Search results

This report seeks to highlight some of the noteworthy developments that took place during the 58th session (Mar-Apr 2002) of the UN Commission on Human Rights (henceforth 'Commission'). The Commission was set up in 1947 & has become one of the best-known human rights bodies. The high diplomatic status of the Commission's state membership, however, leads to a clash between the high expectations of the international community & the reality of the politicization of its work. These tensions will be explored through a focus on thematic & country issues discussed at the 58th session. Adapted from the source document.

In recent years, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have been in-creasingly willing to ratify United Nations human rights instruments. This article examines the underlying rationales for these ratifications and the limited range and drivers of subsequent domestic reforms post ratification. Drawing on both a quantitative analysis of engagement with the UN treaty bodies and Charter-based mechanisms in over 120 UN reports and qualitative interviews with over sixty-five government officials, members of civil society, National Human Rights Institutions, lawyers, and judges from all six states, this article argues that in the GCC states, UN human rights treaty ratification results from a desire to increase standing in the international community. Treaty ratification has limited effects driven by international socialization and cautious leadership preferences.

Human rights cannot be defended by legal measures alone. They need to be protected and safeguarded by everyone, including young people. Human rights are best respected and appreciated when we know them, stand up for them and apply them in our lives. COMPASS provides youth leaders, teachers and facilitators of human rights education activities, whether professionals or volunteers, with concrete ideas and practical activities to engage, involve and motivate young people in living, learning and acting for human rights. It promotes a comprehensive perspective on human rights education and sees young people as actors for a culture of universal human rights. COMPASS was originally published in 2002 and is now available in more than 30 languages. A version specifically designed for human rights education with children - COMPASITO - enjoys a similar success. In 2012 Compass was fully revised and updated to include new activities and information about human rights issues such as disability and disablism, migration, religion, remembrance, war and terrorism. In this 2015 reprint chapter 5 has been revised and the full texts of the background information moved to www.coe.int/compass. COMPASS is a practical tool and resource for citizenship and human rights education. It is an essential companion for all those who are curious and interested in making the right to human rights education a reality for everyone.