An analysis of the fifty-first session of the United Nations sub-commission on the promotion and protection of human rights

Having the ability to propose, negotiate, and adopt resolutions affords the United Nations Sub-Commission an important tool for encouraging human rights improvements and applying its thematic expertise to concrete situations. Indeed, often even a suggestion that the Sub-Commission might adopt a resolution on a country situation is enough to inspire dialogue and human rights progress. Perhaps most importantly, however, the capacity to conduct country-specific work gives the Sub-Commission a mechanism for expressing its concerns about serious human rights situations and for serving as an active and relevant voice for international human rights. It is uncertain how useful the Sub-Commission can really be, in terms of promoting and protecting human rights around the world, if it is stripped of its capacity to apply its expertise to specific countries.