Context:
UNHRC adopted first Resolution of its kind for Intersex Right
Intersex People:
- Intersex People – People born with sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies. (May have any gender identity or sexual orientation)
- Population – 1.7 % of the population are born with intersex traits.
- Transgenders – Transgenders are different from intersex people
- They are born with unambiguous sexual characteristics (either male or female) that don’t match the person’s gender identity.
- Key issues – Stereotypes and pathologization (treating intersex persons as necessarily ill or disordered), infanticide, forced and coercive medical interventions, legal recognition, etc.
UNHRC (United Nations Human Rights Council):
- UNHRC – It is the main intergovernmental body within the United Nations for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights
- It replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
- Established in – 2006 by UN General Assembly.
- Secretariat – Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) serves as the Secretariat of UNHRC
- OHCHR Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland.
- Mandate – To review the human rights records of all UN Member States via the Universal Periodic Review
- Membership – 47 member states which are elected by the UN General Assembly (UNGA)
- Membership is based on – Equitable geographical distribution.
- 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
- Tenure – Members of the Council serve for a period of 3 years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving 2 consecutive terms.
Source: UNHRC
Previous Year Question
With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements:
1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision.
2. It traditionally meets in March, June and September every year.
3. It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) 3 only
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1 and 2
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect. A credential committee is appointed at the beginning of each regular session of UN General Assembly.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The committee usually meets in November.
