This document discusses several UN agencies and mechanisms that work to promote and protect human rights, including: - The International Commission on Human Rights, which was the first UN body dedicated to human rights. It was replaced by the UN Human Rights Council. - The UN Human Rights Council, which aims to strengthen human rights globally and address human rights violations. It oversees various bodies like the Universal Periodic Review. - Other key agencies mentioned are the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, International Labour Organization, and UNICEF. The roles and functions of these agencies in upholding human rights are described.

1. UNIT -4
PROTECTIVE AGENCIES
AND MECHANISM

2. CONTENTS UNDER UNIT -4
• Protective Agencies and Mechansim
• International commission on human rights
• Office of High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR)
• International Labour Organization (ILO)
• United Nations International Children’s Fund(UNICEF)
• Amnesty International
• Center for human rights
• Red Cross

3. PROTECTIVE AGENCIES AND MECHANSIM
• In 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights lay down the principles that brought
human rights into the realm of international law. Since then, the Organizationhas diligently
protected human rights through legal instruments and on-the-ground activities. The two
Covenants civil and political rights and economic and social rights also talks about the
protection of human rights.
• The term “human rights” was mentioned seven times in the UN's founding Charter, making
the promotion and protection of human rights a key purpose and guiding principle of the
Organization.
• The UN human rights system is a collection of mechanisms that work together to:
a)Hold States accountable for their human rights obligations
b)Discuss and take action on human rights concerns around the world
c)Set standards for the promotion, protection, and fulfillment of human rights

4. • UN agencies concerned with human rights
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
United Nations International Children’s Fund(UNICEF)
International Labour Organization(ILO)

5. INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
• A no of bodies have been established under the UN system to promote and protect human
rights. The first and the foremost important human rights body was the Commissionon
Human Rights which was appointed by the Economic and Social Council and approved by the
General Assembly on February 16,1946. It was a body created under the terms of the United
Nations Charter (specifically, under Article 68) to which all UN member states are signatories.
• It met for the first time in January 1947 and established a drafting committee for
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the United Nations on
December 10, 1948.
• The body went through two distinct phases. From 1947 to 1967, it concentrated on
promoting human rights and helping states elaborate treaties, but not on investigating or
condemning violators.It was a period of strict observance of the sovereignty principle.

6. • In 1967, the Commission adopted interventionismas its policy. The context of the decade was None of
these measures, however, were able to make the Commission as effective as desired, mainlybecause of
the presence of human rights violatorsand the politicizationof the body. During the following years
until its extinction, the UNCHR became increasinglydiscredited among activistsand governmentsalike.
• The Commission held its final meeting in Geneva on March 27, 2006, and was replaced by the United
NationsHuman Rights Council in the same year.of Decolonization ofAfrica and Asia, and many
countries of the continentpressed for a more active UN policy on human rights issues, especially in light
of massive violationsin apartheidSouth Africa. The new policy meant that the Commission would also
investigateand produce reports on violations.
• To allowbetter fulfillment of this new policy, other changes took place. In the 1970s, the possibilityof
geographicallyorientedworkgroups was created. These groupswould specialize in investigating
violationsin a particularregion or even a single country. With the 1980s came the creation of theme-
oriented workgroups, which would specialize in specific types of abuses.

7. • None of these measures, however, were able to make the Commissionas effective as desired,
mainly because of the presence of human rights violators and the politicization of the body.
During the following years until its extinction, the UNCHR became increasingly discredited
among activists and governments alike.
• The Commissionheld its final meeting in Geneva on March 27, 2006, and was replaced by the
United Nations Human Rights Council in the same year.

8. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
• The world leaders – Heads of States and Government met at UN Headquarters in New York
from September 14 to 16,2005and adopted a document at the end of the summit known as
2005 World Summit Outcome.
• The Outcome document contained a no of global issues on which the leaders agreed to take
action. They agreed to create a UN Human Rights Council which shall be responsible for the
protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction of any
kind and in a fair and equal manner.
• In order to implement the above provision of the Outcome document , the General Assembly
on March 15,2006 adopteda resolution to establish the Human Rights Council based in
Geneva , in replacement of the Commissionon Human Rights .

