Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Questions

What is the OHCHR doing to combat discrimination and inequality? Answer: The OHCHR works to combat discrimination and inequality in a variety of ways. This includes monitoring and reporting on human rights violations, providing technical assistance and capacity building to countries, advocating for greater respect of human rights, and providing legal advice and assistance to governments and individuals. The OHCHR also works to raise awareness of human rights issues, and to ensure that all people, regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, language, religion, political opinion, or any other status, are treated equally under the law and that their basic rights and fundamental freedoms are protected.

What is the structure of the OHCHR? Answer: The OHCHR is headed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, who is appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The High Commissioner is supported by a staff of over 300 people, including human rights experts, legal advisors, and administrative personnel. The OHCHR is divided into four regional offices (in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, and Europe) and four regional offices in Geneva, New York, Addis Ababa, and Bangkok.

What is the OHCHR? Answer: The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is an agency of the United Nations, dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights around the world. The OHCHR works to uphold the dignity and worth of all individuals, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, language, religion, political opinion, or any other status. The OHCHR works to ensure that all people are respected and treated equally under the law and that their basic rights and fundamental freedoms are protected.

What is the relationship between the OHCHR and the United Nations? Answer: The OHCHR is an agency of the United Nations, and its mandate is derived from the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other international agreements and treaties. The OHCHR works closely with other UN agencies and programmes, such as the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Children’s Fund, to promote and protect human rights. The OHCHR also works with states, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure that human rights are respected and protected.

What is the mandate of the OHCHR? Answer: The OHCHR is mandated to promote and protect all human rights, civil, political, economic, social, and cultural. This includes the rights to life, liberty, and security of person; the right to an adequate standard of living; the right to education; the right to health; the right to freedom of opinion and expression; the right to peaceful assembly and association; the right to a fair trial; the right to freedom from discrimination; the right to freedom of movement and residence; the right to seek asylum; and the right to a nationality.

What are the activities of the OHCHR? Answer: The OHCHR works to promote and protect human rights in a wide variety of ways. This includes monitoring and reporting on human rights violations, providing technical assistance and capacity building to countries, advocating for greater respect of human rights, and providing legal advice and assistance to governments and individuals. OHCHR also works to raise awareness of human rights issues throughout the world, including through public education campaigns, public statements, and conferences.

What is the role of the OHCHR in responding to emergencies? Answer: The OHCHR plays a key role in responding to humanitarian crises and other emergencies. The OHCHR works to ensure that the human rights of those affected by emergencies are respected and protected. This includes monitoring and reporting on human rights violations, providing technical assistance and capacity building to countries, advocating for greater respect of human rights, and providing legal advice and assistance to governments and individuals. The OHCHR also works to raise awareness of human rights issues and to provide assistance to those in need.

How does the OHCHR work with civil society? Answer: The OHCHR works closely with civil society organizations to ensure that human rights are respected and protected. This includes providing technical assistance to civil society organizations in the areas of human rights monitoring, advocacy, and legal advice. The OHCHR also works with civil society organizations to raise awareness of human rights issues, and to provide training in areas such as human rights education, gender equality, and disability rights. The OHCHR also works with civil society organizations to provide feedback on UN reports and documents, to ensure that the UN’s work is informed by the perspectives of those affected by human rights violations.

What are the main tools used by the OHCHR? Answer: The OHCHR employs a range of tools to promote and protect human rights. This includes monitoring and reporting on human rights violations, providing technical assistance and capacity building to countries, advocating for greater respect of human rights, and providing legal advice and assistance to governments and individuals. The OHCHR also works to raise awareness of human rights issues through public education campaigns, public statements, and conferences. The OHCHR also uses international human rights instruments, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to promote and protect human rights.

What is the OHCHR doing to protect the rights of vulnerable groups? Answer: The OHCHR works to protect the rights of vulnerable groups in a variety of ways. This includes monitoring and reporting on human rights violations, providing technical assistance and capacity building to countries, advocating for greater respect of human rights, and providing legal advice and assistance to governments and individuals. The OHCHR also works to raise awareness of human rights issues, and to ensure that all people, regardless of age, disability, sex, race, ethnicity, language, religion, political opinion, or any other status, are treated equally under the law and that their basic rights and fundamental freedoms are protected.