Development Committee

OHCHR

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

About the Committee

From its very establishment, the United Nations has aimed to defend the rights and freedoms bestowed equally upon all individuals of every race, gender, ethnicity and belief, as dictated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. No agency represents this interest better than the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which functions as the leading international entity when it comes to the monitoring, promotion and enforcement of civil liberties, all across the globe. Since 1993, it has investigated allegations of human rights abuses in countless countries, working with governments and international organizations alike to stop them in accordance with humanitarian law. The OHCHR supports states by assisting them in the creation of legal frameworks and monitoring mechanisms that will help detect and punish those violating human rights, before their actions can grow into genuine humanitarian issues. It also empowers them to speak up and debate these matters through the Human Rights Council, the largest subsidiary body of the OHCHR, and an important actor when it comes to devising new ways to safeguard human rights without discrimination or injustice.

In line with Koç JMUN 2026’s theme, “Rebuilding Institutional Credibility in a Time of Volatile Dissension,” the OHCHR will need to pair advocacy with impartiality, in order to restore trust in humanitarian institutions. With agenda items focused on upholding human rights during political and military crises, delegates will need to take rapid action to protect civilians against grievous harm, while fulfilling all of the OHCHR’s responsibilities. Nevertheless, it will be up to delegates to decide whether they want to implement gradual reform, or to directly engage in these issues through heavy intervention.