Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Description

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, known as OHCHR or UN Human Rights, is the leading United Nations entity on human rights. It works to promote and protect the full range of human rights and freedoms set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The UN General Assembly established the office in December 1993, following the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna.

OHCHR speaks out against human rights violations and helps set the standards used to judge human rights progress worldwide. Its research, education and advocacy work raises awareness and helps people claim their rights. Through field presences it helps prevent abuses, defuse conflict, and gives governments legal advice and capacity-building support. It also works to bring a human rights perspective into all United Nations programmes.

The office gives priority to the most pressing human rights violations and to people who are at risk. It treats civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights as equally important, including the right to development. OHCHR coordinates human rights activities across the UN system and acts as secretariat to the Human Rights Council.

The office is headed by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, based in Geneva, Switzerland, with an additional office in New York. Volker Türk is the current High Commissioner.