all fundamental human rights and freedoms.
The Declaration lists a number of state responsibilities in this regard. States must:
  • Condemn violence against women and not avoid their responsibilities towards women for any reason whatsoever
  • Prevent, investigate and punish any such violence
  • Provide female victims of such violence with appropriate means of redress
  • Develop measures and policies that promote women and protect them from violence
  • Include resources for combating violence against women in their annual budgets
  • Strive, especially through education, to eliminate gender prejudice and any customs which stem from unequal power relations
  • Facilitate, encourage and enhance the work of the women’s movement and NGOs
The various organs of the United Nations are also called to contribute. They ought to:
  • Foster international cooperation in order to eliminate violence against women
  • Promote meetings and campaigns which raise awareness regarding the issue
  • Include information on trends in violence against women within UN reports which deal with social matters

Full text of the Declaration

 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1966)
 
A hugely important human rights text, it cemented the notion of human rights as being Universal for good. The Convention is quite lengthy, divided into 3 parts and 25 articles.
The Preamble - or introduction - lists some of the principles upon which the Convention is based:
  • Human beings are born free and equal, without distinction as to their race, sex, language or religion
  • Human beings are equal before the law, and entitled to equal protection by it
  • The scientific falsity, unjust and dangerous nature of any doctrine of superiority which is based upon racial differentiation
  • That racial discrimination is still in evidence, both on an individual level as well as within institutionalised government policy
The Convention itself lists a number of responsibilities which States must take upon themselves:
  • Prevent, condemn, prosecute and punish any form of racial discrimination
  • Protect vulnerable racial groups within its territory
  • Declare groups which promote racial discrimination illegal, and prosecute any such activity
  • Ensure that all of its citizens enjoy the right to equal treatment before the law, as well as all their political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights
  • Allow victims of racial discrimination the right to recourse, with a fair trial and adequate reparation for any damage suffered
  • Undertake measures, especially within the education sector, to combat racial prejudices
The Convention also established a Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Committee's functions are to:
  • Consider bi-annual reports submitted to it by the State parties
  • Investigate any allegations of racial discrimination made to it by a State or UN body regarding another State
  • Report to the UN Secretary-General on an annual basis about its investigations, as well as about the general global situation with regard to racial discrimination

Full text of the Convention

 Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)
 
Both the League of Nations and the United Nations had previously adopted declarations on the rights of the child and specific provisions concerning children were incorporated into a number of human rights and humanitarian treaties. In recent years, reports of the grave afflictions suffered by children such as infant mortality, deficient health care and limited opportunities for basic education, as well as alarming accounts of child exploitation, prostitution, child labour and victims of armed conflict, led many worldwide to call on the United Nations to codify children’s rights in a comprehensive and binding treaty. The Convention entered into force on 2 September 1990, within a year of its unanimous adoption by the General Assembly.

The Preamble - or introduction - lists some of the principles upon which the Convention is based:
  • The recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world;
  • Childhood is entitled to special care and assistance;
  • The family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members and particularly children, should be afforded the necessary protection and assistance;
  • In all countries in the world, there are children living in exceptionally difficult conditions, and such children need special consideration;
  • Importance of international co-operation for improving the living conditions of children in every country, in particular in the developing countries.
The Convention defines children as “every human being below the age of eighteen years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.”
The Convention embodies four general principles for guiding implementation of the rights of the child:
  • Non-discrimination ensuring equality of opportunity;
  • When the authorities of a State take decisions which affect children they must give prime consideration to the best interests of the child;
  • The right to life, survival and development which includes physical, mental, emotional, cognitive, social and cultural development;
  • Children should be free to express their opinions, and such views should be given due weight taking the age and maturity of the child into consideration.
Among other provisions of the Convention, States parties agree that children’s rights include:
  • Free and compulsory primary education;
  • Protection from economic exploitation, sexual abuse and protection from physical and mental harm and neglect;
  • The right of the disabled child to special treatment and education;
  • Protection of children affected by armed conflict; child prostitution; and child pornography.
Under article 43 of the Convention, the Committee on the Rights of the Child was established to monitor the implementation of the Convention by States parties. As at March 2000, an unprecedented 191 States were parties to the Convention: the largest number of ratifications of all international instruments.
 

