The United Nations Human Rights Commission: Evolution and The Journey So Far

Abstract

The second half of the twentieth century brought with it a body of international human rights law. Such human rights need adequate protection by human rights institutions like the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) which is the first human rights commission. Thus, this paper traces the evolution and development of this Commission and captures circumstances leading to the establishment of the Commission as well as challenges faced in the process of its creation. It goes further to critique the procedures and mechanisms employed in its operations as well as the enforcement capacity it possesses. The paper x-rays the standards set by the Commission as guidance to other commissions because of their significance in setting up global, regional and National Human Rights Commissions (NHRC). The paper concludes with optimism that if such guidelines are strictly followed, it will not only be of great assistance in the formation of other human rights bodies, it will also be easy to identify and monitor human rights violators at the local, regional and global level.