High Commissioner/'s Strategic Management Plan 2008 2009

High Commissioner’s
Strategic Management Plan
2008-2009

Prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Design and Desktop Publishing by Latitudesign, Nyon, Switzerland
Printed by SRO-Kundig, Geneva
Cover photos by: UNHCR/J. Redfern, Vincent Winter, UNHCR/J. Leduc, UN Photo/J. Isaac
The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this report do not imply the expression
of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights concerning
the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation ofits
frontiers or boundaries.

Table of Contents
Mission Statement ............................................................................................................
5
Foreword by the High Commissioner .................................................................................
7
About OHCHR ...............................................................................................................
8
PART 1 – OHCHR’s STRATEGIC PRIORITIES ........................................................................
13
Introduction .......................................................................................................................................
14
Changes in the global and organizational context – opportunities and challenges for OHCHR ...................
15
Human rights challenges .....................................................................................................................
17
OHCHR’s strategies ............................................................................................................................
20
Key achievements and lessons learned .................................................................................................
22
Expected accomplishments and key indicators .......................................................................................
24
PART 2 – OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK ...................................................................
27
Supporting human rights bodies and organs ..........................................................................................
28
Supporting human rights fact-finding procedures .....................................................................................
31
Human rights mainstreaming, right to development, research and analysis ................................................
37
Advisory services and technical cooperation ..........................................................................................
42
Field activities .....................................................................................................................................
45
OHCHR in Africa ......................................................................................................................
47
OHCHR in Asia and the Pacific ...................................................................................................
64
OHCHR in the Middle East and North Africa .................................................................................
77
OHCHR in Europe, North America and Central Asia.......................................................................
84
OHCHR in Latin America and the Caribbean .................................................................................
91
Voluntary funds administered by OHCHR............................................................................................... 101
Cross-cutting support............................................................................................................................ 103
Rapid Response to emerging human rights crises ............................................................................. 103
Results-based and knowledge management ................................................................................... 103
Excellence in management .................................................................................................................. 105
PART 3 – BUDGET AND FUNDING REQUIREMENTS........................................................... 107
ANNEXES ..................................................................................................................... 114
Structure of OHCHR ............................................................................................................................ 114
List of acronyms .................................................................................................................................. 116
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
3

Mission statement
The mission of the Office of the United Nations High
OHCHR, a part of the United Nations Secretariat, is
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is to work for
guided in its work by the mandate provided by the
the protection of all human rights for all people; to help
General Assembly in resolution 48/141, the Charter of
empower people to realize their rights; and to assist
the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human
those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring
Rights and subsequent human rights instruments, the
that they are implemented. In carrying out its mission
1993 Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, and
OHCHR will:
the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document.
Operationally, OHCHR works with governments, legisla-
• Give priority to addressing the most pressing
tures, courts, national institutions, civil society, regional
human rights violations, both acute and chronic,
and international organizations, and the United Nations
particularly those that put life in imminent peril;
system to develop and strengthen capacity, particularly
• Focus attention on those who are at risk and
at the national level, for the protection of human rights
vulnerable on multiple fronts;
in accordance with international norms.
• Pay equal attention to the realization of civil,
Institutionally, OHCHR is committed to strengthening
cultural, economic, political, and social rights,
the United Nations human rights programme and to
including the right to development; and
providing it with the highest quality support. OHCHR is
• Measure the impact of its work through the
committed to working closely with its United Nations
substantive benefit that is accrued, through it,
partners to ensure that human rights form the bedrock
to individuals around the world.
of the work of the United Nations.
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
5

Foreword by the High Commissioner
I am very pleased to present the second Strategic Management Plan of my Office,
which will cover 2008-2009. Much has changed during the previous biennium. What
was just a reform blueprint for the human rights machinery at the end of 2005 has
become a reality in 2006-2007 with the creation of the Human Rights Council in
June 2006 and the growth and consolidation of OHCHR’s work.
The Human Rights Council, which replaced the Commission on Human Rights, has
already laid the foundations for its institutional procedures. My Office has assisted the
Council along each step of this endeavour. Servicing this new body has been a challeng-
ing experience which has placed increased demands on OHCHR’s human and financial
resources. This work will continue to expand as the Council embarks on the Universal
Periodic Review (UPR), an ambitious exercise through which all UN Member States will
be examined periodically for their human rights records. The UPR is potentially the first
universal tool for monitoring the application of the principles expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the
60th anniversary of which falls on 10 December 2008. OHCHR has already played a significant role in helping to set up the
review mechanism and is preparing to support the process throughout its successful implementation.
Events in the previous biennium have affected OHCHR in many other ways, as we tackled the challenges to the
enjoyment of human rights that I had identified in my 2005 Plan of Action, namely impunity, poverty and global
inequalities, discrimination, armed conflict and violence, and democratic deficits and weak institutions. We will stay
the course in our work, in line with the strategies we have pursued in 2006 and 2007 – country engagement, leader-
ship, partnerships and work with UN human rights mechanisms – which will continue to be the basis for our activities
in 2008-2009. OHCHR equipped itself for this effort by strengthening its planning, monitoring and evaluation capacity
with the creation of a section dedicated to policy, planning, monitoring and evaluation; by reinforcing management
systems; by increasing staff by 45 per cent between the end of 2005 and September 2007; by expanding field pres-
ences, which were located in 47 countries by the end of 2007; by creating a fully-fledged communications section, as
well as four new units – rapid response, women’s human rights and gender, civil society, and right to development;
by more visible leadership; as well as by enhancing partnerships with UN agencies and civil society. With better
planning and a stronger focus on results, we are confident that we will make the most of our resources to achieve
our objectives and meet the expectations of our stakeholders and partners.
OHCHR receives significant funding from the UN regular budget, and the 2005 World Summit made a commitment
to a doubling of OHCHR’s share of the UN regular budget within five years. Although the Office’s share of the regular
budget has grown in recent years, the amount it receives covers only approximately one third of its overall funding
needs. OHCHR needs additional support to carry out its full programme of work. Donors’ generosity has allowed us to
expand our programmes, including by bolstering our field presences, which are almost completely financed by volun-
tary contributions. In 2008-2009, OHCHR faces the challenge of sustaining further growth in voluntary contributions.
We will also reach out to new donors in an effort to broaden our funding base. During 2008, I would like to appeal to
all Member States to contribute to OHCHR.
The 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights represents an opportunity for all in the United
Nations family to commit with renewed vigour to the principles and standards embodied in it and to support the
mechanisms, including OHCHR, that are mandated to facilitate this task. Helping to make justice and equality a reality
for all must be our pre-eminent objective if we truly are to honour the spirit and the letter of the Declaration and the
commitments to human rights reiterated at the 2005 World Summit. By taking full advantage of, and investing in, the
mechanisms at our disposal, we can pursue our responsibility to protect and empower rights-holders with the urgency
and sense of priority that their rights and needs deserve.
Louise Arbour
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
7

About OHCHR
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner
METHOD
for Human Rights (OHCHR) has lead responsibility for
implementing the United Nations human rights
High Commissioner Louise Arbour, who was appointed
programme. The international community has given
in July 2004, established her Office’s priorities in a key
OHCHR a mandate to promote and protect human rights
strategic document – the 2005 Plan of Action, the imple-
around the world. Headed by the High Commissioner for
mentation of which is detailed in consecutive two-year
Human Rights, a position established by the UN General
strategic management plans. Key priorities include
Assembly in 1993, OHCHR works to build awareness of
greater country engagement, which involves working
and respect for human rights – empowering individuals
closely with OHCHR’s partners at the regional, country
to claim their rights and assisting States to uphold them.
and local levels in order to ensure that international
OHCHR, a part of the United Nations Secretariat, is
human rights standards are implemented on the ground;
headquartered in Geneva.
a stronger leadership role for the High Commissioner;
closer partnerships with civil society and UN agencies;
and greater synergy with UN human rights bodies.
MANDATE OF THE OFFICE OF THE
UNITED NATIONS HIGH
OHCHR’s method of work focuses on three dimensions:
human rights standard setting, monitoring, and imple-
COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
mentation on the ground. OHCHR works to offer the
best expertise and substantive and secretariat support
to the various UN human rights bodies as they discharge
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is
their standard-setting and monitoring duties. In the
mandated by General Assembly resolution 48/141 to be the
first instance, OHCHR serves as the Secretariat of the
United Nations official with “principal responsibility” for United
Human Rights Council. The Council, composed of State
Nations human rights activities, with the mandate:
representatives, is the key UN intergovernmental body
responsible for human rights. It addresses violations,
• To promote and protect all human rights for all
reviews States’ human rights records, works to prevent
• To make recommendations to the competent bodies of the
human rights abuses, responds to emergencies, serves as
United Nations system for improving promotion and
an international forum for human rights dialogue, and
protection of all human rights
makes recommendations to the General Assembly for
• To promote and protect the right to development
the further development of international human rights
• To provide technical assistance for human rights
law. OHCHR also supports the work of the special
• To coordinate United Nations human rights education and
procedures of the Council to monitor human rights in
public information programmes
different countries or in relation to specific issues.
• To play an active role in removing obstacles to the
OHCHR assists these independent experts as they conduct
realization of human rights
visits to the field, receive and consider complaints
• To play an active role in preventing the continuation of
from victims of human rights violations, and appeal to
human rights violations
governments on behalf of victims.
• To engage in dialogue with governments with a view to
securing respect for all human rights
Another example of the standard-setting and monitoring
• To enhance international cooperation
dimensions of OHCHR’s work is the legal research and
• To coordinate human rights promotion and protection
secretariat support it provides to the core human rights
activities throughout the United Nations system
treaty bodies. These committees are composed of inde-
• To rationalize, adapt, strengthen and streamline the United
pendent experts and monitor States parties’ compliance
Nations human rights machinery
with their treaty obligations. They meet regularly to
examine reports from States parties and issue recommen-
dations. Some of these committees, such as the Human
Rights Committee, which monitors implementation of the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, also
consider individual complaints against violations of treaty
provisions. These decisions help to build jurisprudence on
international human rights law. The general comments
issued by treaty bodies also form part of the body of
interpretations of international human rights treaties.
8
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009

ABOUT OHCHR
Over the years, OHCHR has increased its presence in
provides substantive secretariat support to the Human
the field, reaching out to the people who need protection
Rights Council, the treaty bodies and various working
the most. OHCHR’s field offices and presences play an
groups; the Special Procedures Division, which supports
essential role in identifying, highlighting and developing
the work of the Council’s independent experts assigned
responses to human rights violations in close collabora-
different thematic or country-specific mandates (special
tion with governments, the UN system and civil society.
procedures mandate-holders); the Field Operations and
Such responses include implementing projects, such as
Technical Cooperation Division, responsible for oversee-
providing technical training and support in the areas
ing and implementing OHCHR’s work in the field; and
of administration of justice, legislative reform, human
the Research and Right to Development Division, which
rights treaty ratification, and human rights education.
carries out thematic research on human rights issues
These programmes are designed in cooperation with
and provides expert advice. For a current organization
Member States.
chart, please refer to page 115.
STRUCTURE
STAFF
Headquartered in Geneva, OHCHR has an office at the
To implement its comprehensive mandate, by November
United Nations in New York, and a global network of
2007 OHCHR employed more than 920 staff – 53 per cent
country and regional offices (see map on pages 10-11).
of whom worked in 11 country offices and nine regional
Under the guidance of the Executive Office of the High
offices around the world. It also supported an additional
Commissioner, and supported by a number of units and
workforce of over 420 international human rights officers
sections that report to the Deputy High Commissioner,
serving in UN peace missions, and 13 human rights
the substantive work of OHCHR is undertaken by four
advisers in UN Country Teams in the field.
divisions: the Treaties and Council Division, which
HISTORY
The United Nations human rights programme has grown
Day. The Universal Declaration, together with the International
considerably since its modest beginnings some 60 years ago.
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its two Optional
Organizationally, it started with a small division in the United
Protocols, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Nations Secretariat in New York in the 1940s. The division later
Cultural Rights, form the International Bill of Human Rights.
moved to Geneva and was upgraded to the Centre for Human
Rights in the 1980s. At the World Conference on Human Rights in
Along with the development of international human rights law,
1993, the international community decided to establish a more
a number of UN human rights bodies were established to respond
robust human rights institution with stronger institutional support.
to changing human rights challenges. These bodies, which rely on
Member States of the United Nations thus created the mandate of
OHCHR for substantive and secretariat support, can be either
the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights by a
Charter-based (political bodies composed of State representatives
General Assembly resolution in 1993. At the 2005 UN World
with mandates established by the United Nations Charter) or
Summit, Heads of State from around the world committed
treaty-based (committees composed of independent experts,
themselves to an historic expansion of the UN human rights
established by international human rights treaties and mandated to
programme and recognized the importance of ensuring a human
monitor States Parties’ compliance with their treaty obligations).
rights approach in all aspects of the work of the UN system.
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights, which was
established in 1946 and reported to the Economic and Social
The growth in UN human rights activities reflects the increasing
Council, was the key UN intergovernmental body responsible for
strength of the international human rights movement since the
human rights until it was replaced by the Human Rights Council in
General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human
2006. In addition to assuming the mandates and responsibilities
Rights on 10 December 1948. Drafted as “a common standard of
previously entrusted to the Commission, the newly created Council,
achievement for all peoples and nations”, the Declaration sets out
which reports directly to the General Assembly, is also charged
basic civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights that all
with making recommendations to the General Assembly to develop
human beings should enjoy. Over time, this unprecedented
international human rights law and undertaking a Universal
affirmation of human rights has become widely accepted as the
Periodic Review of each State’s adherence to its human rights
standard to which all governments should adhere. Indeed,
obligations and commitments. OHCHR provides substantive and
10 December is observed worldwide as International Human Rights
secretariat support to the Human Rights Council.
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
9