Full text of the Convention

 

Summary of Core UN Instruments

Below you will find a short summary of the content of the core UN Human Rights Instruments. Click in the list to get the summary of a particular instrument:

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
ICESCR

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966)
ICCPR International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966)
CAT Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984)
CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979)
Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women
ICERD

International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1966)
CRC
ICPRMW International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (1990)
Slavery Convention
Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide
 


Visit the OHCHR web site for a full list of instruments

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights consists of a Preamble and 30 articles, setting out the human rights and fundamental freedoms to which all men and women are entitled, without distinction of any kind. The Universal Declaration recognizes that the inherent dignity of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

The Declaration recognizes fundamental rights which are the inherent rights of every human being including, inter alia:
  • The right to life, liberty and security of person
  • The right to an education.
  • The right to participate fully in cultural life
  • Freedom from torture or cruel, inhumane treatment or punishment;
  • The right to seek and enjoy asylum from persecution in other countries
  • Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
  • Freedom of expression and opinion.

These inherent rights are to be enjoyed by every man, woman and child throughout the world, as well as by all groups in society. Today, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is widely regarded as forming part of customary international law.

Full text of the Declaration

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966)

One of the two legally-binding human rights Covenants (the other is the ICCPR) which provided legal backing to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This Covenant (often called the ICESCR) was signed in 1966 but took an entire decade to come into force. It contains 30 articles.
The Preamble - or introduction - lists some of the principles upon which the Covenant is based:
  • Human beings can only enjoy freedom from fear if their economic, social and cultural (as well as civil and political) rights are respected
  • Individuals have duties towards each other and towards the communities to which they belong
The Covenant begins by reiterating some of mankind's basic rights. All peoples have the right to:
  • Self-determination
  • Freely determine their political status and pursue development
  • Freely dispose of their wealth and resources
The Covenant also grants citizens the right to:
  • Work. This includes a state obligation to run technical and vocational training programmes
  • Receive adequately remuneration, work in a safe and healthy environment, and get reasonable periods of rest and holiday
  • Form or join a trade union. Trade unions may establish national federations or join international networks
  • Strike or protest, provided they do so in conformity of the law
  • An adequate standard of living, including food, clothing, and housing. States must improve methods of production of food, and ensure freedom from hunger for all their citizens
  • Establish a family and marry. Mothers should be given paid leave following childbirth; children are to be protected from exploitation. Child labour is to be prohibited
  • Physical and mental health. States must endeavour to reduce the infant mortality rate, improve hygiene standards, and seek to prevent, treat and control all illness, disease or epidemics
  • Education. Primary education is to be compulsory and free to all; secondary education to be made generally accessible to all; higher education to be made equally available. The State must intensify fundamental education for those who have not received primary education
  • Take part in cultural life, enjoy scientific progress and have any scientific, literary or artistic production of theirs protected by law.

Full text of Covenant

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966)

The ICCPR (as this Covenant is often referred to) is the second of the two International Covenants. Dealing, as its name suggests, with civil and political rights, it was given more importance by the UN than its sister Covenant (the ICESCR). Its 53 articles (compared to the ICESCR) attest to this.

The Preamble - or introduction - lists some of the principles upon which the Covenant is based:
  • Human beings can only enjoy freedom from fear and want if their civil and political (as well as economic, social and cultural) rights are respected
  • Individuals have duties towards each other and towards the communities to which they belong
The Covenant begins by reiterating some of mankind’s basic rights. All peoples have the right to:
  • Self-determination
  • Freely determine their political status and pursue development
  • Freely dispose of their wealth and resources
  • Life. The death penalty may only be imposed for the most serious crimes, and those sentenced to death have the right to seek pardon. Pregnant women, as well as those under 18, cannot be put to death
  • Liberty and security of person. No one can be arbitrarily arrested or detained
  • Humane and respectful treatment while in detention
  • Liberty of movement and freedom to choose their place of residence
  • Equality before courts of law, and fair, impartial and public hearings. Everyone charged with a crime is to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. They must be tried without delay, have their crime explained to them in a language they understand, be granted legal aid and be allowed time to prepare their defence. No one can be tried twice for the same crime.
  • Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
  • Freedom of expression and freedom of association
  • Assembly peacefully
  • Marry and freely establish a family
  • Children have the right to acquire a nationality and be registered immediately after birth
  • Vote and be elected. Voting must be secret and universal
  • It outlaws any form of slavery or servitude, as well as any torture, inhuman or degrading treatment
  • Aliens who are to be deported are granted the right to argue their case against the decision
  • Ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities are guaranteed equality.
The Covenant also established a Human Rights Committee. The Committee's functions are to:
  • Request reports from any of the State parties whenever it deems this necessary
  • Receive and investigate complaints by a State that another State has committed or failed to punish breaches of the Covenant.
  • Mediate the dispute and help seek an amicable solution. If a satisfactory solution is not found, the Committee may establish a temporary Commission to act as a final mediator.

