INTERNATIONAL
LAW AND WOMEN'S HUMAN RIGHTS
Every person is entitled to certain fundamental human rights by virtue
of being human. Both the United Nations and regional
human rights organizations, such as the Council of Europe, have
specifically recognized the human rights of women and the corresponding
obligations of national
government to protect and promote such rights.
Women’s human rights are enumerated by treaties, conventions,
resolutions and declarations, promulgated by either the United
Nations or a regional human rights body. Treaties are formally
adopted by national governments and then create legally binding
obligations for those governments. Every state which has ratified
a human rights treaty internal link to country-specific pages
must ensure that the human rights of its citizens are protected-
meaning the government commits to both avoid and prohibit actions
that violate human rights and also to undertake positive steps
to ensure that such violations do not take place.
Under international law, specific enforcement bodies, usually specialized
agencies, committees or special raporteurs, monitor a nation’s
human rights situation. These bodies also review reports and complaints
about human rights violations, generally submitted by non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) but also sometimes by individuals.