OHCHR at a glance
NEW YORK
Mexico
Haiti
Guatemala
Dakar, Senegal (West Africa)*
Nicaragua
Guinea*
Panama
Guyana
Guinea-Bissau
Colombia
Sierra Leone
Ecuador
Liberia
Côte d’Ivoire
Togo
Yaoundé, Cameroon
(Central Africa)
Bolivia
Santiago, Chile
Headquarters
(Latin America)
Country offices
Regional offices
Human rights components
of peace missions
Human rights advisers
in United Nations Country Teams
* Planned office

Russian Federation
Kosovo
Moldova*
South Caucasus*
GENEVA
Serbia
Georgia/
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
FYR Macedonia
Abkhazia
(Central Asia)*
Beirut, Lebanon
Afghanistan
(Middle East)
Iraq
Nepal
Occupied Palestinian
Territory
Qatar
Philippines*
Sudan
Niger*
Bangkok, Thailand
Chad*
Ethiopia/Eritrea
(South East Asia)
Cambodia
Central African Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Republic
(East Africa)
Sri Lanka
Somalia
Maldives
Uganda
Rwanda
Burundi
Great Lakes*
Indonesia
Timor-Leste
Angola
Democratic
Republic
of the Congo
Pretoria, South Africa
(Southern Africa)
Papua New Guinea*
Suva, Fiji
(Pacific)

PART 1
OHCHR’S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
© UN/Nori Mahdi

PART 1
OHCHR’S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
INTRODUCTION
the Office’s performance could be measured. During the
past biennium OHCHR put a strong emphasis on
In 2005, the Secretary-General’s report, In Larger
strengthening its capacity to carry out its comprehensive
Freedom, set out the basis for reforming the United
mandate, as reflected in the Office-wide expected accom-
Nations, putting human rights as a fundamental
plishments and planned outputs for 2006-2007. Thus,
prerequisite for achieving development and security.
the Office increased its staffing by 45% (from 639 to 927
As called for in the report, the Office of the High
people), resulting in a significant expansion of its pres-
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) presented its
ence in the field, stronger thematic expertise, and ability
Plan of Action for the following five to six years. Building
to link up with other institutions, including those of civil
on the Secretary-General’s assertion that much more
society, to advance the human rights agenda. It also sig-
needs to be done by the international community to
nificantly developed its communication, planning and
address threats to human rights, the Plan presented a
administration capacity, with the creation of dedicated
strategic vision for the future direction of the Office. It
sections and units.
made the case for greater involvement not just in setting
international human rights norms but also in ensuring
With an enhanced technical and managerial capacity to
that they are actually implemented on the ground –
discharge its broad mandate, and building on the lessons
both through more widespread monitoring and public
learned from the first two years of implementation of
reporting of human rights violations and through
its Plan of Action, the work of OHCHR over the next
providing sustained technical assistance and advice to
biennium will be characterized by
governments and others at the country level. The inte-
gration of human rights into United Nations develop-
• continuity in its overall strategic direction;
ment, peace and humanitarian activities is an important
element of the Plan.
• sharpening the operationalization of the strategies
that guide its work in order to achieve greater
The Plan of Action also identified the main issues that
efficiency, taking into account the changes that
posed a challenge to the full realization of human rights
have occurred in the United Nations and the global
throughout the world – impunity, poverty and global
human rights environment;
inequities, discrimination, armed conflict and violence,
democratic deficits and weak institutions. In addition,
• focusing on implementing, monitoring and reporting
it highlighted the main gaps in implementing human
on the results expected to be achieved at the national,
rights on the ground: knowledge, capacity, commitment
regional and global levels, with increased coherence
and security. The Plan also outlined the strategic priori-
and consistency across the Office.
ties guiding the work of the Office in addressing these
challenges and gaps and fulfilling the objectives of
During the two-year period of this SMP, OHCHR will
protecting people and empowering them to realise their
therefore
rights: greater country engagement; enhanced leader-
ship role for the High Commissioner; closer partnerships
• continue to demonstrate its leadership through
with others within and outside the UN system; provid-
advocacy and the generation of debate within the
ing strong, high-calibre support for UN human rights
UN system, as well as with governments and civil
mechanisms; and strengthening OHCHR’s internal
society on the benefits of integrating human rights
management.
into efforts to achieve development, peace and security.
In this regard, the campaign on the 60th anniversary
At the 2005 World Summit, Heads of State took note of
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights initiated
the High Commissioner’s Plan of Action and committed
by the Secretary-General and supported by the Office,
themselves to the expansion of the United Nations
in which all UN agencies, funds and programmes
human rights programme. To support the implementa-
will participate to promote the rights relevant to their
tion of the Plan, the General Assembly approved the
respective mandates, will be an important tool to
doubling, over five years, of the funding the Office receives
advance the human rights agenda worldwide;
from the United Nations’ regular budget.
• focus on a better articulation of its country engagement
The SMP for 2006-2007 articulated, for the first time in a
strategy with a clearer definition of the roles, comple-
single document, the full range of OHCHR strategies and
mentarity and coordination between the different types
interventions, and presented indicators against which
of field presences and with Headquarters;
14
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009

OHCHR’S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
• strengthen the partnerships it has forged with UN
CHANGES IN THE GLOBAL AND
agencies and Country Teams, on the basis of the lessons
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT –
drawn from the evaluation of human rights main-
OPPORTUNITIES AND
streaming scheduled in late 2007 and early 2008, and
CHALLENGES FOR OHCHR
create new partnerships with civil society and state
institutions, to leverage additional resources and results;
Since the formulation of the High Commissioner’s Plan
of Action, important gains in human rights have been
• reinforce its interaction with UN human rights
achieved. Member States have proclaimed a global “respon-
mechanisms, placing special emphasis on the
sibility to protect” and acknowledged that human rights
upcoming Universal Periodic Review of all countries
are integral to development, peace and security. They have
by the Human Rights Council as an opportunity
also mandated the mainstreaming of human rights
to improve the implementation of human rights
throughout the United Nations and underscored the cen-
throughout the world on the basis of solid human
tral place of human rights in efforts to combat terrorism
rights analysis, and lend it all its support and
and address other national and transnational issues of
assistance to ensure the success of the exercise.
concern. OHCHR embraced these changes and, thanks to
increased financial and political support, embarked on a
Further organizational development will require upgrad-
process of expansion and consolidation in order to respond
ing the Office’s management structure with the creation
effectively to the new demands placed on it.
of new divisions and branches that reflect organizational
priorities; further improving processes and working
Reform of the United Nations has continued, touching upon
methods, especially in terms of in-house coordination;
management systems and structures, field operations and
reinforcing the Office’s staff administration and recruit-
partnerships, governance, and relations with civil society,
ment capacity; and the generation and recording of evi-
thus paving the way for further integration of human rights
dence to inform decision-making through a strength-
into the daily work of the whole organization. A new
ened monitoring and evaluation function.
Peacebuilding Commission was established to aid States
emerging from conflict in their transition towards sustain-
The Strategic Management Plan for 2008-2009 consists
able peace, while UN peace missions have come to integrate
of three main parts. Part One introduces OHCHR’s stra-
a human rights component under the dual supervision of
tegic priorities, with due account of the changes in the
the Head of Mission and the High Commissioner for
global context, the challenges, the key achievements
Human Rights. OHCHR participates in inter-agency forums
and lessons learned, and presents the Office-wide
and UN executive bodies, and has strengthened partner-
expected accomplishments and strategies. Part Two
ships and coordination with UN agencies, funds and pro-
introduces OHCHR’s programme of work for the
grammes both at Headquarters and in the field.
biennium, in terms of its work with UN human rights
bodies and organs, thematic fact-finding procedures,
A parallel reform has been undertaken since 2005 to
human rights mainstreaming, right to development
improve the response to humanitarian crises by ensuring
and research and analysis, and advisory services and
greater predictability, accountability and partnership.
technical cooperation. Part Two also presents the work
Protection, understood as “all activities aimed at ensuring
of the field presences, an essential piece in the Office’s
full respect for the rights of the individual in accordance
country engagement strategy. A description of how the
with the letter and the spirit of the relevant bodies of law”,
programme will be supported by sound management
has become the main cross-cutting issue to be addressed
principles and a focus on results is also included. Finally,
in all humanitarian activities. OHCHR is the inter-agency
Part Three presents the Office’s total budget and funding
focal point for the prevention of and response to human
requirements for the biennium.
rights violations. The Office co-chairs the Protection
Cluster Working Group in humanitarian emergencies
resulting from natural disasters or in those conflict-related
situations that do not involve large-scale displacement.
The reforms proposed by the High-level Panel on
System-wide Coherence put forward a vision for more
coherent, effective and efficient UN operations that are
responsive to national priorities and owned by the
countries themselves. They also presented challenges
as well as opportunities to OHCHR. The High-level Panel
advocated that the UN system should test ways to
“deliver as one”, in order to overcome fragmentation at
country level and increase its efficiency and impact. In
line with OHCHR’s country engagement and partnership
strategies, the Office intends to pursue partnerships with
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
15

PART 1
UN actors in the field in order to build strong human
the human rights situation in every country. The analyses
rights protection systems, strengthen existing ones, and
and conclusions emerging from the UPR will be essential
ensure strong links between governments, civil society and
in designing strategies for capacity building and technical
UN teams and UN human rights mechanisms.
cooperation to countries by various partners.
Nonetheless, it is within the UN human rights machin-
In addition, new treaty bodies have been created, or will
ery that the most sweeping changes have taken place in
be created once the conventions giving birth to them enter
the past biennium.
into force. The Sub-committee on Prevention of Torture
of the Committee against Torture, established by the
Further to the outcome of the 2005 World Summit,
Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture
General Assembly Resolution 60/251, adopted in March
(OPCAT), started sessions in early 2007. The OPCAT
2006, replaced the Commission on Human Rights with
creates a system, at the international and national
the Human Rights Council, and made the Council a sub-
levels, aimed at preventing torture and other forms of
sidiary body of the General Assembly. The Human Rights
ill-treatment in all places of detention. Three new
Council has a higher status than the previous Commission
human rights treaties – the Convention on the Rights of
and consists of 47 Member States instead of 53. New
Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol and
standards for membership of the Council include election
the International Convention for the Protection of All
by secret ballot and by the majority of members of the
Persons from Enforced Disappearance – are now open
General Assembly; no possibility of immediate re-election
for signature, accession and ratification, and new treaty
after two consecutive terms; and voluntary pledges and
bodies are expected to be established to monitor their
commitments of candidates to the promotion and protec-
implementation. Furthermore, OHCHR will, from 2008,
tion of human rights. The Council meets more frequently
service the Committee on the Elimination of
than the Commission, and can hold special sessions at the
Discrimination against Women, which has been
request of one third of its membership.
transferred from New York to Geneva.
At the centre of the new intergovernmental body is the
Support to the Council and its new features, including
“Universal Periodic Review” (UPR), a new mechanism
the UPR mechanism, as well as the expanding work in
by which all States will be assessed with regard to the
assisting treaty monitoring bodies, offer opportunities
fulfillment of their human rights obligations and commit-
for OHCHR to better articulate and coordinate its
ments. OHCHR hopes to see the development of the UPR
support to countries in relation to monitoring and
as a vital instrument to promote and protect human
implementation of human rights standards, as well as
rights in a universal, country-specific and authoritative
for mobilizing partnerships to ensure compliance
way, which will form a critical part of regular reporting on
with international law.
Adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the first 21st Century human rights treaty. © UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras
16
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009