Full text of Covenant

Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984)

 
The sequel to the 1975 Declaration, this Convention is legally-binding upon its signatories (unlike its predecessor, which was a declaration of intent). To date, 140 states have ratified the Convention. More complex than the 1975 Declaration, it contains 33 articles.
The Preamble - or introduction - lists some of the principles upon which the Convention is based:
  • Human rights are inalienable and universal, and are the foundation of freedom, justice and peace
  • Human rights grow out of the dignity of each individual person
  • States are obliged to promote the universal respect of human rights
The Convention summarised
The Convention defines torture as any act by which severe pain or suffering - physical or mental - is intentionally inflicted on a person for reasons of:
  • Obtaining information
  • Punishment
  • Intimidation
  • Discrimination
It calls on all states to:
  • Take effective measures to prevent torture
  • Refrain from extraditing a person to a state where it is believed they may be tortured
  • Criminalise torture within domestic legislation
  • Promptly and impartially investigate allegations that acts of torture have been committed within their territory
  • Ensure that victims of torture obtain redress and fair, adequate compensation
  • Disregard any statements obtained through torture as evidence during court proceedings
The Convention also calls for the establishment of a Committee against Torture. This Committee will:
  • Investigate allegations of systematic torture within a state party
  • Receive complaints from a state party about torture being committed by another state party
  • Submit a report on each of its investigations
  • Receive petitions from individuals who claim to be victims of torture. The individual must however be a national of a state party to the Convention, as must the state alleged to have committed the torture. Furthermore, the individual must have exhausted all available domestic remedies prior to bringing the matter to the Committee’s attention.
  • Submit an annual report on its activities to the UN General Assembly

Full text of the Convention

 Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979)
 
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is often described as an international bill of rights for women. Consisting of a preamble and 30 articles, it defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination.
The Preamble - or introduction - lists some of the principles upon which the Convention is based:
  • Equality of men and women is fundamental human right;
  • Discrimination against women violates the principles of equality of rights and respect for human dignity;
  • The full and complete development of a country, the welfare of the world and the cause of peace require the maximum participation of women on equal terms with men in all fields;
  • Extensive discrimination against women continues to exist;
  • A change in the traditional role of men as well as the role of women in society and in the family is needed to achieve full equality between men and women.
The Convention defines discrimination against women as "...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field."

By accepting the Convention, States commit themselves to undertake a series of measures to end discrimination against women in all forms, including:
  • To incorporate the principle of equality of men and women in their legal system;
  • Abolish all discriminatory laws;
  • Adopt appropriate ones prohibiting discrimination against women;
  • To ensure elimination of all acts of discrimination against women by persons, organizations or enterprises;
  • Ensure the full development and advancement of women ;
  • Suppress all forms of traffic in women and exploitation of prostitution of women;
  • Accord to women equality with men before the law, and a legal capacity identical to that of men.
The Covenant begins by reiterating some of women’s basic rights. All women have the right to:
  • Vote and be eligible ;
  • Participate in the formulation of government policy and to hold public office;
  • Have access to Education;
  • Work and have the right to social security;
  • The right to protection of health.
The Convention also calls for the establishment of a Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. This Committee will:
  • Request a report from the Member States on the measures which they have adopted to apply the Convention and on the progress made, every 4 years;
  • Meet annually in order to consider the reports submitted make suggestions and general recommendations.

Full text of the Convention

 Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (1993)
 
