The United Nations charter-based human rights apparatus has long been plagued by concerns of politicization. This pervasive issue first brought the demise of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 2006 and led to the creation of an entirely new entity, the United Nations Human Rights Council, in the hope of answering the concerns of the international community. Although major reforms were undertaken, politicization is now once again cited as one of the main issues of the new Council. In this essay, we identify the source of politicization as the intergovernmental nature of these human rights bodies, and suggest that mitigation of this issue is possible through the reform of the Council’s membership. The creation of a mixed expert-state body will allow for a more functional, depoliticized body in the protection and promotion of human rights.

The United Nations charter-based human rights apparatus has long been plagued by concerns of politicization. This pervasive issue first brought the demise of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 2006 and led to the creation of an entirely new entity, the United Nations Human Rights Council, in the hope of answering the concerns of the international community. Although major reforms were undertaken, politicization is now once again cited as one of the main issues of the new Council. In this essay, we identify the source of politicization as the intergovernmental nature of these human rights bodies, and suggest that mitigation of this issue is possible through the reform of the Council’s membership. The creation of a mixed expert-state body will allow for a more functional, depoliticized body in the protection and promotion of human rights.

Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo a análise do comportamento dos países no Conselho de Direitos Humanos (CDH) da ONU com principal foco no grupo regional dos Estados da América Latina e do Caribe (GRULAC). O Conselho de Direitos Humanos é o principal órgão de promoção e proteção dos direitos humanos do sistema ONU. O trabalho verifica hipóteses relacionadas à influência do pertencimento ao grupo regional, da divisão Norte-Sul e do nível de democracia no comportamento dos países no CDH. Para tal, os métodos empregados são análise estatística descritiva dos dados, estimação de pontos ideais (NOMINATE) e análise de regressão logística. Os dados coletados incluem as votações realizadas durante as 33 primeiras sessões regulares do CDH (2006-2016), bem como as submissões e os copatrocínios de propostas apreciadas durante este período. Os resultados obtidos oferecem um panorama sobre a participação dos países latino-americanos e caribenhos neste órgão e mostram que eles votam mais próximos aos países do Sul Global e distribuídos no que seriam dois conjuntos de países dentro do grupo regional, ao invés de se posicionar como um único grupo coeso. Adicionalmente, os resultados indicam que o nível de democracia e de violações de direitos humanos estão associados ao comportamento em votações de resoluções sobre situação de direitos humanos em países. Contudo, o posicionamento dos países nas votações destas resoluções se distingue conforme o país foco da resolução. / The purpose of this research is to analyse countries\' behaviour in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) focusing on the regional group of the Latin American and Caribbean states (GRULAC). The Human Rights Council is the main body for promoting and protecting human rights within the UN system. This research verifies hypotheses related to the influence of belonging to the regional group, the North-South divide and the level of democracy on how countries behave in the UNHRC. Methods employed in this study are descriptive statistics analysis, ideal points estimation (NOMINATE) and logistic regression analysis. Data collected include roll-call votes that took place during the 33 first regular sessions of the UNHRC (2006-2016) as well as submissions and cosponsorships of proposals analysed by the Council during this period. Results offer an overview of the Latin-American and Caribbean countries participation in this body and show that they vote closer to the countries of the Global South and are distributed in two sets of countries within the regional group, instead of one single cohesive group. Additionally, results suggest that the level of democracy and human rights violations are associated with the voting behaviour on resolutions about human rights situations in specific countries. However, countries\' position on these resolutions differs according to the concerned country.

Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo a análise do comportamento dos países no Conselho de Direitos Humanos (CDH) da ONU com principal foco no grupo regional dos Estados da América Latina e do Caribe (GRULAC). O Conselho de Direitos Humanos é o principal órgão de promoção e proteção dos direitos humanos do sistema ONU. O trabalho verifica hipóteses relacionadas à influência do pertencimento ao grupo regional, da divisão Norte-Sul e do nível de democracia no comportamento dos países no CDH. Para tal, os métodos empregados são análise estatística descritiva dos dados, estimação de pontos ideais (NOMINATE) e análise de regressão logística. Os dados coletados incluem as votações realizadas durante as 33 primeiras sessões regulares do CDH (2006-2016), bem como as submissões e os copatrocínios de propostas apreciadas durante este período. Os resultados obtidos oferecem um panorama sobre a participação dos países latino-americanos e caribenhos neste órgão e mostram que eles votam mais próximos aos países do Sul Global e distribuídos no que seriam dois conjuntos de países dentro do grupo regional, ao invés de se posicionar como um único grupo coeso. Adicionalmente, os resultados indicam que o nível de democracia e de violações de direitos humanos estão associados ao comportamento em votações de resoluções sobre situação de direitos humanos em países. Contudo, o posicionamento dos países nas votações destas resoluções se distingue conforme o país foco da resolução. / The purpose of this research is to analyse countries\' behaviour in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) focusing on the regional group of the Latin American and Caribbean states (GRULAC). The Human Rights Council is the main body for promoting and protecting human rights within the UN system. This research verifies hypotheses related to the influence of belonging to the regional group, the North-South divide and the level of democracy on how countries behave in the UNHRC. Methods employed in this study are descriptive statistics analysis, ideal points estimation (NOMINATE) and logistic regression analysis. Data collected include roll-call votes that took place during the 33 first regular sessions of the UNHRC (2006-2016) as well as submissions and cosponsorships of proposals analysed by the Council during this period. Results offer an overview of the Latin-American and Caribbean countries participation in this body and show that they vote closer to the countries of the Global South and are distributed in two sets of countries within the regional group, instead of one single cohesive group. Additionally, results suggest that the level of democracy and human rights violations are associated with the voting behaviour on resolutions about human rights situations in specific countries. However, countries\' position on these resolutions differs according to the concerned country.

Submitted by Viviane Lima da Cunha (viviane@biblioteca.ufpb.br) on 2016-02-01T13:22:53Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 9508695 bytes, checksum: a4fe899ab49b6512b8d452dcacf524ac (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-01T13:22:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 9508695 bytes, checksum: a4fe899ab49b6512b8d452dcacf524ac (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-27 / The policy councils are spaces for dialogue between state and society, whose aims are the democratization of public policy management and social control of civil society on governments. The bodies collegiate permanent and deliberative (or only advisory). In Brazil, there are already established councils at national, state and municipal levels, in several areas. It is understood that policy advice adds features of representative democracy, participatory and deliberative. Supported on this premise, the present study aims to analyze the importance of the National Human Rights Council in strengthening democracy in Brazil from 2009 to 2012. This council is one of the oldest in the country because it was created in 1964, fifteen days before the military coup. So if inquires: the National Council for Human Rights is an instrument of reinforcing democracy in Brazil from 2009 to 2012? In order to answer this question is adopted qualitative research, by the methods: hermeneutics and discourse analysis. The study was carried out the historical background of democracy as a political regime, in order to examine, especially the main features of representative democracy, participatory and deliberative. There was the institutionalization and the role of the National Human Rights Council in social participation in Brazil. It was emphasized the history and the work of this Council in the promotion and protection of human rights in Brazil. Through the analysis of the minutes, the bylaws, reports and council working legislation was possible to observe the argumentative process, the foundation of deliberative theory, through speech acts and political speeches made by the participants of the meetings of these spaces as well how to observe the participation and performance of the council. The survey results show that this advice was an instrument for strengthening of representative democracy, participatory and deliberative in the analyzed period; demonstrate, however, that much can be done to increase the effectiveness of democracy in that body, such as: increasing it greater autonomy from the government and making efforts for the creation and strengthening of the Human Rights Councils in the states and municipalities. / Os conselhos de políticas públicas são, geralmente, espaços de interlocução entre Estado e sociedade, cujos objetivos são a democratização da gestão das políticas públicas e o controle social sobre os governos. São órgãos colegiados, permanentes e deliberativos (ou apenas consultivos). No Brasil, já existem conselhos constituídos em âmbito nacional, estadual e municipal, nas mais diversas áreas. Entende-se que os conselhos de políticas públicas agregam características da democracia representativa, participativa e deliberativa. Apoiado nesta premissa, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo a análise da importância do Conselho Nacional de Direitos Humanos no fortalecimento da democracia no Brasil no período de 2009 a 2012. Esse conselho é um dos mais antigos do país, pois foi criado em 1964, quinze dias antes do golpe militar. Por isso, indaga-se: em que medida o Conselho Nacional de Direitos Humanos é um instrumento de fortalecimento da democracia no Brasil no período de 2009 a 2012? A fim de responder tal questionamento é adotada a pesquisa qualitativa, através dos métodos: hermenêutico e análise de discurso. No estudo foi realizado o percurso histórico da democracia como regime político, com o objetivo de examinar, sobretudo as principais características da democracia representativa, participativa e deliberativa. Verificou-se a institucionalização e o papel do Conselho Nacional de Direitos Humanos na participação social no Brasil. Enfatizou-se o histórico e a atuação deste conselho na promoção e proteção dos direitos humanos no Brasil. Através das análises das atas, do regimento interno, dos relatórios e da legislação de funcionamento do conselho foi possível a observação do processo argumentativo, fundamento da teoria deliberativa, através dos atos de fala e dos discursos políticos produzidos pelos participantes das reuniões desses espaços, bem como verificar a participação e atuação dos conselheiros. Os resultados da pesquisa apontam que esse conselho foi um instrumento de fortalecimento da democracia representativa, participativa e deliberativa no período analisado; demostram, no entanto, que muito ainda poderá ser feito para aumentar a efetividade da democracia nesse órgão, tais como: aumentando a maior autonomia dele em relação ao governo e envidando esforços para a criação e fortalecimento dos Conselhos de Direitos Humanos nos Estados e Municípios.

