The Commission on Human Rights with the primary function of investigating all forms of human rights violations involving
civil and
political rights in the Philippines.
The CHR is composed of a chairperson and four members. Commissioners hold a term of office of seven years without
reappointment.
The Commission on Human Rights have the following powers and functions:
1. Investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, all forms of human rights violations involving civil and political rights
2. Adopt its operational guidelines and rules of procedure, and cite for contempt for violations thereof in accordance with the
Rules of Court
3. Provide appropriate legal measures for the protection of human rights of all persons within the Philippines, as well as
Filipinos residing abroad, and provide for preventive measures and legal aid services to the under-privileged whose human
rights have been violated or need protection
4. Exercise visitorial powers over jails, prisons, or detention facilities
5. Establish a continuing program of research, education, and information to enhance respect for the primacy of human rights
6. Recommend to Congress effective measures to promote human rights and to provide for compensation to victims of
violations of human rights, or their families;
7. Monitor the Philippine Government's compliance with international treaty obligations on human rights
8. Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or whose possession of documents or other evidence is
necessary or convenient to determine the truth in any investigation conducted by it or under its authority;
9. Request the assistance of any department, bureau, office, or agency in the performance of its functions
10. Appoint its officers and employees in accordance with law
11. Perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law
The chairperson and commissioners of the commission have fixed seven-year terms that start on May 5.
Qualifications for CHR chairperson and commissioners are as follows:[18]
1. A natural-born citizen of the Philippines;
2. At least thirty-five years of age; and
3. Has not been a candidate for any elective position preceding their appointment.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, without
distinction of any kind.
with ‘principal responsibility’ for human rights in the United Nations
human rights—civil, cultural, economic, political and social
The Human Rights Council, comprising representatives of 47 Member States of the United Nations elected by the General Assembly
for fixed terms and individually by a majority of the 193 states of the UN General Assembly. Elections take place every year. Seats are
equitably distributed among the five UN regional groups, with one-third of the members being renewed each year. Each member
serves a three-year term. Membership is limited to two consecutive terms. As of December 2022, 123 of the 193 Member States of
the United Nations have served as Council members.
Rotating membership of the Council reflects the UN’s diversity and gives it legitimacy when speaking out on human rights violations
in all countries.
Members commit to upholding human rights and are expected to cooperate fully with the Council. The General Assembly may vote
to suspend a membership in the case of gross and systematic violations of human rights.
provides a multilateral forum to address human rights violations and country situations. It responds to human rights emergencies
and makes recommendations on how to better implement human rights on the ground.
The Human Rights Council, through its resolutions, mandates the OHCHR to carry out various tasks, including organising meetings
and events, preparing substantive thematic and country specific reports, and dispatching fact-finding missions and Commissions of
Inquiry.
The Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the
promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and making
recommendations on them.
Promoting universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms
It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year. It meets at
the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG).
The Human Rights Council is the main intergovernmental body within the United Nations responsible for human rights. Established in
2006 by the General Assembly, it is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.
The Council benefits from substantive, technical, and secretariat support from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR).
The Human Rights Council replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
The Council raises an alarm about urgent human rights crisis through its special sessions.
Serves as an international forum for dialogue on human rights issues with UN officials and mandated experts, states, civil society, and
other participants;
Adopts resolutions or decisions during regular sessions that express the will of the international community on given human rights
issues or situations. Adopting a resolution sends a strong political signal which can prompt governments to take action to remedy
those situations;
Reviews the human rights records of all United Nations Member States via the Universal Periodic Review;
Appoints the Special Procedures, independent human rights experts who serve as the eyes and ears of the Council by monitoring
situations in specific countries or by looking at specific themes; and
Authorizes commissions of inquiry and fact-finding missions, which produce hard-hitting evidence on war crimes and crimes against
humanity.
The Human Rights Council consists of 47 Member
African States: 13 seats
Asia-Pacific States: 13 seats
Latin American and Caribbean States: 8 seats
Western European and other States: 7 seats
Eastern European States: 6 seats
The Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity is mandated to explore ways to better protect persons who suffer
from violence and discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity, through means such as:
Assessing implementation of human rights standards
Identifying best practices and gaps
Raising awareness of these issues
Identifying and addressing the root causes of violence and discrimination
Engaging in dialogue and consulting with States and other relevant stakeholders to foster the protection of LGBT and
gender-diverse persons
Facilitating and supporting the provision of advisory services, technical assistance, capacity-building and international
cooperation to combat violence and discrimination
In the discharge of the mandate, the Independent Expert:
transmits urgent appeals and letters of allegation to States with regard to cases of violence and discrimination against
persons on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity
undertakes fact-finding country visits
submits thematic reports to the Human Rights Council, and General Assembly, on activities of the mandate, trends and
methods of work
the U.N. Commission on Human Rights-which would become the U.N. Human Rights Council in 2006.
the United Nations Human Rights Council appointed Mr. Graeme Reid as UN Independent Expert on Protection against violence and
discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity for a three-year period starting on 1 November 2023. In this capacity,
he assesses the implementation of international human rights law, raises awareness, engages in dialogue with all relevant
stakeholders, and provides advisory services, technical assistance, capacity-building to help address violence and discrimination
against persons on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
OHCHR has its headquarters in Geneva
OHCHR is funded from the United Nations regular budget—which in 2010 provided 40 per cent of resources—and from voluntary
contributions from donors, mainly Member States.
RESULTS AND RELEVANCE 1. Delivering results on poverty and sustainable development in line with mandate
Demonstrates development or humanitarian results consistent with mandate.
consideration of the poor and has broad benefit for the poorest and most vulnerable in society.
to protect and promote human rights, especially for the most vulnerable.
OHCHR is not particularly effective in using monitoring to inform program planning or delivery
OHCHR targets countries which are failing to provide the protection to its people that would enable equitable social and economic
development outcomes to be achieved.
OHCHR has a strong focus on gender equality and views the empowerment of women as central to economic and human
development.
OHCHR support for states in implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
OHCHR acts as Secretariat to the UN human rights treaty bodies that monitor and report on states’ compliance with the provisions of
the conventions.
OHCHR provides guidance, tools and training manuals for the integration of a human rights perspective into UN programs in
development, humanitarian assistance, peace and security, governance and rule of law.
OHCHR has defined three areas of focus: standard setting; monitoring; and implementation.
OHCHR is mandated by, and reports to, the UN General Assembly, which entrusts it with a high level of independence and initiative.
OHCHR provides Secretariat functions and expertise in support of the work of all of the Charter-based and Treaty-based UN Human
Rights bodies. The High Commissioner is accountable to the Secretary-General of the UN and carries out the functions assigned to
the Office under resolution 48/141 of the General Assembly.
OHCHR has developed an IT based monitoring system that includes protocols, guidelines and reporting formats.