Authority

The Introduction began with a discussion of the UNHRC passing a resolution in 2011 calling for the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights to investigate the human rights records of all member states. The fact that the particular form of discrimination being investigated concerns sexual orientation has made this resolution more controversial than others. Indeed, any resolution that requests such an investigation could be deemed controversial, for it infringes on the prerogatives of sovereignty, the ability of nation-states to determine their own policies concerning the rights of their citizens. On what basis can an organ of the UN claim such authority?