ABSTRACT
Although international human rights should give hope to those whose rights are neglected and mechanisms to make their voices heard, the reality is somewhat different. This chapter examines the range of options offered by the United Nations to make those voices heard. Two mechanisms of the Human Rights Council are of relevance: the Special Procedures and Universal Periodic Review. One offers expert individual dialogues and assessment; the other a public, if diplomatic, critique. Also examined are the functions of treaty-monitoring bodies which oversee state compliance with ratified treaties, often expressing criticisms and recommendations in stronger terms than other United Nations mechanisms.