9. • The Council as an inter-governmental body responsible for strengthening the promotion and
protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights
violations and make recommendations on them.
• The council is a subsidiary organ of the General Assembly.
Composition :
• The Human Rights Council consists of 47 members who are elected directly and individually by
secret ballot by the majority of the members of the General Assembly. The membership is based
on equitable geographical distribution.
• I.e., 13 from African Group, 13 from Asian Group, 6 from East European Group and 7 from the
Western European and other states Group.
• Membership in the council is open to all member states of the United Nations.

10. • While electing the members of the council, member states take into account the contribution of
candidates to the promotion and protection of human rights.
• The Assembly, by a two- third majority of members present and voting,could suspend the rights of
membership of a council member who commits gross and systematic violations of human rights.
• The members of the council serve for a period of 3 years and are not eligible for immediate re
election.
• The Council holds regular sessions 3 times a year I.e, March, June and September.
• The council can decide at any time to hold a special session to address human rights violations and
in emergencies, at the request of one third of the member states.

11. Functions:
• It shall promote human rights education and learning as well as advisory services, technical
assistanceand capacity building, to be provided in consultation with and with the consent of
member states concerned.
• It shall serve as a forum for dialogue on thematic issues on all human rights.
• It shall make recommendations to the General Assembly for the further development of
International law in the field of human rights.
• It shall promote the full implementation of human rights obligations undertaken by the states
and follow up the goals and commitments related to the promotion and protection of human
rights emanating from UN conferences and summits.

12. • It shall undertake a universal periodic review , based on objective and reliable information, of
the fulfillment by each state of its human rights obligations and commitments in a manner
which ensures universality of coverage and equal treatment with respect to all states.
• It shall work in close cooperation in the field of human rights with Governments, regional
organizations, national human rights institutions.
• The Council shall submit the annual report to the General Assembly.
• The Council established the following bodies which are called as subsidiary bodies of the
Human Rights Council and which reports to the council directly are as
a) Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
b) Complaint Procedure
c) Special procedures
d) Advisory Committee
e) Review of the functioning of the council

13. UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW (UPR)
• The Council adopted a resolution on June 18, 2007 by consensus for a package reforms which
included the establishment of UPR.
• The UPR is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all 193
members of the UN once in every 4 years. Thus, 48 states will be reviewd each year. The
Review will provide an opportunity for all states to declare what actions they have taken to
improve the human rights situations in their countries to overcome the challenges to the
enjoyment of human rights.
• The ultimate goal of UPR is the improvementof the human rights situations in every country
with significant consequences for people around the world. To, achieve this the UPR involves
assessing States human rights records and addressing human rights violations whenever they
occurred. It also aims to provide technical assistanceto states and enhance their capacity to
deal effectively with human rights challenges.

14. • The reviews are conducted by the UPR Working Group consisting of 47 members of the
council and it is chaired by the president of the council. However, any member of the UN can
take part in the discussion with the reviewed states. Each statereview is assistedby Groups
of 3 states, known as troika who serve as rapporteurs.
• The selection of troikas for each statereview is done through a drawing of lots prior for each
working group session. Following the state review by the working group a report is prepared
by troikas with the involvement of the state under review and assistancefrom the OHCHR.
• This report referred to as the outcome report provides a summaryof the actual discussion. It
therefore consists of the questions, comments and recommendations made by states to the
country under review. The working group met for first time in April, 2008.

15. • The state has the primary responsibility to implement the recommendations contained in the
final outcome. The UPR ensures that all countries are accountable for progress or failure in
implementation of these recommendations.
• When it comes time for the second review of a state it mustprovide information on what
they have been doing to implement the recommendations made during the first review. If the
state doesn’t cooperate with the UPR the Human Rights Council will decide on the measures
it would need to take in case of persistent non cooperation by the statewith the UPR.

16. COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
• Human Rights Council on June 18, 2007 adopted resolution to establish complaint procedure
whose purpose is to address consistentpatterns of gross violations of all human rights and
fundamental freedoms occurring in any part of the world and under any circumstances.
• The complaint procedure addresses communications, submittedby individuals, groups or non
governmental organizations that claim to be victims of human rights violations or that have
direct, reliable knowledge of such violations.
• Functions of the complaint procedure are carried on by two working groups as
a) the Working Group on Communications(WGC)consisting of 5 independent and qualified
experts and
b) Working Group on Situations (WGS) consisting of 5 members. They examine written
communications and bring them to the Human Rights Council.

17. SPECIAL PROCEDURES
• Special procedures is the general name given to the mechanism established by the Human
Rights Council to address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of
the world.
• Special procedures with the support of the office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights undertake country visits, act on individual cases and concerns a broader ,
structural nature by sending communications to states concerned, conduct thematic studies
and convene expert consultation.
• Special procedures report annually to the Human Rights Council. Persons performing
functions within the scope of Special procedures are Called Special rapporteurs, Special
Representatives of the Secretary General or Independent Experts.

18. ADVISORY COMMITTEE
• In September 2007, the council decided to create an advisory committee to provide expert advice
at its direction. The advisory Committee held its firstmeeting in August 2008.
• The Committee is compared of 18 independent experts representing the various regions of the
world. Experts are elected by governments and the council. They are elected for a period of 3
years and may be re elected once.
• The advisory committee provides
a) It mainly focuses on studies and research based advice.
b) To propose to the council for the consideration and approval, suggestions for further research
proposals
c) To implement the promotion and protection of human rights on the issues which come within
the scope of its advice.

19. REVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONING OF THE COUNCIL
• At the time of the creation of the Human Rights Council, the General Assemblydecided that
the Council shall review its work and its functioning 5 years after it has come into existence.
Accordingly, review of the work and functioning of the council was done in the year 2011.
• It was statedthat the periodicity of the review for the second and subsequent cycles will be
for four and half years. It was laid down in the document that the Universal Periodic Review
Voluntary Trust Fund established by the Council. It should be strengthen in order to provide a
source of financial and technical assistance to help countries, particularly to the least
developed countries .

20. OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH
COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (OHCHR)
• The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights was established by the
General Assembly on December 20,1993. This reform was in the wake of the Vienna conference
on human rights of 1993 wherein it was stressed that a strong institutional machinery is required
to be established in order to promote and protect human rights effectively. The office is located at
Geneva and it has a branch offices around the world.
Composition:
• The OHCHR is headed by the a High Commissioner who is appointed by the Secretary General of
the UN and his name is approved by the General Assembly. He shall be a person of high moral
standing and personal integrity possessing expertise in the human rights field and an
understanding of diverse cultures.
• Due regard is given to geographical rotation: the high Commissioner shall serve a 4 year term at
the rank of the under Secretary General.

21. • Jose Ayala Lasso of Ecuadorwas nominated by the SecretaryGeneral as the 1st commissioner when his name
was confirmed by the General Assembly on Feb 14, 1994.Presently, Michelle Bachelet of Chile is the high
commissioner.
• The highimportant commissioner for human rights is responsible for all the activities of the OHCHR. He/She
carries out the functions specially assigned by the General Assembly on December 20,1993.
• The responsibilities given by the General Assembly under the resolution are
a) To promote and protectthe effective enjoyment by all of all the civil, cultural,economic,politicaland social
rights, including right to development.
b) to provide advisory services, technical and financial assistancein the field of human rights to states that
request them and to coordinateUN education and public information programmesin the field of human rights.
c) to play an importantand active role in removing the obstacles and prevent the violations of human rights
throughoutthe world.