OHCHR’S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
HUMAN RIGHTS CHALLENGES
at the international level. Thus, in 2008 and 2009,
emphasis will be placed by the Office on its work on the
Many advances have been made in recent years in the
establishment of transitional justice mechanisms as an
development of legal human rights standards, in
essential component in the fight against impunity.
enhanced awareness and commitment of the interna-
tional community, and in the increasing recognition that
respect for human rights is a precondition for develop-
Poverty and global inequities
ment, peace and security. However, the obstacles to the
full realization of human rights identified in OHCHR’s
Poverty is frequently both a cause and a consequence of
Plan of Action – impunity, poverty, discrimination, armed
human rights violations. It erodes or nullifies economic
conflict and violence, democratic deficits and weak
and social rights, such as the right to health, adequate
institutions – remain pervasive.
housing, food, safe water and the right to education, as
well as civil and political rights, such as access to justice,
Furthermore, the universality of human rights has
and the rights to a fair trial, political participation and
increasingly come under attack, as a resurgence of
security of the person.
xenophobia, racism and religious intolerance, as well
as disparities in income, opportunity and access to
As the UN focal point for human rights, democracy
justice, education and basic services, make the need for
and the rule of law, OHCHR has promoted recognition
justice and equality for all, without distinction, all the
of the connection between human rights and poverty.
more pressing.
The Office has deepened its expertise and committed
its substantive support to human rights mechanisms
and other bodies dealing with these issues, including
Combating impunity
the High Level Task Force and Open-ended Working
Group on the Right to Development. OHCHR has also
OHCHR has made combating impunity and strengthen-
issued major publications on poverty and a human
ing justice its major Office-wide priority in the year that
rights-based approach to development. Through
marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration
advocacy, strengthened partnerships and capacity-
of Human Rights.
building activities, it has helped to advance knowledge
and capacities to deal with these issues. The challenge
While progress has been made in addressing gross
for the international community is how to ensure
human rights violations through the adoption of new
that poverty-reduction strategies integrate this human
standards and the creation of legal institutions and
rights understanding in order to foster inclusive and
international criminal courts, impunity for perpetrators
sustainable economic growth that guarantees equal
of gross human rights violations persists in all regions of
opportunities and rights for all.
the world and poses a serious challenge to the pursuit of
justice. In post-conflict situations, ongoing impunity
The fight against poverty and global inequities requires
makes it difficult to stamp out abusive practices even
the concerted efforts of many actors. OHCHR has worked
after peace is restored.
with the full range of UN human rights mechanisms in
this regard, such as the Independent Expert on extreme
The fight against impunity requires a comprehensive
poverty; the Independent Expert on the effects of
approach centred around a system of justice that is able
economic reform policies and foreign debt on the full
to investigate past human rights abuses and that brings
enjoyment of human rights, particularly economic, social
perpetrators to account. Such a system must also provide
and cultural rights; the Ad hoc Working Group on the
effective remedies and reparations to victims, and
implementation of existing human rights norms and
uphold the right to the truth about the violations they
standards in the context of the fight against extreme
suffered. The broad participation of civil society, and
poverty; and the Social Forum. OHCHR has also collabo-
particularly of victims, in the process of establishing or
rated with UN sister agencies and programmes, as well
strengthening justice systems is crucial if such an
as with States, to integrate human rights-based
approach is to succeed.
approaches into poverty-reduction strategies and pro-
grammes. Much has been done to ensure the right to
Through its technical cooperation, advisory and advocacy
development at the national and international levels,
activities, OHCHR has led international efforts in the
and OHCHR’s presence on the ground has facilitated the
fight against impunity and support to national protec-
adoption of human rights-based approaches in different
tion systems through a variety of means – support to
programming and planning frameworks.
fact-finding or investigation missions, treaty bodies
and special procedures mandate-holders. The Secretary-
Still, much more needs to be done in terms of developing
General’s November 2006 Policy Committee decision
OHCHR’s work in these areas, particularly at the field
on the rule of law entrusted OHCHR with leading UN
level, where further expertise and resources are needed.
initiatives on transitional justice, both in the field and
Poverty reduction, economic policy-making and national
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
17

PART 1
budget processes are inherently complex and the human
The present biennium presents several opportunities
rights implications and entry points frequently difficult
in the fight against all forms of discrimination: The
to determine. Unpacking the conceptual challenges
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted
is a work-in-progress, as is forging broader and more
by the General Assembly in September 2007, outlaws
effective partnerships across inter-disciplinary bounds
discrimination against indigenous peoples and promotes
and developing clear common understandings of
their full and effective participation in all matters
opportunities, risks and division of labour. These latter
that concern them. It also urges States to take the
challenges are quintessentially context-specific in nature,
appropriate measures, including legislative measures, to
and must be undertaken strategically while respecting
achieve these ends, and asks UN bodies and specialized
OHCHR’s core mandate and comparative advantages.
agencies, as well as States, to promote respect for and
Finally, while recent outputs of human rights mechan-
full application of the Declaration and to follow up on
isms on issues connected with poverty and the right to
its implementation.
development are increasingly operational in orientation,
continuing efforts are needed to maintain consensus
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
at the political level and strengthen the commitment
and its Optional Protocol, adopted in December 2006,
and buy-in of duty-bearers at both international and
were opened for signature and ratification in March 2007.
national levels.
Once the Convention enters into force, a new treaty body
will be established to monitor compliance.
Discrimination
In addition, the 2009 Durban Review Conference, now
being organized, will provide another opportunity to
Poverty, underdevelopment, marginalization, social
give new impetus to the implementation of the Durban
exclusion and economic disparities are intrinsically
Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted in 2001
linked with discrimination. As discrimination leads to
at the World Conference against Racism, Racial
economic deprivation, poverty increases discrimination
Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance.
and exclusion.
Pursuant to General Assembly and Human Rights
Council resolutions, OHCHR will support the prepara-
A marked characteristic of virtually all communities
tions for the Durban Review Conference by, inter alia,
living in extreme poverty is that they do not have access,
servicing the meetings of the Preparatory Committee;
on equal footing, to the government institutions and
facilitating meetings of experts and working groups;
services that protect and promote human rights. This
and conducting consultations and seminars with civil
inequality of access makes it difficult to seek redress
society and regional organizations, as well as with State
against injustice, participate in public life, and influence
institutions, to ensure their effective participation in
policies.
the preparatory process.
However, it is not only the poor who suffer as a result of
discrimination. People can be discriminated against on
Armed conflict and violence
multiple grounds, including race, colour, descent, national
or ethnic origin, gender, language, religion, political or
Massacres and indiscriminate killings, forced displace-
other opinion, social origin, property, disability, birth or
ment, gender-based violence, mass detentions and
other status. The combination of different forms of
disappearances are common, widespread features of
discrimination renders certain groups particularly more
today’s armed conflict. Rape and other forms of sexual
vulnerable to discrimination. For example, racial discrim-
violence continue to be used as weapons of war and
ination often affects women more than men. Despite the
have, in some countries, reached pandemic proportions.
fact that all human rights treaties and instruments pro-
Children are often torn from their families and pressed
claim the principles of equality and non-discrimination,
into serving as soldiers or sex slaves. Most wars in this
in many countries, laws and practices still permit or
century are conflicts between a government and
tolerate discrimination.
insurgent forces, or between different armed groups
who are often responsible for serious human rights
In order to help fight discrimination, during the past
abuses and who do not feel bound by any obligation to
biennium, OHCHR has provided advisory services in the
respect human rights.
drafting of anti-discrimination laws; produced guidelines
to assist States in the development of national action
In her Plan of Action, the High Commissioner advocated
plans; organized regional workshops; and engaged in
that the protection of human rights be at the core of
inter-agency cooperation on anti-discrimination issues
efforts to prevent and end armed conflict. Patterns of
so as to strengthen national protection systems. The
human rights abuse are a key precursor to violent con-
Office has also supported national human rights institu-
flict. When these patterns of abuse are tackled effective-
tions and civil society organizations and assisted in the
ly, escalation can often be halted. Addressing human
empowerment of victims of discrimination.
rights in peace agreements helps ensure the success of
18
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009

OHCHR’S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
those agreements, as they provide guarantees that the
Democratic deficits and
population will not be subjected to further abuse.
weak institutions
Human rights must also be integrated in efforts to pro-
vide immediate humanitarian relief. Indeed, humanitarian
Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
agencies have moved in this direction as they reform
is an essential element of democracy, which provides
the framework of humanitarian response. Protection is
the natural environment for their protection and
now a major cross-cutting issue to be incorporated in
effective realization.
all humanitarian activities. Furthermore, in situations
where the violence and insecurity are the result of
While stressing the interdependence between
widespread criminal activities, protecting the rights of
democracy, development and human rights, the High
all people without discrimination will ensure that ordin-
Commissioner stated in the 2005 Plan of Action that
ary citizens will not be subjected to arbitrary actions
“human rights standards must underpin any meaningful
by law-enforcement officials.
conception of democracy, so that physical integrity is
protected and freedoms of participation, elections,
The issue of terrorism and human rights has long been
assembly, association, opinion, expression and informa-
a concern of the UN human rights programme, but it
tion are guaranteed”. The Plan also provided the ingredi-
has become more urgent following the attack of
ents for giving effect to human rights and democratic
11 September 2001 on the United States of America and
principles through a comprehensive framework which
the worldwide surge in acts of terrorism. OHCHR
includes space for dissent and opposition; safeguards
unequivocally condemns terrorism and recognizes the
for the rights and interests of minorities, women and
duty of States to protect those living within their juris-
vulnerable, disadvantaged and marginalized groups; a
dictions from terrorism. However, the Office is concerned
peaceful transition of power; and an active and vibrant
that many countries have adopted counter-terrorism
civil society, including human rights defenders; and free
measures that also threaten human rights, and has
and responsible media.
consistently reminded States that measures taken to
combat terrorism must conform to their obligations
The challenges of democratic deficits cover a wide
under international human rights law.
spectrum of issues inherent in the weakness or
dysfunction of governing institutions, structural and
Conscious that addressing human rights issues in con-
institutional impediments to the enjoyment and
flict and post-conflict environments requires concerted
protection of human rights, armed conflicts, the legacy
efforts, OHCHR has increased its collaboration with the
of long-standing discriminatory laws and practices,
UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO),
corruption, and impunity as a result of the erosion of the
the UN Department of Political Affaires (DPA) and UN
rule of law.
peace missions, including through supporting their
human rights components, and contributed to the
OHCHR’s democracy-building and support activities
development of guidance on human rights for military
are carried out under the various components of the
and police components. OHCHR has also been increas-
UN human rights programme. Technical cooperation
ingly involved in the humanitarian response to crises
projects are mainly geared towards enhancing the
and the development of human rights training manuals
capacities of State institutions to promote democratic
and operational guidance.
governance, notably through a strong and independent
judiciary; effective parliament oversight mechanisms,
In 2008-2009, OHCHR’s rule-of-law activities will include
independent and powerful national human rights
systematic engagement with judges and lawyers,
institutions and a vibrant civil society. Constitution
monitoring of formal justice systems, improving access
making and constitutional reforms are important in the
to justice and collaboration with national judiciaries, as
context of democratic transitions and peace building.
well as work on accountability structures, including for
OHCHR is working with the rest of the UN system
law-enforcement officials. In addition, OHCHR will look
towards a coordinated system-wide approach to
into the relationship between access to economic and
constitution building, and this work will continue in
social rights and public insecurity in order to develop
2008-2009. The Office is currently engaged in an exercise
human-rights based responses in the context of the fight
to further develop its relationships with key actors in
against common criminality. With regard to terrorism,
and outside the UN system, with a view to strengthening
OHCHR will follow up on the implementation of the
its legal and human rights advisory capacities in this
Secretary-General’s Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy,
area and developing a publication on this subject.
which makes proposals for safeguarding human rights
Coordination and partnerships with other UN entities,
in the fight against terrorism. The impact of counter-
including the United Nations Democracy Fund, will be
terrorism measures on economic, social and cultural
crucial to share a wide range of available experience
rights will also be studied and addressed.
and expertise that can help build democratic institutions
and respect for human rights.
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
19

PART 1
OHCHR’S STRATEGIES
areas of expertise and comparative advantage. The
implementation of the country strategy may require
In trying to find the most effective ways to meet today’s
technical expertise that is not available in the country
pressing human rights challenges and advance its
presence and will therefore be provided by a regional
overall goal to protect people and empower them to
office, or directly from Headquarters.
realize their rights, OHCHR uses a variety of strategies
at different levels. These strategies cluster around
OHCHR also fulfils its primary leadership responsibility
four areas – leadership, country engagement and
on human rights issues through advocacy and partner-
partnerships inside and outside the UN system, as well
ship with national and other international actors, in
as its unique relationship with the United Nations
and/or outside the country, thus generating discussion
human rights mechanisms.
on pressing human rights issues.
UN General Assembly Resolution 48/141 establishing the
Partnership strategies are crucial to the achievement of
post of the High Commissioner for Human Rights gives
objectives and are developed in order to include central,
the High Commissioner principal responsibility on
provincial and local authorities, national human rights
human rights issues. Thus, OHCHR’s first task is to identify
institutions and civil society actors; media sectors;
human rights challenges and bring them to the attention
business sectors; UN agencies, programmes and funds;
of all relevant stakeholders and partners. Through the
regional organizations and non-governmental organiza-
work of its specialized units, the Office formulates appro-
tions; as well as diplomatic representations. In that
priate responses to such challenges. These responses can
context, OHCHR facilitates dialogue among different
be implemented either directly by OHCHR, by partners,
partners, who can then engage in constructive
or jointly, at the national, regional and global level.
exchanges and define joint strategies and policies to
deal with outstanding human rights issues.
The Office also exercises recognized leadership, in par-
ticular on issues related to human rights mainstreaming
In order to ensure that the right responses are given to
and the right to development, especially in the context of
the different human rights challenges, OHCHR will,
activities relating to the Millennium Development Goals
according to the needs of the situation:
(MDGs); the establishment and strengthening of frame-
works for the legal protection of economic, social and
• maintain a public role based on the monitoring and
cultural rights – including their judicial and quasi-
fact-finding activities that are at the basis of its work,
judicial adjudication; human rights in peacebuilding and
and that allows it to advocate inside and outside the
peacekeeping; and the strengthening of the rule of law.
country on human rights issues, increase human
rights protection, and widely disseminate tools,
OHCHR implements a combination of strategies in the
analyses and statements;
four areas of leadership, country engagement, partner-
ship and work with UN human rights mechanisms at the
• build the capacity of national and international
national as well as at the regional and global levels.
actors present in the country by providing direct
assistance, expert advice, tools and training –
especially on thematic areas such as discriminated
National level
and marginalized groups; rule of law and democracy;
human rights-based approaches to development,
It is on the ground, in every country, that the norms and
peace and security and humanitarian issues; UN
rhetoric of rights are turned into reality. OHCHR places
human rights mechanisms and bodies; etc;
much value on engaging with actors at the ground level
so as to ensure that the practice conforms to international
• provide the required expertise and advice in the
standards. The Office engages with countries at the
context of inter-agency responses to humanitarian
national level in three ways: through the establishment
crises, including by supporting the human rights
of a field presence in the country; through country-
components of peacekeeping operations;
specific activities conducted by the geographically respon-
sible regional office; and through a variety of interven-
• ensure that, on the one hand, actors present in the
tions – technical assistance, advocacy, organization of
country are kept abreast of the work of UN human
fact-finding visits, etc., carried out from Headquarters.
rights mechanisms and bodies, comply with their
obligations in relation to them, and use them accord-
While the degree of engagement with a given country
ing to their needs; and that, in turn, UN human rights
varies according to the specific situation, these three
mechanisms and bodies are kept informed of devel-
forms of engagement are not mutually exclusive: OHCHR
opments relating to human rights challenges on the
defines its strategies on a given country based on an
ground so that they are better able to issue relevant
Office-wide assessment of the human rights situation
concluding observations and recommendations, and
and needs, and formulates responses in line with its
take decisions on and respond to individual petitions.
20
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009

