Understanding International Human Rights Law

Human Rights Law

International human rights law organizes human rights in various international treaties. It pertains to the body of international laws which was specifically created to protect human rights an the international level. These international human rights laws can be administered at a regional, international, or domestic level. The United Nations General Assembly, in 1948, put into effect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This document became the standard for international human rights laws, and has protected them since then. In addition to the UDHR, international treaties and agreements since it was endorsed have helped to further develop the body of international human rights law. This document along with the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that were later passed, come together to form what has come to be known as the “International Bill of Human Rights.” Some other significant international treaties that were adopted universally are Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, Convention on the Rights of the Child, and Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. These treaties, along with the covenants, and their content must be enforced at all times to maintain order under international human rights law, therefore they need to be observed by another party. The enforcement of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights itself is overseen by the United Nations Human Rights Committee. The states that adopt these treaties are generally agreeing to not only make sure these treaties are enforced, but also to prevent from impeding with the exercise and enjoyment of the rights, but also to improve the enjoyment of them, and also to replace the enjoyment if it has been taken away. In addition, the States must protect groups and individuals against abuses of human rights. International human rights law bestows all these obligations upon a State that it must respect, abide by, and protect.

Along with treaties, there are also “human rights instruments” that were adopted, also to better the enjoyment of human rights. Some of these instruments that further enhance international human rights law throughout are Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women ,United Nations Convention Against Torture, Convention on the Rights of the Child, International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families, and the most recent, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Although there is at the time no international court to execute international human rights laws, they are cautiously monitored and protected everyday. Committees and individuals look into the improvement of laws for their States and for their own citizens, in order to better protect them from having their human rights interfered with. In basic essence, international human rights law exists to better the quality of life of individuals within a State and within other States, and allowing them to enjoy and express them freely.