22. • The high commissioner for human rights in the performance of his or her activities is assisted by
the deputy to the high commissioner who acts as officer-in-charge during the absence of the high
commissioner.
• In addition, Deputy to the high commissioner carries out specific substantive and administrative
assignments as decided by the high commissioner. The deputy to accountable to the high
commissioner.
• The OHCHR maintains an office at the Headquarters which is called NewYork office which is
headed by the Assistant Secretary General who is accountable to the high commissioner.
• The Secretary General performs a no of functions including the representation of the high
commissioner at headquarters at meeting of policy making bodies, with permanent missions of
member states. The NewYork office is also provides advice and recommendations on substantive
matters to the high commissioner.

23. FUNCTIONS OF OHCHR
• The OHCHR promotes universal enjoyment of all human rights by giving practical effect to
the will and resolve of the world community as expressed by the UN.
• The office plays the leading role on human rights issues and emphasizes the importance of
human rights at the international and national levels.
• The office promotes international co operation for human rights and stimulate action for
human rights throughout the United Nations System.
• Office promotes universal ratification and implementationof international standards and
assists development of new norms.
• Office responds to serious violations of human rights and undertake preventive human rights
action.

24. • The office promotes the establishment of national human rights infrastructures and supports
human rights organ and treaty monitoring bodies.
• Office undertakes human rights field activities and operations and provide education,
information, advisory services and technical assistancein the field of human rights.
• OHCHR has been working to meet the greatly increased demand for support to the year
round meetings of the human rights council and the human rights treaty bodies.
• OHCHR supports the work of treaty bodies and assists them in harmonizing their working
methods and reporting requirements through their secretaries for promotion and protection
of human rights

25. INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION (ILO)
• The International Labour Organization(ILO)is a United Nations agency whose mandate is to advance social
and economic justice through setting internationallabour standardsFounded in October 1919under
the League of Nations,it is the first and oldest specialised agency of the UN adopted by the General Assembly
in the year of 1946.
• The ILO has 187member states - 186 out of 193 UN member states plus the Cook Islands It is headquartered
in Geneva, Switzerland.
• The Cook Islands is a self-governing island countryin the South PacificOcean in free association with New
Zealand. It comprises 15 islands whose total land area is 240 square kilometres. New Zealand is responsible
for the Cook Islands' defence and foreign affairs,but these responsibilities are exercised in consultationwith
the Cook Islands.In recent times, the Cook Islands have adopted an increasingly independent foreign policy.
• The 8 countries which are members of the United Nations but not the members of the ILO are
Andorra, Bhutan,Korea, Liechtenstein, Micronesia,Monaco,Nauru and Holysee.

26. • The ILO's labourstandardsare aimed at ensuring accessible, productive,and sustainablework
worldwide in conditionsof freedom, equity, security and dignity
• . They are set forth in 189 conventionsand treaties, of which eight are classified as fundamental
according to the 1998 Declarationon Fundamental Principlesand Rights at Work together they protect
freedom of associationand the effective recognition of the right to collectivebargaining
the eliminationof forced or compulsory labour,
the abolitionof child labour, and
the eliminationof discriminationin respect of employment and occupation.
• The ILO is a major contributorto international labourlaw.

27. • Within the UN system the organizationhas a unique tripartite structure:all standards,policies, and
programmes require discussion and approval from the representatives of governments, employers, and
workers.
• This framework is maintained in the ILO'sthree main bodies:
a) The InternationalLabour Conference, which meets annually to formulate international labour standards
b) the Governing Body, which serves as the executive council and decides the agency's policy and budget
c) the International Labour Office, the permanent secretariatthat administers the organizationand
implements activities.
• The secretariat is led by the Director-General,Guy Ryder (British) of the United Kingdom, who was elected by
the Governing Body in 2012.

28. OBJECT OF ILO
• The main object of the organizationis to promote international co operation in the sphere of
industry and labour so that economic competition between states and give uniform labour
standards throughout the world.
• The Organisationefforts are principally directed to bring the legislation and practice of each
state in line with the mostenlightening modern conceptions as to the treatment of labour,
and with changing economic and social conditions in each and every country.