OHCHR’S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Regional and global level
• supporting their efforts to increase internal
coherence and consistency (coordination between
OHCHR seeks interaction with, and the constant
treaty bodies and special procedures, reporting,
improvement of, existing systems of human rights
issuance of concluding observations and
protection, both at the regional and the global level. The
recommendations, etc.); and,
Office has the responsibility of facilitating such improve-
ment, not only by supporting the existing systems, but
• strengthening the capacity of other actors (including
also by leading efforts to respond promptly and
civil society) to use the system in the most effective
effectively to new challenges by encouraging the
way possible in order to address human rights issues,
development of new instruments or the use of existing
and encouraging them to show publicly their support
ones in such a way that they will increase the degree of
for the UN human rights system, including by advo-
protection afforded. In order to achieve these objectives,
cating for government compliance with international
OHCHR develops strategic partnerships with both
human rights law, with the recommendations of the
governmental (UN and other global and regional
different mechanisms, and with treaty body
organizations) and non-governmental actors (networks
reporting obligations.
of national and international civil society actors, media
sectors, academia, business organizations), and
UNIVERSAL DECLARATION
• makes human rights information widely available to
OF HUMAN RIGHTS - 1948-2008
them so as to facilitate decision-making processes
and ensuing action by various actors;
OHCHR’s strategies at all levels will go hand-in-hand with a
system-wide public information campaign spearheaded by
• carries out human rights advocacy with all actors in
the Secretary-General with the support of OHCHR throughout
order to gather their support around responses to
2008, in which the UN family and its partners around the world
particular human rights situations or challenges;
will mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights.
• provides tools to increase the capacity of all actors to
act and react to upcoming human rights issues. This
The campaign aims to empower rights-holders by highlighting
includes coordinating human rights education pro-
the enduring relevance of the document - adopted in Paris on
grammes, a task that OHCHR has been specifically
10 December 1948 – that laid the foundation for the human
mandated by the General Assembly to carry out.
rights gains of the past six decades. The theme of the campaign,
“Dignity and justice for all of us”, reinforces the vision of the
Within the United Nations, OHCHR must also meet the
Declaration as the first international commitment to the
challenge of fully integrating human rights issues into
universality of human rights.
the core of the United Nations agendas for development
and security. To do so, OHCHR acts at different levels,
Information materials and activities shared with all OHCHR’s
for example by participating in the work of internal
partners will give expression to the Office’s leadership role in a
mechanisms and UN executive bodies, such as the
way that aims to inform and educate the wider public, as well
Chief Executives Board, the Secretary-General’s Policy
as to stimulate debate and spur action by governments, civil
Committee, the UN Development Group, the four
society and the rights-holders themselves. OHCHR also hopes
Executive Committees and the Global Migration Group;
that the anniversary will be an occasion to garner further
by leading global initiatives to train Resident and
political and financial support for its efforts to ensure the full
Humanitarian Coordinators on the integration of human
enjoyment of human rights throughout the world.
rights considerations into development and humanitarian
assistance programmes; and by participating in
inter-agency humanitarian and development forums.
With regard to UN human rights mechanisms and
bodies, OHCHR has the institutional responsibility of
supporting them in different ways by:
• providing substantive inputs to increase their impact
(situational and legal analysis; guidelines and tools
on specific human rights issues);
• supporting their work in order to ensure smooth
functioning (secretarial assistance, documentation,
preparation of field visits, availability of technical
tools such as databases, etc.);
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
21

PART 1
LESSONS LEARNED
missions. Moreover, the punctual reinforcement of a field
presence at critical stages of a country situation, such as
The implementation of the first Strategic Management
electoral periods, has helped provide effective support and
Plan has validated the relevance of the strategies used,
therefore strengthened the engagement with the con-
while highlighting a few lessons that are taken into
cerned country, which may in turn open new opportunities.
account in this present SMP.
Learning from recent experience (e.g. Togo), OHCHR will, in
this biennium, aim to systematize this tailored approach.
Leadership
In the past two years experience has shown that
responding rapidly to critical human rights situations,
By bringing specific human rights issues or situations
in particular to increasing requests from the Human
to the fore and stimulating debate and action among
Rights Council, has become a growing task which
governments, UN agencies, civil society and other
demands significant efforts with substantial resource
stakeholders, the High Commissioner has helped garner
implications. Moreover, greater involvement in inter-
support for the efforts of different stakeholders to
agency humanitarian forums and action has led to
address human rights issues at the global, regional or
higher expectations of OHCHR’s involvement in the field
national level. The reinforcement of the Office’s thematic
from a variety of partners. These developments will
expertise and field presence has provided a more
require further development of the Office’s capacity.
accurate thematic and country content, while an
increased communications capacity has helped take
The establishment of standard field presence types and, in
the High Commissioner’s message to a wider audience.
the case of country and regional offices, model legal agree-
ments; the development and piloting of a country assess-
However, more needs to be done in terms of regular
ment methodology; and the issuing of guidelines for formu-
advocacy at the field level, both in terms of support to
lating country strategies have constituted significant steps
field-level consistent communication, and the balance
in the Office’s strategic approach to country engagement.
between civil and political rights, on the one hand, and
economic, social and cultural rights on the other. This is
Much progress has therefore been made in relation to
evidenced by the difficulty OHCHR has had to put the
increasing the number of field presences (from 35 to
necessary emphasis on economic, social and cultural
47 countries) and rationalizing and/or reinforcing existing
rights, particularly in countries with a history of viola-
ones, as well as in deepening country engagement from
tions of civil and political rights, despite the recognition
Headquarters with country-specific expertise and stronger
of the High Commissioner’s important role in ensuring
administrative backstopping. Nevertheless, despite many
focused attention on the former rights at the interna-
improvements, much remains to be done in the area of
tional level. Learning from this experience, OHCHR has
human rights monitoring and investigations in order to
made it a priority to develop its work on economic, social
harmonize methods of work, keep pace with the growing
and cultural rights at the country level during 2008-2009.
involvement of OHCHR in these areas, develop mechan-
isms to ensure sharing and management of knowledge
The increased capacity of the New York Office has assisted
on substantive human rights issues, and document,
the High Commissioner’s involvement with various
identify and promote good practices more systematically.
UN committees and interaction with other bodies, such
Further inter-branch and Headquarters-field coordina-
as the Peacebuilding Commission. Nevertheless, the need
tion, as well as their ability to establish priorities together
for OHCHR to be physically present and participate on a
on a given country, also need to be improved. This is
more regular basis in high level committees calls for a
particularly important in relation to special procedures
further upgrading of the New York Office’s management.
and treaty body capacity-building activities to help
improve reporting and follow-up. Last, learning from its
experience in the Balkan region, the Office will have to
Country engagement
further articulate its strategic approach in order to adjust
its presence in a given country to evolving country needs.
OHCHR’s two-track approach to its engagement with
countries has proved to be effective, as it was responsive in
a timely manner to emerging needs and crises, while pro-
Partnerships
actively developing long-term strategies for specific coun-
tries. The newly created Rapid Response and Peace Missions
An important lesson learned is that OHCHR often works
Support Unit provided operational support to geographic
best when it works with and/or through others, both
desks, field offices and other parts of OHCHR where urgent
within and outside the United Nations. OHCHR’s expanded
deployment of staff was required, in liaison with UN
field presences have been instrumental in deepening and
operational partners and others for emergency operations;
sustaining practical collaboration at the country level.
contributed to the establishment of commissions of inquiry;
In the past biennium, OHCHR took a number of steps to
and helped organize or participated in technical assessment
strengthen its existing partnerships and to forge new ones.
22
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009

OHCHR’S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Partnerships were developed with the UN Development
mandate-holders. Increased support and integration
Group Office and the UN Staff College to support country
resulted in greater coordination and cross-fertilization
teams involved in Common Country Assessments (CCA)
of the work of mandate-holders, but more work needs
and the UN Development Assistance Frameworks
to be done to ensure further coordination both among
(UNDAF) with resource persons knowledgeable in the
mandate-holders and with treaty bodies.
human rights-based approach to programming, as well as
to develop human rights guidance for Resident
The definition of the UPR process revealed the need for
Coordinators, Humanitarian Coordinators and senior staff.
substantive and technical support to the related Working
Group of the Human Rights Council and to prepare the two
This was done in support to the work undertaken at the
reports under the OHCHR’s responsibility. Thus, a dedicated
field level, where OHCHR’s presences supported UN
section was created at the end of 2007, staffed by person-
Country Teams in integrating human rights into their
nel temporarily detached from different branches, pending
work, so that development plans and UN planning
proper human and financial resource allocation. This has
frameworks are drawn using a human rights-based
evidenced the need for flexibility in the Office’s planning.
approach, and promote a rights-based approach to
national development efforts.
Management and planning
Conscious of the need to further articulate its human rights
mainstreaming strategy, the Office is conducting an evalu-
OHCHR’s process of internal reform to strengthen its
ation on the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustain-
planning, monitoring and evaluation function and its
ability of its interventions at the field level in that regard.
human resources, finance and administration management
Findings will be available during the first part of 2008 and
has begun to yield results. Progress was made in standard-
will serve as a basis to refine and systematize its approach.
izing a predictable two-year planning process, as well as
in starting to build the capacity of staff and providing guid-
OHCHR's work on integrating human rights considera-
ance on results-based planning and monitoring. While the
tions in development programmes and the fight against
approval of an Office-wide set of expected accomplish-
poverty has also led it to reach out to international
ments, based on which the different branches and units
financial institutions. This has demonstrated the value
have developed their respective outputs, is contributing to
of the Office’s participation in forums such as the
greater cohesion, there is still room for fostering synergy
High-level Task Force and Open-ended Working Group
and gaining efficiency. In addition, results-based monitor-
on the Right to Development, where the World Bank,
ing, as well as the generation of lessons learned and best
the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade
practices, will require further improvement.
Organization have been especially active and where
much of this cooperation was initiated.
Much progress has been achieved in improving human
resources policies and practices, at a time when the Office
significantly increased its staffing. The contracts of most
United Nations human rights mechanisms
long-serving staff on short-term contracts were regular-
ized, and training opportunities for staff were extended.
During the past biennium, OHCHR endeavoured to
In an effort to achieve wider geographical representation
consolidate its relationship with UN human rights
among staff, candidates from under-represented regions
mechanisms, seeking opportunities to improve its work,
and countries were encouraged to apply for, and many
increase cooperation and coordination among them
were selected to fill, new positions. The Office has exam-
and encouraging synergies for more effective work.
ined its experience in that regard, and concluded that
further improvement will require the development and
The High Commissioner’s proposal for the creation of a
the implementation of a proactive recruitment strategy.
unified standing treaty body prompted treaty bodies to
Nonetheless, OHCHR’s dependence on UN Secretariat
increase efforts to harmonize their working methods
recruitment procedures has resulted in long delays in the
and reporting requirements and encouraged States
selection and hiring of personnel, including deployments
parties to streamline their reporting.
to field presences. Besides this external factor, the Office
has further analysed the bottlenecks in its recruitment
Still, more can be done to ensure that proactive country
and will strive to reduce those delays under its control.
engagement and leadership from OHCHR are aligned
with the work of the treaty bodies.
However, it is clear that OHCHR needs to operate with a
certain degree of administrative independence in the
In 2006 and 2007, OHCHR strengthened the support
areas of finance, administration and human resources.
structures for special procedures mechanisms, both for
The recently received delegations of authority in finance
individual mandates and for the system as a whole,
and property management should provide greater
improving the level of policy, administrative and
flexibility and accountability for the Office and improve
research assistance available to special procedures
its ability to support field presences.
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
23

