Human Rights

The United Nations

Generally, international law applies only to those countries who voluntary agree to be bound by a particular law so it is often difficult to enforce.  However, Canada has agreed to be bound by many of the human rights agreements of the UN.  UN organizations also do not have much legal power to ensure human rights violations are corrected.  They do have political power, however, so in serious cases, it may be appropriate to involve an international organization in your situation.  You should talk to a lawyer about the value of relying on an international agreement or getting an international organization involved in your case.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a statement agreed upon by the members of the UN in 1948 regarding international human rights.  It sets the standard for the ideal human rights situation.  It is not binding, which means there are no legal consequences if a country goes against the declaration.  The Declaration confirms that all people are equal and should not be discriminated against and that they have the right to life, liberty, and security of the person.  It speaks against:

• slavery;
• torture;
• arrest without good reason; and
• seizing people’s property without good reason. 

It confirms people:

• are innocent until proven guilty;
• have a right to a fair trial;
• can move around and in and out of their own country;
• have a right to a nationality;
• have a right to marry who they want;
• have freedom of religion, expression, and association;
• have the right to social security as well as a right to fair work and membership in unions;
• have a right to take holidays;
• have a right to food, clothing, housing, and medical care;
• have a right to a free education;
• have a right to participate in cultural activities; and
• have a duty to their community and to respect the rights of others.

Other Agreements

The UN has made a number of other agreements relating to human rights including:

• the International Bill of Human Rights (which includes the Declaration);
• the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
• the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination;
• the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;
• the Convention on the Rights of the Child;
• the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;
• the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of the Their Families; and
• the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Many of these agreements create special organizations to help ensure countries follow them.  Generally, these organizations do not have the power to punish people who violate human rights, but only make recommendations and put pressure on them.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) works to education and employer individuals and governments to uphold human rights.

United Nations Human Rights Council

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) addresses human rights violations.  The Council reports on human rights abuses and makes recommendations to deal with them.  The Council has a complaints procedure that you can use to bring to their attention “patterns of gross and reliably attested violation” of human rights, which means the situation must be very serious.