Human Rights include rights to which everyone is entitled, regardless of origin, nationality, belief, gender, legal status or other characteristics. Examples are the right to freedom of expression, the right to life, the right to protection against torture and the right to self-determination. Two key values underlie the concept of Human Rights. The first is “human dignity” and the second is “equality”.

The United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945, with one of its main goals being to protect and improve Human Rights. In 1946, the UN therefore started the Commission on Human Rights to write a declaration: the International Bill of Rights. It was adopted on December 10, 1948, and December 10 is now International Human Rights Day. However, this declaration is not binding and that is why Human Rights were written down in treaties in the 1950’s and 1960s. Signing this treaty obliges a country to adhere to it.

Types of Human Rights

On the Dutch website mensenrechten.nl (humanrights.nl) you can read the following:
“The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted two treaties in 1966. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). This treaty consists of 55 articles. These include discrimination, torture, fair trial, speech, voting rights and equality before the law. In addition, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) has been adopted. This treaty consists of 31 articles. These include work, wages, food, the right to strike, health and education. Both treaties only entered into force in 1976.” (For more detailed information, visit the website.)

Implementation in practice

Although the International Statute of Human Rights is “binding”, in practice there are no executive bodies that can guarantee these rights. In practice, the following often applies: those who have money achieve more in this world and those who have power can get away with human rights violations. Some believe that Human Rights principles are therefore ‘naive’ and not reflected in political practice.

However, there are bodies such as The Council of Europe (CoE), an international organization that focuses on spreading and promoting democracy and human rights. Within the Council of Europe, the European Convention on Human Rights is implemented by the Committee of Ministers and the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. The European Court of Human Rights is a permanent tribunal that hears and decides on individual complaints alleging violations of the European Convention by anyone living in the territory of the Member States.

There are also countless NGOs that try to promote human rights, such as Amnesty International. The Dutch city of The Hague also proudly calls itself “the city of international law”, because it is home to the International Court of Justice, as well as other legal bodies.

The International Court of Justice in The Hague

The International Court of Justice is the main judicial body within the United Nations. (And was established by the UN in 1945). The court deals with legal disputes between states. It consists of 15 judges elected by the General Assembly and the Security Council. The International Court of Justice only adjudicates in legal disputes between states. It also provides advice to the General Assembly and the Security Council upon request. In addition, international organizations affiliated with the UN can also request legal advice in the area in which they operate.