The United Nations and human rights

In short: The United Nations (UN) was founded in 1945 to secure world peace and promote cooperation among states. Almost all states are members, now 193. The seat is New York.

In more detail: In 1948 the General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is regarded as the basis of international human rights protection, but is not a binding treaty.

In detail

• Organs: General Assembly (all members), Security Council (15 members, five permanent with veto: USA, Russia, China, France, United Kingdom), Secretariat, International Court of Justice.
• Specialised agencies: WHO (health), UNESCO (education and culture), UNICEF (children), FAO (food).
• Peacekeeping: Blue-helmet missions in crisis areas.
• Sustainability goals: 17 goals to 2030 (SDGs), including poverty, education, climate.
• Human rights: Right to life, liberty, equality, freedom of expression, protection from torture.
• Limits: The UN has no army of its own and depends on its members (kalter-krieg-und-deutsche-teilung).