29. COMPOSITION
• The membership of the International LabourOrganizationis open to all states. The outstandingfeature
of the ILO is tripartite character, as it is representativein its organsof Governments, employers and
employees.
• It comprises of 3 main organs, namely ---
1. General conference
2. General Body
3. Secretariat

30. General Conference:
• It is also known as a International Labour Conference.
• It consists of 4 representatives of each of Member States, 2 represent the Government, 1
represent the employer and 1 represent of workers.All are entitles to vote in the Conference,
which meets atleast once in a year.
• This organ is the main policy making or legislative body. The Conference makes recommendations
and adopts conventions by a two-thirds majority.
• Recommendations made by the Conference serve as a guiding principle for the states in matters of
labour legislation.
• These recommendations are considered in general, a standard for ddomestic legislation . The
member states are bound to report actually the measures taken to bring its legislation in
conformity with the convention.

31. Governing Body:
• It is an executive body of the ILO consisting of 56 members, out of which 28 represent
Governments, 14 represent management and elected by the employers delegates to the
conference, whereas the remaining 14 represent labour and elected by the workers delegates to
the conference.
• The Governing Body appoints the Director General of the ILO and supervises the work of the office
and of the various committees and conferences.
Secretariat:
• It is also known as the International Labour Office. It is the permanent secretariat of the ILOand
located at Geneva.
• It is the duty of the Labour Office to prepare documents for the meetings of the conference.

32. FUNCTIONS OF ILO
• The ILO is working for the improvement of labour standards and conditions throughout the
world.
• ILO has adopted a no of resolutions, reports, observations and conclusions from time to time
and all these collectively form an international labour code embodying world standards of
the policy.
• The organizationconfers on industrial association of employers and workers the right to make
a representation to the Governing Body that a member statehas failed to observe a
convention binding it.
• ILO was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1969.

33. UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S
FUND(UNICEF)
• UNICEF, also known as the United Nations Children's Fund,is a United Nations agency responsible for
providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. The agency is among the most
widespread and recognizable social welfare organizationsin the world, with a presence in 192countries and
territories.
• UNICEF'sactivities include providing immunizations and disease prevention, administering treatment for
children and mothers with HIV, enhancing childhood and maternal nutrition, improving sanitation,promoting
education, and providing emergency relief in response to disasters
• UNICEFis the successor of the United Nations InternationalChildren's Emergency Fund, createdon December
11, 1946,in New York, to provide immediate relief to children and mothers affected by World War II. The
same year, the U.N. General Assembly established UNICEF to further institutionalize post-war relief work.
• In 1950,its mandate was extended to address the long-term needs of children and women, particularly
in developing countries. In 1953,the organizationbecame a permanent part of the United Nations System.

34. • UNICEFrelies entirely on voluntary contributionsfrom governments and private donors.
• It is governed by a 36-member executive board that establishes policies, approves programs,and oversees
administrative and financial plans. The board is made up of government representativeselected by the United
Nations Economic and Social Council, for a period of three-years.
• Its work is coordinatedby the bureau, comprising the president and four vice-presidents, each officer
representing one of the five regional groups.These five officers are elected by the executive board annually
from among its members, with the presidency rotatingamong the regional groups on an annual basis.
• UNICEFrelies on country offices to help carry out its work through a unique programof cooperation
developed with the host government. The programs are seek to develop practicalstrategiesfor fulfilling and
protectingthe rights of children and women. Regional offices guide this work and provide technical assistance
to country offices as needed. Overall management and administrationof the organizationtake place at its
headquartersin New York City.

35. The following countries are home to UNICEF Regional Offices.
• The Americas and CaribbeanRegional Office, Panama City, Panama
• Europe and Central Asia RegionalOffice, Geneva, Switzerland
• East Asia and the Pacific RegionalOffice, Bangkok, Thailand
• Eastern and Southern Africa RegionalOffice, Nairobi,Kenya
• MiddleEast and North Africa RegionalOffice, Amman, Jordan
• South Asia RegionalOffice, Kathmandu,Nepal
• West and Central Africa RegionalOffice, Senegal, west Africa.