PART 1
mity
ting
national
nment
nment has issued
mal education system)
ts submitted in accordance with the repor
national and regional human rights instruments
, investigate and redress human rights violations
ficials, security forces and in the for
tion of treaty body and special procedures recommendations
National Level (Field presence) Indicators
vations removed or reviewed
tion of special procedures’ visit requests for which the gover
Number of legislative and policy changes in accordance with human rights standards
Number of national human rights training programmes institutionalized (for lawyers,
Number and propor
Propor
Number of due and overdue repor
Percentage of special procedures communications replied to by the gover
Countries engaging with the Human Rights Council in the context of the UPR in confor
Number of ratifications of inter
Number of reser
Number of mechanisms established and functioning in accordance with inter
1.2
1.3
judges, law enforcement of
2.1
implemented
2.2
an invitation
2.3
guidelines
2.4
2.5
with established processes and Human Rights Council resolutions
3.1
3.2
4.1
human rights standards to monitor
,
nments
ts in accordance
mal education system)
national human rights standards to monitor
national and regional human rights instruments
Global Level Indicators
national Coordinating Committee
tion of countries where OHCHR has been engaged that have
tion of countries where OHCHR has been engaged that have
tion of countries where OHCHR has been engaged, which have
tion of countries where OHCHR has been engaged, which have
vations removed or reviewed
ficials, security forces and in the for
ting guidelines
OHCHR’S EXPECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2008-2009
tion of countries engaging with the Human Rights Council in the context of the UPR
mity with established processes and Human Rights Council resolutions
Number of national human rights institutions accredited “A” status or improving their
Number and propor
taken legislative and policy changes in accordance with human rights standards
Number and propor
Number and propor
Number of countries having issued standing invitations to special procedures
Number of countries which have submitted due and overdue repor
Percentage of special procedures communications replied to by gover
Propor
Number of ratifications of inter
Number of reser
Number and propor
1.1
accreditation status by the Inter
1.2
under
1.3
institutionalized national human rights training programmes (for lawyers, judges, law
enforcement of
2.1
implemented any outstanding treaty body and/or special procedures recommendations
2.2
2.3
with the repor
2.4
2.5
in confor
3.1
3.2
4.1
established mechanisms in accordance with inter
investigate and redress human rights violations
vations
national human
national and regional
, investigate and redress civil
nments with UN human rights mechanisms
Increased compliance with human rights standards by
national institutions, laws and programmes
Increased compliance and engagement by
gover
and bodies (treaty bodies, special procedures,
Human Rights Council/Universal Periodic
Review – UPR)
Increased ratification of inter
human rights instruments and review of reser
Justice and accountability mechanisms established and
functioning in accordance with inter
rights standards to monitor
and political, as well as economic, social and cultural
human rights violations
Expected Accomplishments
1.
2.
3.
4.
24
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009

OHCHR’S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
vices
ticipation of marginalized and discriminated
, decision-making and monitoring processes
tion of UN agencies programmes and projects
s work
, special procedures and Human Rights Council
mation to treaty bodies, special procedures and the Human Rights Council
ticularly women, in public policy
ticularly women, to justice and basic ser
Number of measures introduced to allow par
Number of measures introduced to improve access of marginalized and discriminated
Number and type of national human rights institutions and civil society organizations
Number of concrete actions taken by non-national actors to address critical human rights
CCA/UNDAF and number and propor
Submission of common core documents in accordance with the guidelines
5.1
groups, par
5.2
groups, par
6.1
submitting infor
in the context of the UPR
7.1
situation and issues linked to OHCHR’
8.1
using in their programming treaty body
recommendations, as well as OHCHR guidelines
9.4
t
ticularly
ticularly
nmental bodies to address critical
s work
y programmes and projects using in their
mation to treaty bodies, special procedures and the
ticipation of marginalized and discriminated groups, par
vices
, special procedures and Human Rights Council recommendations,
tion of countries where OHCHR has been engaged, which have
tion of countries where OHCHR has been engaged, which have
tion of countries where national human rights institutions and civil
tion of UN common countr
, decision-making and monitoring processes
tments which integrate human rights standards and principles with OHCHR suppor
Number and propor
Number and propor
Number and propor
Number of concrete actions by UN/regional intergover
Number and propor
monization
Number of relevant UN system agencies policy documents and key speeches of heads of UN
Percentage of treaty bodies and special procedures recommendations taken up by the
Number of new procedures approved by the meeting of special procedures mandate-
Approval by the Human Rights Council of the review of mandates
Percentage of countries submitting common core documents in accordance with the guidelines
Number of joint treaty body activities or innovative treaty body initiatives contributing
5.1
introduced measures to allow par
women, in public policy
5.2
introduced measures to improve access of marginalized and discriminated groups, par
women, to justice and basic ser
6.1
society organizations are submitting infor
Human Rights Council in the context of the UPR
7.1
human rights situation and issues linked to OHCHR’
8.1
programming treaty body
as well as OHCHR guidelines
8.2
agencies/depar
9.1
Human Rights Council in the context of the UPR
9.2
holders for coordination of their work
9.3
9.4
9.5
to har
vices
,
t and
ticipation in public policy
ticularly women, to justice and basic ser
national community increasingly aware, aler
Increased number of measures taken to improve
access of marginalized and discriminated groups,
and par
and to allow their par
decision-making, and monitoring processes
Increased number and diversity of rights-holders and
national human rights institutions and civil society actors
acting on their behalf making use of UN and regional
human rights mechanisms and bodies
Inter
responsive to critical human rights situations and issues
Increased integration of human rights standards and
principles, including the right to development, into
UN system policies and programmes with respect to
development, humanitarian action, peace and security
and economic and social issues
Enhanced coherence and consistency of UN human
rights mechanisms and bodies
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
25

PART 2
OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK

PART 2
OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK
SUPPORTING HUMAN RIGHTS
The High Commissioner’s proposal for creating a unified
BODIES AND ORGANS
standing treaty body has prompted increased efforts
among all treaty bodies to harmonize their working
methods, and has also encouraged States parties to
The Human Rights Council and the human rights treaty
attempt to streamline their reporting by using the
bodies constitute two central elements of the international
guidelines for the Common Core Document. The Office
human rights system. OHCHR works to ensure the smooth
has also intensified efforts to harmonize the work and
functioning of these human rights bodies and organs. The
procedures of the treaty bodies so that they can function
process of treaty body reporting, consideration of individ-
as a coherent system, namely by assisting treaty bodies
ual petitions and other procedures, and following up on
in elaborating treaty-specific reporting guidelines com-
treaty body recommendations at the country level are cen-
plementing the Common Core Document and assisting
tral to implementing human rights and are at the heart of
States parties in using them. This is essential for the
OHCHR’s country engagement with States parties.
enhancement of the impact of the work of the treaty
bodies on the ground and in making treaty body recom-
With the transfer of responsibility for supporting the
mendations more focused, clear and implementable. In
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination
addition, it will contribute to achieving the goals of the
against Women (CEDAW) to OHCHR in 2008, OHCHR
Universal Periodic Review (UPR – see below). OHCHR will
will provide support to the seven treaty bodies that
continue this work and will also provide strong support
monitor implementation of the core human rights
to the new treaty bodies when they are established.
instruments, namely the Human Rights Committee;
the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
The Human Rights Council
(CESCR); the Committee on the Elimination of Racial
On 15 March 2006, the General Assembly replaced the
Discrimination (CERD); CEDAW; the Committee against
Commission on Human Rights with the Human Rights
Torture (CAT); the Committee on the Rights of the
Council (Resolution 60/251). During its first year, the
Child (CRC); and the Committee on Migrant Workers
Council met as a quasi-standing body, holding five
(CMW). The Office also provides substantive and
regular sessions, four special sessions and three sessions
technical support to the Sub-committee on Prevention
of its institution-building working groups. In June 2007,
of Torture. This sub-committee, which began its work in
one year after its first meeting, the Council agreed on
February 2007, is mandated by the Optional Protocol to
the procedures, mechanisms and structures that will
the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) to visit places
form the basis for its future work. The Council maintains
where persons may be deprived of their liberty and to
a system of special procedures and a confidential
work with, and assist, national preventive mechanisms.
complaint procedure. It also establishes an expert advice
body, the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee,
which replaces the Sub-Commission on the Promotion
Current situation and challenges
and Protection of Human Rights. Through a new
mechanism, the Universal Periodic Review, the Council
Treaty Bodies
will periodically review the fulfilment of human rights
The Office’s workload relating to treaty bodies has
obligations in all countries.
increased over the years. The number of States parties to
international human rights treaties has more than tripled
since 1995, and three new human rights treaties are
now open for signature, accession and ratification: the
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and
its Optional Protocol, and the International Convention for
the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
Individual complaints submitted to OHCHR increased
six-fold between 1997 and 2006, and the number of
complaints received and processed keeps rising. Inquiry
procedures established by human rights treaties have been
initiated, and the Sub-committee on Prevention of Torture
plans to conduct preventive visits to at least five States
parties each year. Still, the human rights treaty body
system needs to be made more visible and accessible.
28
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK
The Office will continue to work to improve awareness
UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW (UPR)
and understanding of treaty body recommendations at
the national level and encourage OHCHR field presences,
Through this new mechanism, the Council will periodically
other UN agencies, UN Country Teams, national human
review the fulfilment of human rights obligations of all countries.
rights institutions, and NGOs to integrate the treaty
It will ensure that all States, including members of the Council,
body system into their work. An office-wide effort,
are treated equally and are subject to a review of their human
including field presences and thematic units, will be
rights record.
essential in this work. This will require training for field
officers so that they can contribute to follow-up activities
• All UN Member States will be reviewed within a period
and respond to requests for assistance by States parties
of four years in the first cycle, with 48 States to be
in relation to reporting on the basis of the Common
reviewed every year.
Core Document.
• All the members of the Council will be reviewed during
their term of membership.
OHCHR will, to the extent possible, also continue to
• The first States to be reviewed have been chosen by
organize training workshops on the work of the treaty
regional groups through the drawing of lots to ensure
bodies and on the different ways in which various
full respect for equitable geographic distribution.
actors, such as national human rights institutions,
Alphabetical order will then be applied, beginning with
non-governmental organizations, media, parliamentarians,
these countries, with the exception of those who volunteer
and legal practitioners, can participate in the reporting
to be reviewed.
and implementation process. The Office currently
• The review will be carried out by a working group,
reviews the training requests from States and resource
composed of members of the Council, that will meet three
requirements for these workshops, and establishes
times a year for two weeks, and will be facilitated by
priorities. Government representatives, parliamentarians,
groups of three States Members of the Council,
members of national human rights institutions and
which will act as rapporteurs (or “troikas”) appointed
NGOs, as well as representatives of the media and the
by the Council.
legal profession, are the main participants of these
• Recommendations from the special procedures and
workshops. Interested countries will be selected in
human rights treaty bodies, and information from
accordance with OHCHR’s strategies for country
other sources, such as non-governmental organizations
engagement. In light of the increase in requests for such
and national human rights institutions, will be considered
workshops to strengthen the implementation of human
as elements for the review in addition to the report of the
rights at the national level, and the limited human
State concerned.
resources of OHCHR, new and creative approaches will
• The final outcome of the UPR will consist of recommendations
be needed. The possibility of establishing a “training-of-
to be implemented primarily by the State concerned and,
trainers” programme will be considered.
as appropriate, by other relevant stakeholders.
The Office will also gather good practices in the
The first session of the working group that will carry out the UPR
implementation of human rights treaty provisions at
is scheduled for April 2008.
the national level, the recommendations included in
treaty-body concluding observations, and recommenda-
tions for remedies included in decisions on individual
Programme
complaints, in order to provide examples to States parties
and UN partners on how States have implemented
Treaty bodies
international human rights standards and treaty body
During the 2008-2009 biennium, OHCHR will continue
recommendations.
to provide substantive and technical support to the
treaty bodies, and seek to strengthen their capacity
In addition, the Office will develop its technical cooperation
to monitor compliance with, and support the implemen-
capacity in order to achieve more sustainable results and
tation of, treaties at the country level, including by
enhanced impact in the fields of treaty implementation
assisting treaty bodies to formulate more concrete and
and reporting, through training tools such as reporting
targeted recommendations to States parties and
kits and CD-ROMs.
developing follow-up procedures. There has been
progress in rendering treaty body recommendations
Revised and streamlined working methods have already
more concrete, but there is room for improvement.
enabled some treaty bodies, particularly the Human
The ratio decidendi of decisions on individual petitions
Rights Committee, to adopt a larger number of decisions
remains too general and imprecise. In November 2006,
on individual complaints and reduce the average time
OHCHR convened a meeting of the Voluntary Fund for
complaints are pending. OHCHR will continue to assist
Technical Cooperation, treaty body members, OHCHR
treaty bodies to develop and streamline follow-up
field presences and UN entities to discuss how recom-
mechanisms. A thematic digest of human rights
mendations can be better used at the national level.
jurisprudence has been prepared, and will be made
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
29

