COUNCILS

1. DISEC: DISARMAMENT AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY (DISEC)

Description: The First Committee is one of six main committees at the General Assembly of the United Nations which deals with matters concerning world peace. The First Committee handles all matters on Disarmament and International Security (DISEC).

2. LEGAL COMMITTEE

Method of work:

The Sixth Committee has universal membership, that is, all states member of the United Nations are de iure members of the Sixth committee. Non member states with observer status in the General Assembly such as Switzerland, before its ascension to the UN, and the Holy See may attend and participate in the discussions. The Sixth Committee is led by a chairman assisted by three vice-chairmen and a rapporteur. The chairman must conduct the formal meetings, propose the program of work, and solve any procedural hurdles that may rise. The Bureau seeks to ensure that the negotiations conclude with a positive outcome.^[2]

The Sixth Committee meets every year from late September to late November, in parallel with the General Assembly’s annual session. At the beginning of the session, the General Assembly assigns to the Sixth Committee a list of agenda items to be discussed. Those items usually include the annual reports of the International Law Commission, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, the Ad Hoc Committee established by Resolution 51/210 of 17 December 1996 on Terrorism, the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization and the Host Country Committee, as well as the item Measures to Eliminate International terrorism.^[3] Following a formal discussion and the negotiation of any proposals, any recommendation adopted by the Sixth Committee is then submitted to the Plenary of the General Assembly for its final adoption. If a particular issue is of great technical complexity, the Sixth Committee may refer it to the International Law Commission or it may create a special subsidiary body to discuss it.^[4] The Sixth Committee follows a "mixed decision-making rule, where consensus is preferred but were a vote is still possible,"^[5] that is, that while the Committee may take its decisions by voting, most resolutions are adopted though without a formal vote, by acclamation, unanimity, or consensus.

3. UNHRC: UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCILS

Descriptions:

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations System. The UNHRC is the successor to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR, herein CHR), and is a subsidiary body of the United Nations General Assembly. The council works closely with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and engages the United Nations' Special procedures.

The General Assembly established the UNHRC by adopting a resolution (A/RES/60/251) on 15 March 2006, in order to replace the previous CHR, which had been heavily criticised for allowing countries with poor human rights records to be members.^[1][2]

Their tasks:

As the principal United Nations office mandated to promote and protect human rights for all, OHCHR leads global human rights efforts speaks out objectively in the face of human rights violations worldwide. We provide a forum for identifying, highlighting and developing responses to today's human rights challenges, and act as the principal focal point of human rights research, education, public information, and advocacy activities in the United Nations system.

Since Governments have the primary responsibility to protect human rights, the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) provides assistance to Governments, such as expertise and technical trainings in the areas of administration of justice, legislative reform, and electoral process, to help implement international human rights standards on the ground. We also assist other entities with responsibility to protect human rights to fulfil their obligations and individuals to realize their rights.

4. IMO: INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION

Description:

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), known as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) until 1982,^[3]was established in Geneva in 1948,^[4] and came into force ten years later, meeting for the first time in 1959.

Headquartered in London, United Kingdom, the IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations with 170 Member States and three Associate Members.^[3] The IMO's primary purpose is to develop and maintain a comprehensive regulatory framework for shipping and its remit today includes safety, environmental concerns, legal matters, technical co-operation, maritime security and the efficiency of shipping. IMO is governed by an Assembly of members and is financially administered by a Council of members elected from the Assembly. The work of IMO is conducted through five committees and these are supported by technical subcommittees. Member organizations of the UN organizational family may observe the proceedings of the IMO. Observer status is granted to qualified non-governmental organizations. The IMO is supported by a permanent secretariat of employees who are representative of its members. The secretariat is composed of a Secretary-General who is periodically elected by the Assembly, and various divisions such as those for marine safety, environmental protection, and a conference section.