This was adopted by the UN General Assembly on the 20th December 1993 without a vote. It is essentially a vote of confidence in the legally-binding Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
The Preamble - or introduction - lists some of the principles upon which the Declaration is based:
  • The urgent need for gender equality in all aspects of human life
  • The obstacle to development, peace and equality posed by violence against women
  • Violence against women goes against their rights and fundamental freedoms
  • The long-standing failure to protect women from violence
  • That violence against women is the manifestation of the unequal power relations between men and women, and that this has led to women being unable to fully develop their potential
  • The vulnerability to violence of certain groups of women, such as refugee, migrant, destitute, disabled, indigenous and elderly women
  • Women's movements play an increasingly important role in drawing attention to violence against women
  • The limited opportunities granted to women to achieve legal, social, political and economic equality
The Declaration defines 'violence against women' as any act of gender-based violence that results, or is likely to result, in physical, sexual or psychological harm. Threats and coercion also fall within this definition, regardless of whether they occur in public or private life.
The Declaration lists some examples of violence against women, citing:
  • Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring within the family. This includes sexual abuse of female children, battery, rape and genital mutilation
  • Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring within the general community, including the above examples, as well as sexual intimidation and harassment, and forced prostitution
  • Physical, sexual and psychological violence condoned or perpetuated by the state
Women are entitled to the enjoyment and protection of all fundamental human rights and freedoms.
The Declaration lists a number of state responsibilities in this regard. States must:
  • Condemn violence against women and not avoid their responsibilities towards women for any reason whatsoever
  • Prevent, investigate and punish any such violence
  • Provide female victims of such violence with appropriate means of redress
  • Develop measures and policies that promote women and protect them from violence
  • Include resources for combating violence against women in their annual budgets
  • Strive, especially through education, to eliminate gender prejudice and any customs which stem from unequal power relations
  • Facilitate, encourage and enhance the work of the women’s movement and NGOs
The various organs of the United Nations are also called to contribute. They ought to:
  • Foster international cooperation in order to eliminate violence against women
  • Promote meetings and campaigns which raise awareness regarding the issue
  • Include information on trends in violence against women within UN reports which deal with social matters

Full text of the Declaration

 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1966)
 
A hugely important human rights text, it cemented the notion of human rights as being Universal for good. The Convention is quite lengthy, divided into 3 parts and 25 articles.
The Preamble - or introduction - lists some of the principles upon which the Convention is based:
  • Human beings are born free and equal, without distinction as to their race, sex, language or religion
  • Human beings are equal before the law, and entitled to equal protection by it
  • The scientific falsity, unjust and dangerous nature of any doctrine of superiority which is based upon racial differentiation
  • That racial discrimination is still in evidence, both on an individual level as well as within institutionalised government policy
The Convention itself lists a number of responsibilities which States must take upon themselves:
  • Prevent, condemn, prosecute and punish any form of racial discrimination
  • Protect vulnerable racial groups within its territory
  • Declare groups which promote racial discrimination illegal, and prosecute any such activity
  • Ensure that all of its citizens enjoy the right to equal treatment before the law, as well as all their political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights
  • Allow victims of racial discrimination the right to recourse, with a fair trial and adequate reparation for any damage suffered
  • Undertake measures, especially within the education sector, to combat racial prejudices
The Convention also established a Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Committee's functions are to:
  • Consider bi-annual reports submitted to it by the State parties
  • Investigate any allegations of racial discrimination made to it by a State or UN body regarding another State
  • Report to the UN Secretary-General on an annual basis about its investigations, as well as about the general global situation with regard to racial discrimination

Full text of the Convention

 Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)
 
Both the League of Nations and the United Nations had previously adopted declarations on the rights of the child and specific provisions concerning children were incorporated into a number of human rights and humanitarian treaties. In recent years, reports of the grave afflictions suffered by children such as infant mortality, deficient health care and limited opportunities for basic education, as well as alarming accounts of child exploitation, prostitution, child labour and victims of armed conflict, led many worldwide to call on the United Nations to codify children’s rights in a comprehensive and binding treaty. The Convention entered into force on 2 September 1990, within a year of its unanimous adoption by the General Assembly.

The Preamble - or introduction - lists some of the principles upon which the Convention is based:
  • The recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world;
  • Childhood is entitled to special care and assistance;
  • The family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members and particularly children, should be afforded the necessary protection and assistance;
  • In all countries in the world, there are children living in exceptionally difficult conditions, and such children need special consideration;
  • Importance of international co-operation for improving the living conditions of children in every country, in particular in the developing countries.
The Convention defines children as “every human being below the age of eighteen years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.”
The Convention embodies four general principles for guiding implementation of the rights of the child:
  • Non-discrimination ensuring equality of opportunity;
  • When the authorities of a State take decisions which affect children they must give prime consideration to the best interests of the child;
  • The right to life, survival and development which includes physical, mental, emotional, cognitive, social and cultural development;
  • Children should be free to express their opinions, and such views should be given due weight taking the age and maturity of the child into consideration.
Among other provisions of the Convention, States parties agree that children’s rights include:
  • Free and compulsory primary education;
  • Protection from economic exploitation, sexual abuse and protection from physical and mental harm and neglect;
  • The right of the disabled child to special treatment and education;
  • Protection of children affected by armed conflict; child prostitution; and child pornography.
Under article 43 of the Convention, the Committee on the Rights of the Child was established to monitor the implementation of the Convention by States parties. As at March 2000, an unprecedented 191 States were parties to the Convention: the largest number of ratifications of all international instruments.
 