36. FUNCTIONS OF UNICEF
• UNICEF works for the Protection of children in matters of their survival, health and well
being. This is done in cooperation with the private individuals, Governmnets and Private
Sector.
• UNICEF delivers funds for the training of personnel, Including health and sanitation workers,
teachers and nutritionists.
• Universal Child Immunizationagainstthe Preventable diseases was the one of the main goal
of UNICEF.
• UNICEF provides assistance to Governments for planning,developing and extending
Community based services in the fields of maternal and child health, nutrition , sanitation,
etc.

37. CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
• The Centre for Human Rights is an organisation dedicated topromoting human rights through
educational outreach,includingmultinationalconferences, seminars and publications.
• Every continent has its own centers for promoting the human rights.
SOUTH AFRICA :
• The Centre, founded in 1986 for promoting the human rights through education, seminars
and conferences.
• The Centre, which was founded during Apartheid, assistedin adapting a Bill of Rights for
South Africa and contributed to creating the South African Constitution.

38. ASIAN Countries:
• The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR)dedicatedto the promotionand protection of human rights
and fundamentalfreedoms in Asia. It is headquarteredin New Delhi, India.
• The organization seeksto provide timely and accurate information;conducts investigations,research
and campaignsand lobbies about country situationsor individual cases.It aims to increase the impact
of human rights activists and civil society groups; provide input into internationalstandard-setting
processes on human rights; provide political,legal and practicaladvice. It secures cultural,social, and
economic rights through rights-based approaches to international development.
• The centre maintainsa particularfocus on
India, SrLanka, Bangladesh, Nepal,Philippines,Afghanistan, Bhutan,Maldives,Pakistan and Thailand.

39. AMERICA:
• The Center for Human Rights was founded in 1990 as a way to coordinateall the human rights
and humanitarianlaw.
• The Center has founded and administeredexpansiveprogramming on emerging human rights issues,
focused on core areas includingthe Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities,Human Rights in
Business, Human Rights Education,and the Anti-Torture Initiative,designed to support the mandateof
the UN Special Rapporteuron Torture through developmentof a model for effective in-country follow-
up and through monitoringand assessing implementationof the SRT's recommendations.
Australia:
• The Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC) is dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights in
Australia and beyond. They do this through a strategic combination of evidence-based advocacy,
research, litigation and education.

40. RED CROSS
• The International Red Cross Movementis an internationalhumanitarian movement, which was founded to
protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and to prevent and alleviate human
suffering.
• The InternationalCommittee of the Red Cross (ICRC), is a private humanitarianinstitution, which was founded
in 1863in Geneva, Switzerland. Its 25-member committee has a unique authority under international
humanitarian law to protectthe life and dignity of the victims of international and internal armed conflicts.
• Currently 192National Societies are recognized by the ICRC and admitted as full members of the Federation.
Each entity works in its home country accordingto the principles of international humanitarian law and the
statutesof the international Movement. Depending on their specific circumstancesand capacities, National
Societies can take on additional humanitariantasks that are not directly defined by international humanitarian
law or the mandates of the international Movement. They are tightly linked to the respective national health
care system by providing emergency medical services in every country.

41. HISTORY OF RED CROSS
enth century, there were no organized or well-established army nursingsystems
ectedinstitutions,to accommodate and treat those who were wounded on the
enri Dunant traveled to Italy to meet then-Frenchemperor Napoleon III in June
discussing difficulties in conductingbusiness in Algeria, which at that time was
f Solferino on the evening of 24 June after the Battle of Solferino, an
dinianWar.
soldiers on both sides died or were left wounded on the field. Dunant was
mathof the battle, the suffering of the wounded soldiers, and the near-total lack
sic care. He completely abandoned the original intent of his trip and for several
lping with the treatment and care for the wounded. He took point in organizing
f assistance with the local villagers to aid without discrimination.

