The Development of the High Commissioner Proposal

Abstract

This Chapter discusses the origins and development of the present proposal. Not a great deal will be said at this stage about the attitudes of member states since this will be dealt with in some detail in Chapters 5 and 7. But it should be apparent from what follows that a number of important NGOs have been very active in urging the acceptance of the proposal, even if it is not as far-reaching as they would like. Indeed, one distinguished NGO member,¹ speaking in the context of the failure of the High Commissioner proposal, or of any other proposal for an effective enforcement procedure, to make any progress during Human Rights Year, 1968, has noted the “marked difference” between the approaches of governments and of NGOs. He sees a “growing conflict... between the conservatism of most governments in regard to human rights and the importance and urgency which the non-governmental sector attaches to the more effective protection of human rights. It is a clear indication that public opinion is far in advance of the official governmental attitude.”