So far… Liberalism UN Charter UDHR
Cassin’s Portico: UDHR “Integrated” Document
What UDHR Achieved 58 member states with varied Ideologies Political systems Religious and Cultural backgrounds Socio-economic development First time HR set forth in such detail Principles enshrined in national legislations HR should be taken together
Claims and Implementation What kinds of claims can be made? Civil Political Economic Social Cultural How are they made?
Concepts to know in relation to HR Anti-majoritarian Hegemony Between states Peacetime Premised on a particular notion of personhood – the self-possessed individual Share principles Soft power What doesn’t the UDHR Cover/address?
Where we are going.. Institutionalization Enforcement/Adjudication/Supranational Mechanisms for Implementation of HR “Norms”
United Nations
UN EMBLEMUN FLAG
UN Organs Chart
General Assembly 192 Member countries Each with one vote Meets annually Members discuss, debate, recommend No binding authority Approves UN’s budget Establish agencies and programs to carry out recommendations.
Security Council Maintain and restore international peace Decisions are binding on all UN members Power to define threat + determine actions Enforce decisions by ordering members to act 15 members; 5 permanent; 10 rotating Decisions require 9 votes BUT Veto right of the great powers Convenes any time of “threat to the peace”
Security Council
Secretariat UN’s executive branch Oversees administration of UN’s policies Day-to-day administration Headed by SG, who is UN’s spokesperson Develop international civil service of diplomats and bureaucrats whose loyalties are not tied to any one country
Secretary General Chosen by General Assembly Nominated by SC 5-year renewable term Brings issues to SC Mediates over conflicts
Secretaries General
Economic and Social Council or ECOSOC Coordinates UN’s economic and social work 54 member countries elected by GA 3-year terms Studies and recommends actions on international topics, i.e. medicine, education 5 regional commissions 9 topical commissions Specialized agencies provide social services
International Court of Justice aka World Court, The Hague, The Netherlands Judicial arm of UN; do not confuse with ICC 15 judges elected by SC/GA No requirement to participate No stare decisis (decisions binding on parties) States are parties (not individuals) Advisory Opinions
ICJ aka World Court
Trusteeship Council Est. to oversee transition of certain colonies to independence Last of those colonies gained independence in 1994 obsolete
Membership in the UN New members admitted with recommendation by SC and 2/3 vote of GA Early years UN West-dominated Balance of power changed in 50s – 60s US primary user of veto Taiwan issue
FUNDING Member states pay dues Based on wealth and ability to pay Member states also make additional $$ contributions for peacekeeping missions US largest contributor, 22% of UN’s 2006 budget; 26% of peacekeeping
Towards the end of promoting peace and security Peacekeeping Economic development Global environment Arms control, disarmament Human rights
Peacekeeping = non-aggressive use of military force to settle conflicts. UN peacekeepers = Neutral Observers Buffer Negotiators Monitor ceasefires Supervise elections Provide humanitarian aid
Peacekeeping continued Lightly armed SC grants authority for peacekeeping mission UN has no army; SC borrows members SC chooses a single commander Conflicting parties must agree to UN presence Funding - single biggest reason for lack of use From peacemaking to peacekeeping Now PEACEBUILDING
Peacebuilding Action to support structures that will strengthen and consolidate peace by fostering international development, social justice, protection of human rights, good governance and the democratic process