UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS

1st March, 2023 International Relations

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Context: Representatives of fugitive ‘godman’ Nithyananda’s self-proclaimed country, the United States of Kailasa (USK), attended a discussion conducted by the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) in Geneva.

Details:

The event was the ‘Day of General Discussion on General Comment on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Sustainable Development’, where two persons spoke on behalf of the United States of Kailasa during the time allocated to raise questions
The USK isn’t among the 193 countries recognised by the UN.
In 2020, Nithyananda claimed to have founded a new countryafter he “bought an island” off the coast of Ecuador. The ‘country’ has a flag, a constitution, an economic system, a passport and an emblem.

About CESCR:

CESCR is a body of 18 independent experts that monitors the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) — a treaty signed in 1966 — by its State parties.
Established on May 29, 1985, the committee seeks to develop a constructive dialogue with Member States, determine whether the Covenant’s norms are being implemented in Member States and assess how the implementation and enforcement of the Covenant could be improved.

About High Commissioner for Human Rights:

The High Commissioner for Human Rights is the principal human rights official of the United Nations.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is accountable to the Secretary-General and is responsible for all the activities of OHCHR, as well as for its administration.

Roles:

Carries out the functions specifically assigned to him or her by the General Assembly in its resolution 48/141 of 20 December 1993 and subsequent resolutions of policy-making bodies;
Advises the Secretary-General on the policies of the United Nations in the area of human rights;
Ensures that support is given to the projects, activities, organs and bodies of the human rights programme;
Represents the Secretary-General at meetings of human rights organs and at other human rights events; and carries out special assignments as decided by the Secretary-General.

Appointment:

In accordance with General Assembly resolution 48/141, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations and approved by the General Assembly, with due regard to geographical rotation for a fixed term of four years with a possibility of one renewal for another fixed term of four years.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q) Which of the following statements is/are correct?

a. The High Commissioner for Human Rights is the principal human rights official of the United Nations.

b. CESCR monitors the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

I. Only a

II. Only b

III. Both a and b

IV. Neither a nor b

Answer: Option III