42. • He back to his home at Geneva,he wrote a book titled “A Memory of Solferino”and he publishedit with his own moneyin
1862. In 1863, GustaveMoynier,a Geneva lawyer and president ofthe Geneva Societyfor Public Welfare, received a copyof
Dunant's bookand introduced it for discussion at a meetingof that society.The society established an investigatory
commission to examine the feasibilityofDunant's suggestions and eventuallyto organize an international conference about
theirpossible implementation.
• In October (26–29) 1863, the international conference organizedbythe committee was held in Geneva to develop possible
measures to improvemedical services on the battlefield. In 1864, the Swiss government invitedthe governments ofall
European countries,as well as the United States,the Empire of Brazil and the Mexican Empire to attend an official diplomatic
conference. The conference adopted the first Geneva Convention "forthe Ameliorationofthe Condition ofthe Wounded in
Armies in the Field.”
• In 1867, the first InternationalConference ofNational Aid Societies for the Nursingof the War Wounded was convened.The
committee adopted the name "InternationalCommittee ofthe Red Cross"(ICRC), which is still its official designationtoday.
• More and more countries signed the Geneva Convention and beganto respect it in practice duringarmed conflicts. the Red
Cross gained huge momentum as an internationallyrespected movement,and the national societies became increasingly
popular as a venue for volunteer work.

43. FUNCTIONS OF RED CROSS
The main functions of the Red Cross are:
• To extend relief and help to the victims of any calamity – fire, flood, famine, earthquakes, etc
• To procure and supply bloodfor the victims of war and other calamities
• To extend all possible first-aid in an accident
• To educate people in accident prevention
• To arrange for ambulance service in all emergencies
• Provide relief to the victims of armed conflict and internalviolence and ensure that protected persons
are treated according to humanitarianlaw.
• Re-unite families dispersed by war and conflict for instance by maintainingthe Central TracingAgency in
Geneva.

44. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
• AmnestyInternational was founded in 1961 by British Lawyer Peter Beneson and is
independent of any government, political, ideology,economic interest or religion. It is a
leading Non-governmental organizationin the field of human rights. Presently, there are
more than 1.8 million members, supporters and subscribers in over 150 countries
• AI vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all the human rights enshrined in the
UDHR. It has its own methods to protect the right of the human beings. It seeks to disclose
human rights issues accurately, quickly and persistentantly.
• It systematicallyand impartially researches the facts of individual cases and patterns of
human rights abuses and find the solutions for that abuses and give pressure on governments
to stop those abuses.

45. Sections:
• A section of AI established in any country, state, territory or region with the consent of the
International executive committee. All sections shall have the right to appoint a
representative to International council.
• The main role is maintain basic AmnestyInternational activities.
Structure:
• It is a national or regional body established by the international executive committee to
promote and implement the movement’s vision and mission. The purpose of structure is to
coordinate a sustainedprogramme of human rights activities through national or regional
organizations.

46. International Network And Secretariat:
• It exists to promote and implement the movement vision and mission. Primarily on the basis
of a specific theme or identity.
• The Secretariat includes the Secretary General and the staff. The head of the secretariat I.e.,
Secretary General is appointed by the international executive committee. He is responsible
for the conduct of the affairs of AI and for the implementation of the decisions of the
International councils.

47. • Iauthorityt carries out a wide range of human rights Educational activities and encourages inter
governmental organizations, individuals and all organs of society to support and respect human
rights.
• Amnesty International operates through an international council, international executive
committee, sections,structures , international network and international secretariat.
International Council
• It is the final authority for the conduct of the affairs of AI. It consists of the members of the
international executive committee and of the representatives of sections. It meets at intervals of
not more than 2 years on a date fixed by the international executive committee.
• Only rrepresentatives of sections shall have the right to vote at the international council.
• The main role of Council is to set AI mission,vision and core values and to establish systems and
bodies and elect members of that bodies.

48. International Executive Committee:
• It consists of the treasure and 8 regular members who shall be individual or international
members of AI. The regular members and treasures shall be elected by the International
council.
• It meets not less than twice a year. Members of the International executive committee shall
hold office for a period of 2 years and shall be eligible for re election for a maximum tenure of
3 consecutive terms.
• The primary role of the International executive committee is to provide leadership and
stewardshipfor the whole of AI worldwide.