Kofi Annan called the Special Procedures 'crown jewel' of the United Nations Human Rights mechanisms. The thesis examines the work of the Special Procedures and their position within the United Nations and the Human Rights Council. Further, an analysis identifying the most controversial mandates among the Special Procedures is conducted based on the voting records in the Human Rights Council. Those mandates are further analyzed and the arguments in favour of the existence of the mandates and critiques are explained.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-25T20:20:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Antonio Sergio Spagnuolo Filho.pdf: 4896435 bytes, checksum: 7e8d6393a16ea5b4734ed43395a830a5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-11-05 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / With the election of Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as president in 2002, Brazil began to pursue a more proactive international policy. In this context, Brazil has asserted itself on various issues at the United Nations Human Rights Council, an organ that is increasingly important to the global human rights debate. Brazil has also shown its willingness to act as a mediator at the council. The objective of this study is to review Brazilian diplomacy at the body, analyze the country's positions there, and compare them to Brazil's overall foreign policy strategy. In doing so, the study will evaluate the coherence between Brazil's rhetoric and practice in the human rights arena / A partir da eleição de Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva como presidente da República, em 2002, o Brasil tem adotado uma postura internacional mais ativa. Neste cenário, o país tem promovido a temática dos direitos humanos, e, inclusive, se mostrado assertivo em suas posições Conselho de Direitos Humanos da Organização das Nações Unidas, embora também demonstrado abordagens mediadoras e conciliadoras. Cabe a esta pesquisa fazer um balanço da atuação do Brasil neste órgão, cada vez mais necessário para o debate global de direitos, através das posições adotadas pelo país e da confluência com suas estratégias de política externa, a fim de traçar um perfil entre discurso e prática na área de direitos humanos nas relações internacionais brasileiras

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-26T14:54:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Antonio Sergio Spagnuolo Filho.pdf: 4896435 bytes, checksum: 7e8d6393a16ea5b4734ed43395a830a5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-11-05 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / With the election of Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as president in 2002, Brazil began to pursue a more proactive international policy. In this context, Brazil has asserted itself on various issues at the United Nations Human Rights Council, an organ that is increasingly important to the global human rights debate. Brazil has also shown its willingness to act as a mediator at the council. The objective of this study is to review Brazilian diplomacy at the body, analyze the country's positions there, and compare them to Brazil's overall foreign policy strategy. In doing so, the study will evaluate the coherence between Brazil's rhetoric and practice in the human rights arena / A partir da eleição de Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva como presidente da República, em 2002, o Brasil tem adotado uma postura internacional mais ativa. Neste cenário, o país tem promovido a temática dos direitos humanos, e, inclusive, se mostrado assertivo em suas posições Conselho de Direitos Humanos da Organização das Nações Unidas, embora também demonstrado abordagens mediadoras e conciliadoras. Cabe a esta pesquisa fazer um balanço da atuação do Brasil neste órgão, cada vez mais necessário para o debate global de direitos, através das posições adotadas pelo país e da confluência com suas estratégias de política externa, a fim de traçar um perfil entre discurso e prática na área de direitos humanos nas relações internacionais brasileiras

