International Institutions & Human Rights Chapter Notes | Legal Studies for Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Introduction

• In the 19th century, the growth of sovereign nations and increasing international relations led to the development of international cooperation. 
• This resulted in the formation of non-governmental organizations such as the International Law Association (1873) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (1863), which laid the foundation for the League of Nations in 1919 and eventually the United Nations in 1945.

International Labour Organization (ILO) 

The International Labor Organization (ILO) was established in 1919 after the First World War to promote social justice through regulations and agreements to improve labor conditions and achieve humane treatment of workers worldwide.

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

UNESCO was established in 1945 to promote coordination between member states by promoting culture, preserving heritage, sharing knowledge, and fostering cooperation between nations to aid sustainable development.

World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)

• The World Bank was established in 1944 as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), along with the International Monetary Fund, to help rebuild and support the economies of countries that suffered during World War II. 
• It provides loans to member states for development and raises its funds through the world's financial markets.

World Health Organization (WHO) 

• The World Health Organization (WHO) was established in 1948 to support member states in addressing health concerns by setting norms and standards, coordinating disease containment efforts, monitoring global health trends and promoting knowledge and awareness of health issues. 
• The WHO, along with organizations like the World Bank and UNESCO, aim to promote international cooperation on issues related to human rights, redevelopment, and health. 
• These organizations have grown since the end of World War II and have facilitated coordination between various departments of government and non-government organizations.

International Human Rights

• International Human Rights raise questions in the framework of international law and face challenges with enforcement and sanctions. 
• The need for a system to protect human rights was emphasized after the Second World War and led to an increase in activism and literature on the subject. 
• The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) recognizes certain non-derogable rights such as the right to life and freedom of thought, and there are also human rights that have become customary international law like the prohibition of torture, genocide, and slavery and the principle of non-discrimination. 
• These rights have become inalienable and don't require specific treaties for enforcement.
• One of the most influential documents in this regard is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which deals with various provisions, a few of them being:
  liberty of a person (Article 3)
  equality before law (Article 7)
  prohibitions on torture (Article 5)
  socio-economic rights such as right to work and equal pay (Article 23)
  right to social security (Article 25) 
• International human rights law seeks to protect the rights of individuals through a variety of international conventions, treaties, and agreements. 
• The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are two such important documents that establish non-derogable rights and principles of non-discrimination. 
• The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Human Rights Council are responsible for promoting human rights and coordinating with UN bodies on human rights issues. 
• While human rights violations are typically dealt with by the state in which they occur, some human rights violations are considered so grave that any state may take action against them. 
• International human rights law empowers the international community to protect the rights of citizens in other countries. 
• Overall, international human rights law is considered highly important in the field of international law, and is protected and enforced through various international and domestic bodies.