ABSTRACT
This chapter seeks to assess the effectiveness of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) over the last two decades or so in protecting and promoting human rights. The functions of the High Commissioner can broadly be put in the following four categories: support for human rights standard-setting, monitoring, supporting implementation and human rights advocacy. One of the crucial factors for the effectiveness and independence of any institution is its funding, and the Office of the High Commissioner is no exception. However, the process of appointment of the High Commissioner is opaque and is dominated more by political considerations of leading Western countries. The Office of the High Commissioner has overall responsibility to coordinate the activities of UN human rights agencies as well as the human rights activities of the entire UN system. The position is designed to provide constructive criticism of governmental policy, rather than providing any redress to victims of human rights.
