International Human Rights and the International Human Rights System A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions The GA can consider any matter related to the UN Charter and its implementation except situations that are on the agenda of the SC. This is a very broad mandate and inevitably leads the GA to consider human rights issues, in relation both to the development of human rights law and to the situation in specific countries. The GA is the UN organ that gives approval to new treaties and declarations relating to human rights. It will also deal with country situations where the SC is unwilling or unable to act. In addition, the GA elects the 47 members of the HRC. It receives the HRC’s annual report and, through its Third Committee, considers HRC resolutions that require GA endorsement.48 The GA decides matters by a majority vote, with no State having a veto on any matter. Most matters are decided by a simple majority but some “special” matters require a two-thirds majority and some elections require an absolute majority. However, its decisions are not binding on UN Member States and they are not enforceable. They have political and moral authority only, not legal authority. As a result the GA is considered to be the highest forum for the expression of international opinion and aspirations but it is powerless to force compliance with its views. The GA has six committees through which its work is organized and in which more detailed consideration is given to any matters to come before the GA in plenary: • First Committee (Disarmament and International Security Committee) • Second Committee (Economic and Financial Committee) • Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee) • Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization Committee) • Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary Committee) • Sixth Committee (Legal Committee). The Third Committee – that is, the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee – considers human rights issues. As well as giving preliminary consideration to issues and resolutions proposed to come before the GA plenary session, the Third Committee hears reports from international human rights experts and has interactive dialogues with them. These experts rarely have the opportunity to report directly to the plenary session and to have open discussions in the plenary session. The Third Committee, therefore, provides a unique forum for States to discuss issues with these experts in public under the auspice of the GA. The GA conducts its annual session from September to December. However, it meets frequently at other times during the year to consider specific issues. It always meets in New York. Only UN Member States have the right to participate, including speaking rights, in the GA and its committees. NHRIs and NGOs have no speaking rights and so they are unable to participate in human rights debates in the GA plenary or committees. They undertake their advocacy through more traditional lobbying efforts, both written and in meetings, with State delegations and UN officials. They seek to influence the GA agenda and GA decisions in this way. GA consideration of country situations has been important in increasing international moral and political pressure on States that violate human rights. NHRIs and NGOs will want to influence that process. 48 For information about the HRC, including its membership, elections, agendas for meetings and resolutions, see: www2.ohchr. org/english/bodies/hrcouncil. A Geneva-based NGO, the International Service for Human Rights, publishes reports of all HRC activities, frequent alerts on developing issues and events, and regular updates, with an email list for those wishing to be advised as new material becomes available; see: www.ishr.ch. 22 | Chapter 4: The United Nations charter-based system: An overview