Full text of the Convention

 

International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (1990)

Throughout history, people have moved across borders for a variety of reasons, including armed conflict, persecution or poverty. Millions of people are living as migrant workers, as strangers in the States in which they reside. Unfortunately, as aliens, they may be targets of suspicion or hostility and this inability to integrate into society often places them among the most disadvantaged groups in the host State. A vast number of migrant workers are uninformed and ill-prepared to cope with life and work in a foreign country. Concern for the rights and welfare of migrant workers led to the adoption of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. The Convention was adopted by the General Assembly on 18 December 1990 and will enter into force following ratification or accession by 20 States. As at March 2000, only 12 States had ratified the Convention.

The Preamble - or introduction - lists some of the principles upon which the Convention is based:
  • Importance and extent of the migration phenomenon, which involves millions of people and affects a large number of States in the international community;
  • The awareness of the impact of the flows of migrant workers on States and people concerned, and the desire to establish norms which may contribute to the harmonization of the attitudes of States through the acceptance of basic principles concerning the treatment of migrant workers and members of their families;
  • The situation of vulnerability in which migrant workers and members of their families frequently-find themselves;
  • Recourse to the employment of migrant workers who are in an irregular situation will be discouraged if the fundamental human rights of all migrant workers are more widely recognized.
The Convention stipulates that persons who are considered as migrant workers are entitled to enjoy their human rights throughout the migration process, including:
  • Preparation for migration;
  • Transit;
  • Stay and return to their State of origin or habitual residence.
With regard to working conditions, migrant workers are entitled to conditions equivalent to those extended to nationals of the host States, including the right to:
  • Join trade unions;
  • Social security;
  • Emergency health care.
State parties are obliged to:
  • Establish policies on migration,
  • Exchange information with employers;
  • Provide assistance to migrant workers and their families.
Similarly, the Convention stipulates that migrant workers and their families are obliged to comply with the law of the host State.
The Convention distinguishes between legal and illegal migrant workers. It does not require that equal treatment be extended to illegal workers but rather aims to eliminate illegal or clandestine movements and employment of migrant workers in an irregular situation.

Full text of the Convention

 

Slavery Convention (1926) 

One of the oldest key human rights texts, the Slavery Convention originally contained 12 articles. A Protocol in 1953 adapted the Convention to the United Nations, without altering any of the original text pertaining to slavery. The Convention does not contain a Preamble - a sign of its age. Practically every state in the world has ratified the Convention, either in its original or amended form - China being the notable exception.
Slavery is defined as the condition in which a person is effectively 'owned' by another. The slave trade includes every act of trade or transport in slaves, including the acquisition, exchange, or disposal of a person for purposes of slavery.

The Convention states that States must

  • Prevent and suppress the slave trade
  • Bring about the complete abolition of slavery
  • Prevent the transport of slaves within their territorial waters, and suppress ships engaged in slave trade.
  • Introduce adequate legislation outlawing slavery in all its forms
  • Submit any dispute between themselves which relates to slavery to the International Court of Justice 
  • Forced labour is only allowed for public purposes (e.g. prisoners)

Full text of the Convention

Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948)

Despite almost two decades of lobbying, it took the horrific revelations of the Nazi Holocaust for the international community to adopt a Convention outlawing genocide. To date, 133 states have ratified the Convention. It has been effectively superseded by the Statute of the International Criminal Court, but remains a milestone human rights Convention.
The Preamble - or introduction - lists some of the principles upon which the Convention is based:
  • The criminal nature of genocide, as well as its condemnation by the civilised world
  • The destructive nature of genocide and its occurrence throughout the history of mankind
  • International cooperation is essential in ridding the world of such a scourge
The Declaration begins with a definition of what constitutes genocide. The definition has withstood the test of time, and was included word-for-word within the Statute of the International Criminal Court. It therefore merits quoting: "...genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such":
  • Killing members of the group;
  • Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
  • Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
  • Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
  • Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.
Committing the crime is not the only punishable act. A person is deemed guilty even if they
  • Conspire to commit genocide
  • Publicly incite genocide
  • Attempt to commit genocide
  • Help commit genocide
No one is exempt from responsibility for genocide, regardless of their official position.
A person charged with genocide shall be tried by a tribunal within the State where the genocide is alleged to have been committed, or else by an international tribunal when the various states involved have agreed to such a tribunal.
Any state that has signed the Convention may call upon the United Nations to take action for the prevention and suppression of genocide.

Full text of the Convention