PART 2
available online. The petitions database was updated
Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the
and modernized in June 2006 and other features have
question of violence against children. OHCHR will work
been added to improve the ability to search for cases
closely with the new Special Representative.
and track the status of pending complaints to ensure
more efficient processing of new and pending
The Office will continue to work with UNICEF, WHO
complaints.
and other partners to raise awareness about the outcome
of the 2006 Secretary-General’s Study on Violence
OHCHR will encourage further cooperation between
Against Children and promote the implementation of
treaty bodies and human rights special procedures,
its recommendations through the entire array of its
particularly in relation to the elaboration of general
activities, particularly through the work of its field
comments.
presences. The Office will support mainstreaming of
the Study’s recommendations into the work of the UN
Reform of treaty bodies
human rights treaty bodies and special procedures and
OHCHR will assist both existing and new treaty bodies
encourage these mechanisms to monitor and report on
as they seek to coordinate their activities and standardize
the situation of violence against children and on emerging
their reporting requirements, with the aim of creating a
trends in this area. OHCHR will also develop policy,
more coherent and effective system.
planning and programming tools to facilitate the
implementation of the recommendations of the Study
The Office will support the biannual inter-committee
by all relevant stakeholders, and promote research on
meetings to adopt concrete recommendations for
violence against children, including through expert
improving and harmonizing the working methods of
meetings, seminars and work with existing human
the treaty bodies which, in turn, will improve their
rights mechanisms. The exchange of information and
overall effectiveness, coherence, and unity. The use
good practices will also be promoted. OHCHR will
of the Common Core Document by States parties
continue to participate in the work of the inter-agency
will be promoted, and each reporting State will be
group on violence against children and to closely
encouraged to submit such a document in tandem with
coordinate with partner agencies and programmes.
their treaty-specific reports. The core document contains
basic information that is relevant to all treaties;
The Human Rights Council and
States would thus not have to make duplicate submis-
its mechanisms
sions. States will also be offered assistance and
With the adoption of the institution-building text on
training in the preparation of the Common Core
18 June 2007, the Council established the procedures,
Document and treaty-specific reports. As a result,
mechanisms and structures that will form the basis
it is expected that they will comply more fully with
for its future work. These provisions now need to be
their reporting obligations, and that treaty body
translated into practice. OHCHR will continue to
documentation will be rationalized. This would also
provide substantive assistance and legal and technical
contribute to more focused and implementable
advice to the President of the Council, its Bureau, and
recommendations that can be used in the framework
to the Plenary and other relevant bodies to facilitate
of the UPR.
institution-building.
Study on violence against children
OHCHR will continue to provide substantive support to
The sixty-second session of the General Assembly
the regular work of the intergovernmental human rights
(ongoing at the time of writing) has decided to create a
machinery, including during the high-level plenary
Sixth session of the Human Rights Council, September 2007. © UN/OHCHR
30
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009

OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK
meetings of the Council and its subsidiary bodies and
SUPPORTING HUMAN RIGHTS
during the inter-sessional period. Proceedings of the
FACT-FINDING PROCEDURES
Council will be recorded in a separate report for
each regular and special session, and resolutions and
decisions adopted during the year will be compiled into
Special procedures were established by the then
an annual report to the General Assembly.
Commission on Human Rights to address major human
rights themes and phenomena and to play a role in
Support will be provided to establish the Human Rights
preventing or attempting to end human rights violations
Council Advisory Committee. The Committee will
worldwide. Generally, special procedures mandate-
function as a think-tank for the Council, providing
holders are entrusted with monitoring, advising and
expertise and advice, and conducting substantive
publicly reporting on major human rights phenomena
research and studies on thematic issues of interest to
or situations around the world. Thematic mandates focus
the Council and at its request.
on specific human rights issues of concern; country
mandates focus on particular country situations. At
The Council has also established a new confidential
present, there are 28 thematic mandates and ten country
complaint procedure to address consistent patterns of
mandates. Within the context of their mandates, special
gross and reliably attested violations of human rights
procedures mandate-holders:
and all fundamental freedoms. In order to avoid a protec-
tion gap, there must be a seamless transition from the
• carry out fact-finding missions to countries;
former 1503 procedure to the new complaint procedure.
• send communications to governments concerning
OHCHR will also continue its support to the procedure’s
individual cases of alleged human rights violations;
implementing bodies and the closed meetings of the
• conduct thematic studies and research for reports to
Council and assist any independent expert appointed
UN bodies;
under the procedure.
• promote respect for human rights through various
public activities;
The Office will provide substantive support to the working
• hold consultations with civil society and other
group that will carry out the Universal Period Review
stakeholders; and
and will hold three two-week sessions per year for that
• provide advice on technical cooperation projects at
purpose. The situation in 48 Member States will be
the country level.
considered each year. OHCHR will prepare a compilation
of information regarding each State contained in the
OHCHR provides support to individual special procedures
reports of treaty bodies, special procedures and other
mechanisms and to their Coordination Committee,
relevant UN documents and a summary of information
established in 2005. This service includes thematic, policy
provided by other relevant stakeholders. These docu-
and legal expertise and advice, research and analytical
ments, together with the information prepared by the
work, and administrative and logistical assistance.
State concerned, will form the basis of the review. During
the sessions of the working group, the Office will also
• From January to October 2007, mandate-holders carried out
provide the necessary expertise and assistance to the
over 50 missions, including three follow-up missions to over
“troikas,” a group of three rapporteurs in charge of
40 countries.
facilitating the review.
• From January to September 2007, more than
740 communications were sent, concerning over
OHCHR will also work to ensure that relevant information
1,600 individuals.
is widely and expeditiously disseminated inside and
• In 2007, over 130 reports were submitted to UN organs,
outside the Office, and will continue to coordinate the
particularly the General Assembly and the Human Rights
submission of documentation for intergovernmental
Council.
and expert meetings and the calendar of meetings in
• Between January and October 2007, over 60 press releases
collaboration with other sections of the UN Secretariat.
were issued on human rights situations of concern.
The Office handles documents relating to the General
Assembly and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC),
the Human Rights Council and its related working groups
and procedures, the Confidential Complaint Procedure,
Current situation and challenges
Geneva-based treaty bodies, all communications, com-
plaints, and publications produced by the Office. The
When the Human Rights Council was established in
volume of documentation is expanding constantly, given
March 2006 by General Assembly Resolution 60/251,
the proliferation of ratifications of human rights treaties
it was called upon to “assume, review and, where
and the anticipated establishment of new organs.
necessary, improve and rationalize all mandates,
mechanisms, functions and responsibilities of the
Commission on Human Rights in order to maintain a
system of special procedures”. After a year of institution
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
31

PART 2
building, the Council adopted two resolutions: on its
special attention, the special procedures cover the priority
institution-building architecture and on a code of
human rights themes of the Office: impunity; poverty
conduct for special procedures mandate-holders. These
and global inequities; discrimination; armed conflict and
resolutions establish new procedures for selecting and
violence; and democratic deficit and weak institutions.
appointing mandate-holders, establish principles for the
The special procedures system, through its variety of
review, rationalization and improvement of individual
activities, also supports the main strategies of the Office:
mandates, and contain elements to guide mandate-
country engagement, leadership, partnerships, and work
holders in discharging their functions. In 2006/07,
with UN human rights bodies.
OHCHR facilitated the participation of mandate-holders,
through the Coordination Committee, in discussions
Coordination among special procedures
and meetings on the Human Rights Council’s institution-
mandate-holders
building process.
In order to achieve its goal to improve coherence and
consistency of human rights mechanisms, the Office
Further to its decision related to the review, rationaliza-
will facilitate improved coordination among special
tion and improvement of mandates, the Council began
procedures mandate-holders, particularly through the
assessing individual mandates in September 2007. Most
Coordination Committee. In the context of the review
work pertaining to the harmonized working methods of
of mandates by the Human Rights Council, the
special procedures will depend on the outcome of the
Coordination Committee has followed up issues of
review. Also, OHCHR will need to adjust to any change
common interest, in consultation with mandate-holders.
to the system as a whole. For example, at its sixth session
As a result, the Committee contributed to policy
in September 2007, the Council created a new mandate
discussions on behalf of all mandate-holders. In addition,
on contemporary forms of slavery. This mandate will
OHCHR has continued to support an increasing number
begin functioning in 2008, and OHCHR will provide
of joint activities by mandate-holders. For example,
the necessary servicing, consistent with its support to
the Independent Expert on minority issues and the
all special procedures mandates. In addition, a new
Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism,
selection procedure for mandate-holders has been
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
established. Over the next biennium, at least a dozen
intolerance undertook a joint fact-finding visit to
mandate-holders will be replaced and new mandate-
the Dominican Republic from 23 to 29 October 2007.
holders selected. The new mandate-holders will need
Furthermore, in 2007, over 50% of all communications
to be integrated into the special procedures system
sent by special procedures mandate holders have
through general, centralized induction and training,
been joint communications.
including on working methods, and through additional
staff support for individual mandate-holders.
In 2008/09, OHCHR will continue to assist the
Coordination Committee in developing more harmonized
working methods and ensuring a joint approach to
Programme
issues of common concern, including in relation to
the Council’s ongoing review of mandates and the
During 2008 and 2009, OHCHR intends to maintain its
new selection procedure. The Office will support the
support to mandate-holders in their efforts to achieve
Coordination Committee and mandate-holders in
greater coherence in and coordination of their work, and
revising the draft Manual on Special Procedures,
to ensure that the special procedures system continues
ensuring that the provisions of the Manual comply
to be a central element of the work of the Council,
with the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council in
including the Universal Periodic Review.
June 2007. The Office will also continue to encourage
efforts to streamline methods of work and ensure
With the Human Rights Council engaged in its institution-
greater coherence and effectiveness in the new
building process, the special procedures system is expected
institutional setting.
to continue performing its role to ensure that human
rights obligations are met, and to build the capacity of
Coordination with other human rights
States to guarantee the protection of human rights.
mechanisms
Accordingly, the Office will continue to adjust its work
In line with the goal of ensuring coordination with other
to respond to the requests of the Council as they relate to
human rights mechanisms, the Coordination Committee
special procedures, to provide quality support to the
and mandate-holders have stated their intention to
special procedures mechanisms, and to help ensure better
engage with other mechanisms of the Human Rights
implementation of their recommendations and findings
Council. The Office will thus ensure that the contributions
at the national level.
mandate-holders have been making to the international
human rights protection system are duly reflected in
With mandates focused on a wide range of civil, cultural,
the Universal Periodic Review. It may also support the
economic, political and social rights, as well as mandates
development of working relations between special
dedicated to certain groups and countries deserving
procedures mandate-holders and the newly established
32
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK
Advisory Committee, which is the successor to the
For its part, OHCHR will continue to provide legal
Sub-Commission on the promotion and protection of
expertise, research and analytical work to special
human rights. The Office also promotes close cooperation
procedures country missions and thematic studies
between special procedures and treaty bodies. In addition
with the aim of encouraging improved implementation
to referring to each other’s conclusions and recommenda-
of human rights obligations at the national level.
tions in their respective reports, special procedures
mandate-holders and members of treaty bodies increas-
In keeping with the Office’s efforts to help governments
ingly share information through briefings and invite
increase their implementation of recommendations
contributions in the development of general comments
of UN human rights mechanisms and bodies, and with
or other discussions on particular human rights issues.
its aim to sensitize the international community about
For example, in September 2007, the Special Rapporteur
critical human rights situations and issues, the Office
on the right to adequate housing as a component of the
will maintain its support of mandate-holders’ interaction
right to an adequate standard of living participated in a
with the Human Rights Council and the Third
general day of discussion of the Committee on the Rights
Committee of the General Assembly, through the
of the Child on resources for the protection of rights of
presentation of their reports and ensuring follow-up
the child. Also in September, the Human Rights Council
to their recommendations. Engagement with Member
decided to create a forum on minority issues to “provide
States of the Council and with civil society has improved
a platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation”
during the past biennium because of revised modalities
on issues pertaining to persons belonging to minority
for interaction with special procedures mandate-holders.
groups. The resolution establishing the forum foresees
The Council has increasingly called upon mandate-holders
a central role for the Independent Expert on minority
to address country situations through its special sessions
issues, who “shall guide the work of the forum” and build
and resolutions on specific countries or territories
upon its work. The Office will continue its efforts to
and OHCHR will continue to respond to the needs of
standardize coordination among different human rights
mandate holders in carrying out this work.
mechanisms and to promote joint discussions and reflec-
tion on issues of common interest in 2008/09.
Thematic leadership
On numerous occasions, special procedures mandate-
Country-level engagement and
holders have led the human rights community in analyzing
follow-up to special procedures
emerging human rights issues and developing new
recommendations
human rights standards. These efforts have contributed
The information stemming from the work of special
to the Office’s strategy to provide thematic leadership on
procedures, through communications, fact-finding
human rights issues of concern. For example, in
missions and related recommendations, is critical in
September 2007, the Special Rapporteur on torture and
identifying, assessing, and addressing gaps in the
other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
implementation of human rights at the country level,
held a consultation on strengthening the protection of
and will help the Office achieve its goal of ensuring
women from torture and identifying where the mandate
increased compliance with human rights standards
may need to change its working methods to better
and engagement with human rights mechanisms.
respond to the experiences of women and girls. The
For example, the Independent Expert on the situation
Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the
of human rights in Haiti has welcomed good cooperation
enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical
with the Government, noting progress in the implemen-
and mental health has highlighted the global inequities
tation of his recommendations, particularly in judicial
surrounding access to medicine, noting that 15% of the
and police reform and in the promotion of women's
world’s population consumes over 90% of the world’s
rights. The recommendations of the Independent
pharmaceutical products. In this regard, he held
Expert were also used to elaborate an OHCHR technical
numerous consultations to identify how pharmaceutical
cooperation project with the Human Rights Section
companies could contribute to the realization of this
of MINUSTAH. In April 2007, the Special Rapporteur
aspect of the right to health, culminating in the launch
on the situation of human rights and fundamental
of the draft Human Rights Guidelines for Pharmaceutical
freedoms of indigenous people and the Special
Companies in relation to Access to Medicines in
Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial
September 2007.
discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of
intolerance, as well as two experts of the former
Cooperation with the UN system and
Sub-Commission for the Promotion and Protection of
regional mechanisms
Human Rights participated in a technical advisory
The Office promotes greater integration of the work
mission to Nepal. The experts assisted OHCHR in
of special procedures into UN system policies and
designing national-level policies on discrimination-
programmes through continued cooperation with UN
related issues, with a special emphasis on the situation
Country Teams, especially through OHCHR field offices.
of indigenous peoples, dalits and other minorities
It will continue to encourage cooperation with regional
who live in the country.
organizations and mechanisms through consultations,
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33

