UNHCR - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

1)   UNHCR has appointed whom as an adviser on human rights and MNCs and businesses?

a. Surya Deva
b. Deva Sen
c. Amartya Sen
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Surya Deva

Explanation:
Indian origin law professor Surya Deva has been appointed by Geneva based UNHCR as an adviser on human rights and MNCs and businesses. Council approved his appointment to the position of a Special Procedure Mandate Holder and member of the 4 member working group on human rights and transnational corporations as well as other business enterprises.


2)   Filippo Grandi has been appointed at which UN post succeeding António Guterres?

a. UN High Commissioner for Refugees
b. Deputy Special Representative, UNAMA
c. UN High Commissioner at UNICEF
d. High Commissioner for UNESCO
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Explanation:
Grandi is a 58 year old Italian diplomat who has worked in international affairs for the past 30 years, 27 of which were in the UN. He was previously the head of UN relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. He has also worked in the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan as the Deputy Special Representative. Guterres has been occupying the post since 2005.


3)   Which Asian country failed to win a re-election to UNHRC on 30th October 2015?

a. China
b. Pakistan
c. Japan
d. Bangladesh
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Pakistan

Explanation:
Pakistan failed to win a re-election to the top human rights body, United Nations Human Rights Council through a secret ballot. They gained just 105 votes in a General Assembly of 193 members. Around 18 members were elected to the council through a secret ballot. Pakistan’s current term in the 47 member Council will expire on December 31. The new members starting a three-year terms from January 1 next year, are Belgium, Burundi, Cd’Ivoire, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Georgia, Germany, Kenya, Panama, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Togo, Slovenia, Switzerland, UAE and Venezuela. India is a UNHCR member and its term will expire in 2017.