UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : International Relations MCQs on Gofa zone, Beijing Declaration, UNHRC and more (Week 68)

1. It is an intergovernmental body responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.

2. It meets at the United Nations Office in Geneva.

3. It reviews the human rights records of all United Nations Member States.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

— The UN Human Rights Committee raised concerns over alleged discrimination and violence against minority groups in India.

— In a recent report, the committee highlighted the plight of Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and LGBTQI individuals as well as application of counter-terrorism legislation for decades in some districts of the country.

— It is an intergovernmental body responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— It is in charge of bolstering global efforts to promote and defend human rights.

— The 47-member Council offers a multilateral forum for discussing national circumstances and breaches of human rights.

— It offers suggestions on how to more effectively apply human rights in practice and react to emergencies involving human rights.

— It convenes in UNOG, the United Nations Office in Geneva. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

Responsibilities

— Provides a global platform for discussion of human rights concerns with representatives of the United Nations

— Adopts resolutions or judgements at regular sessions that represent the global community’s position on certain human rights matters or circumstances.

— Calls special sessions, or crisis meetings, to address pressing human rights issues.

— Review each United Nations Member State’s human rights record. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: http://www.ohchr.org)

QUESTION 2

Consider the following pairs:

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Explanation

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

The place”Gofa zone” was in news recently. It is located in:

(a) Tunisia

(b) Egypt

(c) Ethiopia

(d) Libya

Explanation

— The death toll from two landslides in southern Ethiopia has jumped to 229 and could rise further as the search for survivors and casualties continues into a second day.

— A landslide buried people in Gofa zone in Southern Ethiopia regional state on Sunday night, and then a second one engulfed others who had gathered to help on Monday morning.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

Consider the following groups:

1. Hamas

2. Fatah

3. Palestinian Arab Front

4. Palestinian Democratic Union

Which of the groups given above have recently signed the Beijing Declaration on “ending division and strengthening Palestinian unity”?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 4 only

(d) 3 and 4 only

Explanation

— In Beijing, the Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah issued a statement resolving their long-standing disagreement.

— The two parties reportedly signed the Beijing Declaration for “ending division and strengthening Palestinian unity,” according to official broadcaster CCTV.

— Since Hamas violently overthrew Fatah forces in Gaza and took control of the region in 2007, there have been several rounds of unity discussions between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. However, every time attempts at unification have been dashed by the fierce power struggle between the groups and the West’s insistence on not accepting any administration that includes Hamas unless it explicitly recognises Israel.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

Consider the following statements about the United Nations Security Council (UNSC):

1. It determines the presence of a threat to the peace or an act of violence and suggests an appropriate response.

2. Each of its member states assumes its presidency for a duration of six months.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— The significant roles of the UNSC broadly include maintaining international peace in accordance with the principles and purposes of the United Nations and to determine the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression and to recommend what action should be taken.” Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The Council President exercises a vast range of powers such as holding meetings of the Security Council, approving provisional agendas, signing records of the meetings, besides other crucial decisions.

— Each of its 15 member states assumes its presidency for a duration of one month, following the English alphabetical order. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— India’s programme of work (PoW) includes briefings, consultations and reports on global developments in Syria, Libya, the Middle East, Colombia, South Sudan, and Congo among others.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 68)

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 68)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 68)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 68)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 67)

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