Legal 2.2 Promoting and enforcing human rights

state

a government and the people it governs; a country

nation

a people that share a common heritage, language or culture and sometimes a common race

ratification

the process of a state formally approving a treaty, making it legally binding

Trusteeship Council

inactive since 1994 but originally responsible for overseeing the transition of United Nations trust territories to self-government after decolonisation

UN General Assembly

the UN organ representing all UN member states; it acts as a forum for global discussion and runs numerous committees and programs

UN Human Rights Council

the UN forum of member states responsible for overseeing and making recommendations on human rights in all member states

UN Security Council

the UN organ responsible for the preservation of international peace and security; it has the power to authorise military action and other measures

resolution

a decision passed by the UN General Assembly or UN Security Council; when passed by the UN Security Council, it can be legally binding on all member states

Economic and Social Council

the UN organ that acts as a forum for international economic and social cooperation and development

UN Secretariat

the UN administrative body headed by the UN Secretary-General; it contains the departments and offices of the United Nations

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

the UN human rights office responsible for monitoring and reporting on human rights worldwide

International Court of Justice

the primary judicial organ of the United Nations; it has jurisdiction to hear disputes submitted by member states and issue advisory opinions

non-government organisation (NGO)

an independent, non-profit group that often plays an important role in advocating, analysing and reporting issues worldwide (for example, human rights or the environment)

international humanitarian law

a body of international law developed from the Geneva and Hague conventions that deals with the conduct of states and individuals during armed conflict; also knwon as the law of armed conflict

monist system

a legal system that deems treaties enforceable in domestic law as soon as they have been signed

dualist system

a legal system that does not deem treaties enforceable domestically until and unless they are incorporated into domestic law, usually by passing similar legislation

incorporation

the process by which a country incorporates a treaty into domestic law

separation of powers

the division of power between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary to prevent one person or group from gaining total power

division of powers

how powers are divided between the federal and state governments

delegated legislation

laws made by people or bodies to whom parliament has delegated law-making authority

heads of power

powers listed in sections 51 and 51 of the Australian Constitution: the areas that the Commonwealth can legislate on

residual powers

a government power that is not listed in section 51 of the Australian Constitution as a legislative power of the Commonwealth Parliament, and thus belongs to the states

express rights

rights that are included (written) in a document

implied rights

rights that can be implied through the text, structure or purpose of a document