BEIJING, April 8 -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has outlined his proposals for reform of the human rights machinery within the UN system. He said reforming the Human Rights body is the only way to restore public faith in the UN.

    Annan said the conduct of the United Nations' human rights body was undermining the credibility of the entire UN organization. And he urged governments to support his plan to reform it.

    "We have reached a point at which the commission's declining credibility has cast a shadow on the reputation of the United Nations system as a whole and where piecemeal reforms will not be enough or will not do, " said Annan. 

    Annan made the remark at the UN Commission on Human Rights, which is holding its annual six-week session at its Geneva headquarters.

    Launched some 60 years ago, the commission is the UN's main mechanism for monitoring respect for human rights around the world. But critics say in-fighting, and its inability to act firmly in the face of clear abuse, have eroded its authority.

    The secretary-general has proposed major changes to the three central pillars of the UN human rights system -- the treaty bodies, the Office of the High Commissioner and the inter-governmental mechanism. He is proposing that the seven treaty bodies be streamlined and strengthened so as to better carry out their mandates as independent guardians of rights and protections negotiated and accepted over the years.

    Annan also called for the commission to be replaced by a smaller Human Rights Council, whose members would be elected by the UN General Assembly.The commission is currently made up of representatives from 53 countries nominated by regional groupings.

(Source: CCTV.com)