UGC-NET (NTA) Human Rights and Duties, December-2023

The increase in the number of UN Security Council members from 11 to 15 came into force in 1965. This change was enacted to accommodate the growing number of United Nations member states following widespread decolonization in Africa and Asia.
Expanding the council allowed for more representative and equitable participation from various geographical regions, enhancing its legitimacy and effectiveness in addressing international security issues.

The Supreme Court of India explicitly recognized the precautionary principle as a part of Indian environmental law in the case of Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum v. Union of India.
This landmark judgment emphasized the importance of the precautionary principle, which states that when there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation.

The Mandal Commission recommended reservation for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in India. Established in 1979 under the chairmanship of B.P. Mandal, it was tasked with identifying the socially or educationally backward classes of India and recommending measures to improve their status.
The commission's report suggested that OBCs should be given reservations in government jobs and educational institutions to rectify historical injustices and societal imbalances.

A special session of the UN General Assembly may be called by the Secretary General as occasion may require, as provided for under Article 20 of the UN Charter.
This provision allows for the convening of special sessions to address urgent or important matters outside the regular annual sessions of the General Assembly, ensuring that the international community can respond promptly to global issues as they arise.

The final proclamation of the International Human Rights Conference held in Teheran in 1968 declares that "since human rights and fundamental freedoms are indivisible, the full realization of civil and political rights without the enjoyment of economic, social, and cultural rights is impossible".
This statement from the Teheran Proclamation highlighted the interconnected nature of all categories of human rights, underscoring the necessity for a comprehensive approach to human rights promotion and protection.

The Government of India Act of 1919 made provision for the establishment of a public.service commission. This act marked a significant step in administrative reforms under the British Raj, aiming to improve the structure and functioning of government services in India.
The establishment of a public service commission was intended to ensure a more efficient and transparent process for the recruitment of civil servants.

The covenants to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and their authentic texts in other languages are deposited in the United Nations Archives.
This ensures that official records and historical documents related to international agreements and declarations, like the UDHR, are preserved and accessible for reference and verification, supporting transparency and accountability in international law.

The basic reason for the class action petition known as Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan was the absence of statutory law for the prevention of sexual harassment of women at the workplace.
This landmark case was brought forward because there were no specific legal provisions to address and prevent sexual harassment, leading to the Supreme Court establishing guidelines that later paved the way for formal legislation.

The African Committee on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) is based in Gambia. This committee is a crucial body within the African Union system, tasked with promoting and protecting human rights and collective rights throughout the African continent.
It also interprets the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and considers individual complaints of violations of the Charter.

Article 71 of the UN Charter authorizes the UN Economic and Social Council to make suitable arrangements with NonGovernmental Organizations for consultation.
This article provides the legal basis for the inclusion of NGOs in the consultation process, recognizing their vital role in representing a wide range of interests and expertise in economic and social issues.
This partnership helps the council in its work to promote international economic and social cooperation and development.