Santrauka Bandant atsakyti į klausimą ar naujoji JT Žmogaus teisių taryba – veiksmingesnės žmogaus teisių apsaugos garantas ar viso labo iliuzija, šiame darbe yra aptariami Tarybos pirmtakės – Komisijos – istorija, raida, pasiekimai, trūkumai bei privalumai. Taip pat yra pateikiamas šios JT žmogaus teisių institucijos reformos įvertinimas. Darbe – aptariama pakitusi Tarybos vieta bei statusas JT sistemoje (nuo šiol Taryba yra pagalbinė Generalinės Asamblėjos institucija). Taip pat yra analizuojama Tarybos sudėtis, aptariant pakitusį narių skaičių bei geografinį jų pasiskirstimą. Detaliai analizuojama nauja rinkimų į Tarybą tvarka, kuri turėtų padidinti Tarybos atskaitingumą bei pakelti pasitikėjimą ja. Darbe taip pat nagrinėjami reikalavimai šalims, siekiančioms patekti į Tarybą, o taip pat papildomi bendradarbiavimo reikalavimai šalims, išrinktoms į Tarybą. Aptariamas padidintas Tarybos sesijų skaičius bei jų bendra trukmė, kas turėtų suteikti Tarybai galimybę greičiau, rimčiau bei nuosekliau reaguoti į žmogaus teisių problemas, staiga kylančias krizes, o taip pat užsiimti žmogaus teisių pažeidimų prevencija. Darbe – analizuojami Tarybos veiklos mechanizmo elementai – specialiosios procedūros, skundų procedūra, Patariamasis komitetas, bei naujoji Visuotinės periodinės peržiūros procedūra. Taip pat yra aptariamas kitas aspektas, nuo kurio didele dalimi priklauso Tarybos veiksmingumas – NVO vaidmuo Tarybos veikloje, kuris išliko beveik toks pats koks jis buvo Komisijos... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Summary In an attempt to answer the question whether the new UN Human Rights Council is a guarantee of a more effective protection of human rights or merely an illusion, the paper discusses history, development, achievements, shortcomings and merits of the Council's predecessor -- the Commission. The paper also presents an assessment of this UN human rights institution's reform. The paper discusses the altered place and status of the Council within the UN system (from now on the Council is a subsidiary institution of the General Assembly). The paper also analyzes the Council's composition, discussing the changed number of members and their geographical distribution. The paper also provides detailed analysis of the new rules for electing Council members, which should make the Council more representative and should increase trust in the Council. The paper also examines requirements set for the countries vying for a seat on the Council as well as additional requirements for the countries elected to the Council. The paper discusses the increased number of sessions and their overall duration, something that should help the Council to react to sudden human rights crises and to deal with human rights problems in a faster, more serious and more consistent manner as well as help the Council to be proactive when it comes to human rights violations. The paper analyzes the elements of the Council's work mechanism -- special procedures, complaint procedure, the Advisory Committee and the... [to full text]

The final months of Sri Lankan civil war, the 26 year military campaign between the Government of Sri Lanka and the insurgent separatist organization Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, are marked by allegations of war crimes committed by both parties of the conflict, including attacks on civilians, summary executions of prisoners, enforced disappearances, restrictions on humanitarian assistance and recruitment of children. Since the attempts to put the Sri Lankan issue on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council failed on the unwillingness of China and Russia, the UN bodies in Geneva have taken a leading role in promoting the peacebuilding process on the island. The thesis aims to analyse the impact of the Geneva-based human rights bodies, in particular of the United Nations Human Rights Council, on the process of reconciliation in Sri Lanka, for which is crucial that the alleged violations of human rights in the last months of the civil war would be properly investigated and that the perpetrators would be held accountable. In order to put the activity of the UN Human Rights Council into broader context, the paper will examine the political development in Sri Lanka since the end of the civil war in 2009 as well as the failed efforts of Sri Lankan governments to launch the process of reconciliation.