PART 2
joint meetings or workshops organized with these bodies,
assist them in shaping their work and recommendations
so as to ensure a greater impact of special procedures
and in engaging with partners to ensure that their work
activities and avoid duplication or overlap. The Office
is reflected in public policy decision-making, planning,
builds on the good practices established by certain
programming and monitoring processes. Mandate-holders
mandate-holders to engage with their counterparts in
have regular contact with civil society actors through their
regional systems. For example, the Representative of
country missions, participation in events, and presence at
the Secretary-General on the human rights of internally
the Human Rights Council.
displaced persons and the Special Rapporteur on
refugees and internally displaced persons of the African
With regard to civil society, OHCHR undertook an
Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights have
evaluation of the outreach capacity of special procedures
engaged in discussions about the drafting of an African
and their collaboration with civil society actors. This
Union instrument on the protection of internally
evaluation identified good practices and areas, both
displaced persons. The Special Rapporteur on torture
substantive and geographic, in need of further attention.
and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
For example, the evaluation recommended more
has established a close working relationship with the
interaction with civil society as a source of information;
European human rights mechanisms, including the
more regular sharing of information on special
Committee for the Prevention of Torture of the Council of
procedures activities and reports; enlarging the network
Europe, and with the European Union, especially with
of civil society contacts in Africa and the Middle East;
regard to challenges to the absolute prohibition of
and facilitating access to special procedures through
torture in the context of the fight against terrorism.
harmonized websites and information tools translated
into official UN languages. During the fourth session of
Interaction with civil society,
the Human Rights Council alone (March 2007), mandate-
especially marginalized groups,
holders held over 80 meetings with civil society actors
and awareness-raising activities
to discuss specific human rights issues. These occasions
OHCHR will continue to engage with civil society actors,
have helped raise awareness about human rights and the
including NGOs and national human rights institutions, in
value of the special procedures system. OHCHR will
order to raise awareness about and disseminate special
continue to improve information tools on special
procedures’ work and to increase the number and diversity
procedures, including the website, thereby ensuring
of rights-holders and institutions making use of special
better access, in official UN languages, to general infor-
procedures mechanisms. The Office will also maintain its
mation about special procedures, information on country
support to thematic mandates in all areas of civil, cultural,
visits and thematic studies, special procedures reports,
economic, political and social rights, including the rights
and summaries of special procedures analyses and
of marginalized and discriminated groups, in order to
recommendations.
Visit of Jean Ziegler, Special Rapporteur on the right to food, to Bolivia, May 2007. © OHCHR
34
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK
SPECIAL PROCEDURES MANDATE-HOLDERS AS AT 30 OCTOBER 2007
Established
Mandate
Mandate holder
in
Country mandates:
Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Burundi
2004
Mr. Akich OKOLA (Kenya)
Special Representative of the Secretary-General for human rights in Cambodia
1993
Mr. Yash Ghai (Kenya)
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
2004
Mr. Vitit MUNTARBHORN (Thailand)
Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
2004
Mr. Titinga Frédéric PACÉRÉ (Burkina Faso)
Independent Expert appointed by the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in Haiti
1995
Mr. Louis JOINET (France)
Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Liberia
2003
Ms. Charlotte ABAKA (Ghana)
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar
1992
Mr. Paulo Sérgio PINHEIRO (Brazil)
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967
1993
Mr. John DUGARD (South Africa)
Independent Expert appointed by the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in Somalia
1993
Mr. Ghanim ALNAJJAR (Kuwait)
Special Rapporteur on the situation on human rights in the Sudan
2005
Ms. Sima SAMAR (Afghanistan)
Thematic mandates:
Special Rapporteur on adequate housing as a component of the right to an adequate standard
2000
Mr. Miloon KOTHARI (India)
of living
Working Group on people of African descent
2002
Mr. Peter Lesa KASANDA (Zambia)
Mr. Joe FRANS (Sweden)
Mr. George N. JABBOUR
(Syrian Arab Republic)
Ms. Irina ZLATESCU (Romania)
Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
1991
Ms. Leila ZERROUGUI (Algeria)
Mr. Tamás BÁN (Hungary)
Ms. Manuela Carmena CASTRILLO (Spain)
Mr. Seyyed Mohammad HASHEMI
(Islamic Republic of Iran)
Ms. Soledad VILLAGRA DE BIEDERMANN
(Paraguay)
Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography
1990
Mr. Juan Miguel PETIT (Uruguay)
Special Rapporteur on the right to education
1998
Mr. Vernor MUÑOZ VILLALOBOS
(Costa Rica)
Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances
1980
Mr. Santiago CORCUERA CABEZUT
(Mexico)
Mr. Joel ADEBAYO ADEKANYE
(Nigeria)
Mr. Darko GÖTTLICHER ( Croatia )
Mr. Saeed Rajaee KHORASANI
(Islamic Republic of Iran)
Mr. Stephen J. TOOPE (Canada)
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PART 2
Established
Mandate
Mandate holder
in
Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
1982
Mr. Philip ALSTON (Australia)
Independent Expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty
1998
Mr. Arjun SENGUPTA (India)
Special Rapporteur on the right to food
2000
Mr. Jean ZIEGLER (Switzerland)
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and
1993
Mr. Ambeyi LIGABO (Kenya)
expression
Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
1986
Ms. Asma JAHANGIR (Pakistan)
Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of
2002
Mr. Paul HUNT (New Zealand)
physical and mental health
Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders
2000
Ms. Hina JILANI (Pakistan)
Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers
1994
Mr. Leandro DESPOUY (Argentina)
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of
2001
Mr. Rodolfo STAVENHAGEN (Mexico)
indigenous people
Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights of internally displaced persons
2004
Mr. Walter Kälin (Switzerland)
Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of impeding the exercise of the right of
2005
Ms. Amada BENAVIDES DE PÉREZ (Colombia)
peoples to self-determination
Ms. Najat AL-HAJJAJI (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya)
Mr. José GÓMEZ DEL PRADO (Spain)
Mr. Alexander Ivanovich NIKITIN
(Russian Federation)
Ms. Shaista SHAMEEM (Fiji)
Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants
1999
Mr. Jorge A. BUSTAMANTE (Mexico)
Independent Expert on minority issues
2005
Ms. Gay MCDOUGALL
(United States of America)
Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
1993
Mr. Doudou DIÈNE (Senegal)
related intolerance
Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity
2005
Mr. Rudi Muhammad RIZKI (Indonesia)
Independent expert on the effects of economic reform policies and foreign debt on the full
2000
Mr. Bernards Andrew NYAMWAYA MUDHO
enjoyment of human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights
(Kenya)
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism
2005
Mr. Martin SCHEININ (Finland)
Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
1985
Mr. Manfred Nowak (Austria)
Special Rapporteur on the adverse effects of the illicit movement and dumping of toxic and
1995
Mr. Okechukwu IBEANU (Nigeria)
dangerous products and wastes on the enjoyment of human rights
Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
2004
Ms. Sigma HUDA (Bangladesh)
Special Representative of the Secretary-General on human rights and transnational corporations
2005
Mr. John Ruggie (United States of America)
and other business enterprises
Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences
1994
Ms. Yakin ERTÜRK (Turkey)
36
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK
HUMAN RIGHTS
Although multiple initiatives have sought ways to realize
MAINSTREAMING,
the visions and aspirations of the DDPA, many of the
RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT,
Durban pledges remain to be translated into national
RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS
action plans and programmes for better treatment of
victims; into more stringent anti-discrimination legislation
and administrative measures; and into universal
While pursuing its strategies of strengthened country
ratification and implementation of the International
engagement, leadership, partnership and synergy with
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial
the UN human rights bodies, OHCHR will work to
Discrimination and other relevant international treaties.
advance the integration of human rights and their gen-
der dimension into the policies, programmes and activi-
The Durban Review Conference scheduled for 2009
ties of the entire UN system, particularly at the country
will offer an opportunity to compare best practices,
level. During 2008-2009, OHCHR will continue to provide
to analyze the long-standing and emerging obstacles
expertise and support in key cross-cutting themes in
to the realization of the Durban vision, and render
human rights: equality and non-discrimination; indi-
justice to the universal aspirations of equality and
genous peoples’ and minority rights, development; eco-
non-discrimination that it captured in 2001.
nomic, social and cultural rights; rule of law, transitional
justice and democracy; human rights-based approaches
OHCHR’s strategies benefiting equality and non-
to peace and security and humanitarian work; human
discrimination will include the development of
rights methodologies and human rights education.
awareness-raising tools and training materials to
strengthen the implementation of the relevant
Current situation and challenges
international human rights standards and help to
Despite successive UN reform programmes, a lack of
eradicate the structural, cultural and psychological
coherence persists between the normative and operational
dimensions of racism and discrimination. The process
work of the UN system, with regard to human rights.
set in motion through preparations for the Durban
The demands faced by OHCHR in supporting the UN
Review Conference and the Conference itself, will offer
system’s efforts to mainstream human rights have
the opportunity for evaluating progress and identifying
continued to increase, both quantitatively and qualita-
challenges in combating racism and discrimination
tively. Accordingly, efforts to strengthen support,
and will be a major area of focus.
commitment and accountabilities within the UN system,
including at the level of Resident and Humanitarian
The adoption by the General Assembly of the United
Coordinators and Special Representatives of the
Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Secretary-General, will be prioritized in the 2008-2009
in September 2007 and the decision by the Human
biennium, along with initiatives to deepen knowledge,
Rights Council to establish a Minorities Forum and
practical skills and commitment to human rights
consider a further subsidiary expert body on indigenous
mainstreaming in all areas of United Nations work.
peoples, signal the international community’s continuing
concerns for these groups. The Office will be expected to
OHCHR’s strategy in the field of equality and non-
take leadership in promoting the Declaration as a policy
discrimination will aim to further the implementation of
framework at all levels and within the UN system and to
the 2001 Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
continue to promote the principles of full participation
(DDPA), in areas where the legacies of racism, racial dis-
by minority groups in public life as guaranteed in the
crimination, xenophobia and intolerance still linger. The
Minorities Declaration.
Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA)
set the pace and framework for progress on the pressing
OHCHR’s leadership within the UN system in several
issue of eradicating racism, racial discrimination, xeno-
areas related to the rule of law was acknowledged during
phobia and related intolerance. Three follow-up mech-
the past biennium. As a principal area of focus, the Office
anisms were established: the Working Group of Experts
will continue to draw on its unique and close relationship
on People of African Descent; the Intergovernmental
with the bodies that develop international human rights
Working Group on the effective implementation of the
law to design and implement an action-oriented
Durban Declaration and Programme of Action; and the
multidimensional rule-of-law programme. With the
group of Independent Eminent Experts.
aim of advancing conformity of national law and
practice with international human rights obligations,
Since their inception, these mechanisms have studied
the Office will continue to build on its previous work
complementary standards to fill normative gaps, and
on strengthening institutions capable of providing
the interrelation between racism and thematic areas,
human rights protection, particularly those devoted
such as education, poverty, health, globalization, racial
to administering justice and accountability.
profiling and the Internet. These bodies have made
concrete recommendations to States as well as non-
Devising effective measures to tackle impunity for
governmental organizations to spur action.
gross violations of human rights remains one of the key
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PART 2
challenges faced by OHCHR today. As the Office develops
ADOPTING A GENDER APPROACH AND
its country engagement strategies to protect the rights
of individuals within their societies, it must address
SAFEGUARDING WOMEN’S RIGHTS
deficiencies in the national protection systems that may
lead to such abuse in areas such as development, equality,
The Women’s Human Rights and Gender Unit was created in
and the rule of law.
2006 in order to ensure that a gender perspective is reflected
in all the aspects of the work of the Office, as well as to help
During the past biennium, the Office has stepped
deepen its knowledge and expertise. In 2007, OHCHR thus
up its work in the area of economic, social and cultural
concentrated on women’s right to access justice, particularly
rights as part of its effort to promote a comprehensive
with regard to situations of violence; economic, social and
vision of human rights, reflecting their indivisibility,
cultural rights; and political representation. Position papers
interdependence and interrelatedness. During
were developed on the prosecution of sexual violence, the
2008-2009, OHCHR will continue to strengthen its
protection of social and economic rights in the post conflict
work on economic, social and cultural rights with
contexts, and on discriminatory legislation. Strategies were
priority given to activities on specific rights at the
developed for the integration of gender into the larger field
national level; legal protection of economic, social and
presences and this integration will continue in this biennium.
cultural rights; development of training materials
and tools; and strengthening of the Office’s capacity
In 2008-2009 the Office will continue this focus, aiming to
to work with partners on these rights. Moreover,
strengthen the analyses and its ability, through appropriate
the Office will continue its support for the inter-
tools, training, advice and advocacy, to assist States to safeguard
governmental negotiations on an Optional Protocol
women’s rights. Emphasis will be placed on the prosecution
to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
of sexual violence and impunity, and the need for positive
Cultural Rights.
discrimination in the area of economic, social and cultural
rights. A major conference is planned for September 2008,
Regarding the rights of persons with disabilities,
to address the obstacles that women face when seeking
OHCHR will seek to ensure that the human rights
justice. In addition the unit will be conducting comparative
mechanisms and the UN system as a whole participate
legal analyses of human rights protection for gays, lesbians,
in the mainstreaming of these rights as contained in
bi-sexuals and transgendered people. A gender audit of the
the new Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Office is also included in OHCHR’s plans for the biennium.
Disabilities (CRPD).
In relation to the promotion and protection of human
rights in the context of business activities, challenges
Programme
ahead include defining the evolving role of OHCHR in
the Global Compact and providing support and expert
In order to encourage increased compliance with
advice to the mandate of the Special Representative
human rights standards by national institutions and
of the Secretary-General on the issue of human rights
in national laws and programmes, OHCHR intends to
and transnational corporations and other business
develop guidelines intended to assist States to design
enterprises.
and implement national action plans for combating
racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
During the past biennium, the Office devoted increased
intolerance. OHCHR will also develop guidelines on the
efforts to develop policy and methodological guidance
elaboration and implementation of national legislation
for the conduct of human rights work by OHCHR,
against racial discrimination.
including its field offices, and other actors; to develop
mechanisms for the sharing and management of
In the rule of law and democracy area, OHCHR will
knowledge on substantive human rights issues; and to
continue its systematic engagement with judges and
more systematically document, identify and promote
lawyers, monitoring formal justice systems, improving
good practices. Needs assessment and programme
access to justice, particularly for the poor, and providing
reviews, as well as demands by OHCHR partners, point
an analysis of informal justice systems. OHCHR will draw
to a continuing need in this area. During the 2008-2009
on the experience of a group of senior national judges to
biennium, this work will be consolidated to ensure
help foster collaboration with national judiciaries.
that programmes are carried out in line with consistent
quality standards and the best advice and assistance are
With regard to economic, social and cultural rights,
provided to national counterparts and international
OHCHR will provide guidance and training materials
partners. In addition to the thematic areas outlined
on legislative and policy reform to raise awareness and
below, priority will be given to key human rights
increase knowledge of these rights among national
methods of work such as assessment, monitoring and
institutions. Also, OHCHR will strengthen and
investigations, education and training, and integration
consolidate its partnerships with other UN agencies,
of human rights in peace operations.
particularly with WHO, UN-HABITAT and FAO, as well
38
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK
as with civil society actors at regional and international
guidelines and tools on the Minorities Declaration
levels in relation to these rights.
and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Best practices will be made available to meet the needs
Regarding the assessment of human rights gaps and
of partners on issues, including indigenous justice
their causes, OHCHR will continue to refine relevant
systems, integration of minorities into public life, such as
methodologies for the assessment with a view to devel-
in policing and efforts to protect isolated indigenous
oping appropriate responses through country engage-
peoples. Attention will be made to strengthening part-
ment strategies which include close cooperation with
nerships with inter-agency networks, in particular to
national, regional and international actors.
implement the workplan on indigenous issues agreed
upon by the United Nations Development Group and
In this connection, there has also been a growing
with non-governmental organizations through the
demand for appropriate human rights indicators and
continuing improvement of the fellowship and human
statistical information to help assess country human
rights training programme. The objective in the biennium
rights situations, as well as to promote and monitor the
will be to further integrate indigenous and minority
implementation of human rights. During the 2006-2007
rights into the policies and programmes of OHCHR and
biennium, OHCHR, in consultation with a panel of
the UN system, including through staff training.
experts, developed a conceptual and methodological
framework on indicators for both economic, social and
OHCHR also aims at ensuring that justice and account-
cultural rights and civil and political rights. During the
ability mechanisms are established and functioning in
2008-2009 biennium, the Office will strengthen the
accordance with international human rights standards, to
analytical framework and focus on consolidating and
monitor, investigate and redress civil and political, as well
operationalizing this work at country level.
as economic, social and cultural human rights violations.
In this respect, the Office will also continue to strengthen
Enhanced thematic expertise and technical support will
accountability structures with a view to reducing
be provided to national and international human rights
impunity and to ensure that breaches of human rights
stakeholders and monitoring mechanisms. OHCHR will
law do not go unpunished. A particular emphasis will be
address the “knowledge gap” identified in the Plan of
placed on the efficiency of investigations. To close the
Action by developing guidelines, tools and programmes
impunity gap, the Office will also further deepen its
to support human rights education and training
cooperation with the International Criminal Court and
activities implemented by national actors, as well as by
will elaborate practical tools to guide staff members in
staff and other interested parties, while ensuring the
this area. The Office will also develop and update policies
coordination of the World Programme for Human Rights
and methodological guidance and tools; identify good
Education launched in 2005. OHCHR will continue to
practices; develop and provide training; and maintain
produce materials adapted to the needs of the target
reference services, resource centres and forums for
audiences and that continue to be relevant to the areas
exchange of experience among OHCHR staff.
prioritized for the biennium.
OHCHR will also focus on strengthening its own capacity
Efforts will continue to promote integration of
in the area of monitoring, fact finding and investigations
indigenous peoples and minority rights into public
to increase the methodological soundness and coherence
policies through the development of expertise,
of its work, including with regard to the work of field
High Commissioner Louise Arbour visits Jesús de Machaca indigenous community, Bolivia, March 2007. © OHCHR/E. Tamburi
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
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PART 2
offices, commissions of inquiry, special procedures, and
OHCHR will prepare training modules and publications
rapid response. It will develop and update policies and
on the CRPD and the use of human rights mechanisms
methodological guidance and tools in areas such as
and bodies for use by persons with disabilities. The
analysis and documentation of human rights information,
Office will also maintain and improve a database of
protection of sources, monitoring of economic, social and
contacts with disabled people’s organizations.
cultural rights. A human rights case database will be
finalized and used in OHCHR and DPKO field offices;
Democratic deficit is a key challenge that OHCHR
training for staff and external partners will be provided
will continue to address. In this respect, the Office will
and reference services, resources and communities of
continue to assist national parliaments in the
practice for OHCHR staff will be maintained.
elaboration of laws aimed at protecting human rights.
With respect to the prosecution of sexual violence and
As part of the efforts to strengthen the High
the need to support positive measures to end gender
Commissioner’s leadership role in raising awareness
discrimination, particularly in post-conflict situations,
of and increasing the international community’s
advocacy activities will be launched within the UN, and
responsiveness to critical, challenging and emerging
at regional and national levels, to promote the adoption
human rights issues, the Office will issue publications,
of measures recommended by OHCHR.
research papers, fact sheets, and thematic reports. The
60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human
One of the Office’s expected accomplishments relates
Rights offers an opportunity for raising awareness of
to the increased number of measures taken to allow
international standards, as well as of the activities of
marginalized and discriminated groups to participate in
OHCHR and human rights mechanisms, among States,
public policy decision-making and monitoring processes.
UN Country Teams and civil society.
OHCHR will continue to promote compliance with
human rights obligations relating to equality and
TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE
non-discrimination. In addition, the Office will organize
activities to promote dialogue within and among
OHCHR will also pursue its lead role on transitional justice
communities and will facilitate the participation of
issues pursuant to the UN Policy Committee discussions and
underrepresented groups, in particular people of
the subsequent Secretary-General’s decision No. 2006/47
African descent, in the work of UN human rights
of 7 November 2006 on the rule of law. The Office will
mechanisms and bodies.
continue to provide advice and assistance, and particularly
training, on the basis of nine policy tools it has already
Drawing from its experience in promoting consultative
developed on issues relating to transitional justice such as
mechanisms for indigenous peoples in UN Country
truth commissions, prosecution initiatives, amnesties, and
Teams, particularly from Bolivia, OHCHR will advocate
vetting. The Office will also elaborate a tenth tool in this series
that improved and formal consultative processes be
on the subject of preservation of national archives. Also, in
developed with indigenous and minority groups. The
carrying out the role assigned to OHCHR pursuant to the 2007
Office will continue to extend substantive and organiza-
UN Policy Committee decision on constitutional reform, the
tional support to the voluntary funds on indigenous
Office will follow up on its 2007 mapping of the UN system’s
populations and contemporary forms of slavery (see
expertise in human rights and constitution-making. A tool will
page 101) by creating space for dialogue between States,
be prepared with the objective of contributing to strengthening
experts and these groups. The Indigenous and Minorities
UN capacity in this area.
Fellowship Programme supported by OHCHR will also
contribute to achieving this expected accomplishment.
The High Commissioner dedicated International
Once the Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Human Rights Day in 2006 to the topic of poverty
Disabilities enters into force, States parties will be
and human rights, and has consistently lent her voice
obliged to ensure that persons with disabilities and
to ensure that violations associated with poverty
their representative organizations participate in the
are identified and that persons responsible are held
development and implementation of related legislation
accountable.
and policies. To this end, OHCHR will support human
rights field presences by developing training modules,
In the past biennium, OHCHR undertook an assessment
awareness-raising materials and a national monitoring
exercise by examining different modes of field engage-
handbook and by conducting training and other
ment with a view to identifying how it could add value
activities to empower persons with disabilities and
to the approach of the UN system in addressing
their representative organizations.
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and poverty
from a human rights perspective. In 2008-2009, OHCHR
In order to increase the number and diversity of rights
will consolidate this conceptual and analytical effort.
holders and institutions acting on their behalf making
Thematic modules on human rights, poverty and the
use of UN human rights mechanisms and bodies,
MDGs will be integrated within the UN Common
40
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009

OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK
Learning Package on a Rights-Based Approach to
their request in order to build national capacities to
Common Country Assessment (CCA) and the UN
protect human rights. Mainstreaming human rights has
Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).
led to an enormous increase in demand for OHCHR
input, expertise, advice, assistance, and other forms of
The Office will also deploy further efforts to ensure
cooperation. Consequently, developing and strengthening
that a human rights-based approach to development
thematic expertise, and human rights knowledge
strategies takes into account the linkages between
management will continue in 2008-2009, in partnership
human rights, good governance, and anti-corruption
with other UN agencies.
measures. This strategy will in turn contribute to
increasing understanding of the right to development
THE RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT
and the integration of its promotion and protection in
global development partnerships. OHCHR will deepen
The Office will make a concerted effort to further the integration
its expertise as related to the relationship between
of the promotion and protection of the right to development in
human rights and development, in areas such as
global partnerships and into the policies and operational
liberalization of trade in services, foreign direct
activities of relevant actors at all levels. Additionally, OHCHR
investment, and trade-related aspects of intellectual
will continue to support the UN Working Group on the Right
property rights in light of the negative impact they
to Development and its High-level Task Force by providing
can have on human rights.
research, as well as analytical and operational assistance.
During 2008-2009, additional emphasis will be placed on
OHCHR’s human trafficking project for 2008-2009 will
improving awareness, knowledge and understanding of the
examine the connections between human trafficking
right to development. OHCHR will organize activities and
globally, including its complex connections with
produce analytical papers and information materials to
migration, development, discrimination, denial of
achieve this objective.
economic, social and cultural rights, and access to
justice. It will also address the adverse effects that
anti-trafficking measures have on the human rights of
Regarding the linkages between human rights, peace and
trafficked persons. The Office will focus on consolidating
security, the Office will continue to support the implemen-
and improving its thematic expertise in the context
tation of the 2005 Secretary-General’s Policy Committee
of country, regional and subregional engagement.
decisions on human rights in integrated missions. OHCHR
In this regard, preparation of user-friendly tools,
will continue to work with the Department of Peacekeeping
compilation of good practices and lessons learned, as
Operations (DPKO) and, when relevant, the Department of
well as training to integrate human rights into anti-
Political Affairs (DPA), and contribute to the development of
trafficking work will be undertaken.
guidance for senior management, human rights, military
and police components of peace operations.
The protection and promotion of human rights are
essential not only in preventing the spread of HIV and
In the context of the UN-African Union ten-year capacity-
AIDS and in mitigating the social and economic impact
building programme, OHCHR will seek to integrate
of the pandemic, but also in protecting those infected
human rights in the emerging African Union peacekeeping
and affected by the HIV virus. During the 2008-2009
doctrine. Training efforts will focus on enhancing the
biennium, OHCHR will continue its cooperation and
human rights awareness and capacity of Special
partnership with UNAIDS, WHO and regional
Representatives of the Secretary-General and other senior
organizations in an effort to ensure that the rights of
staff and on supporting the integration of human rights
people affected by HIV and AIDS are protected and
in international, regional and national training pro-
that they have access to health care. There is a growing
grammes for military and police personnel to be deployed
need for the inclusion of human rights protection and
to peace operations. Concerning humanitarian action,
promotion programmes benefiting persons infected by
OHCHR will seek to support the Office engagement with
HIV and AIDS in country strategies and in programmes
the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) through the
implemented with UN Country Teams.
development of human rights modules for the learning
and briefing system for Humanitarian Coordinators, and
Finally, the Office aims to improve the integration
of guidance for humanitarian actors on engaging with
of human rights standards and principles, including
national authorities on human rights issues.
the right to development, into UN system policies and
programmes with respect to development, humanitarian
OHCHR will focus on the implementation of the human
action, peace and security, and economic and social
rights dimensions of the Secretary-General’s Global
issues.
Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and explore the impact of
counter-terrorism measures on economic, social and
Launched in 2004, the “Action 2” global programme was
cultural rights with the aim of filling a gap already
intended to help UN agencies and UN Country Teams to
identified during the implementation of the 2007
provide more effective assistance to Member States at
programme on this issue.
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
41

PART 2
ADVISORY SERVICES AND
intrinsically linked to protection. Technical cooperation
TECHNICAL COOPERATION
projects are implemented, as a rule, where OHCHR has
a presence.
OHCHR’s activities at the country level are aimed at
preventing and reducing human rights violations,
Current situation and challenges
mainly through strengthening national protection
systems. Field presences and country-focused activities
During 2006 and 2007, OHCHR focused on developing
are a critical means of promoting implementation of
Headquarters’ capacity to support greater and more
international human rights standards. The Office
effective country engagement. The Office developed
advocates for and assists in bringing national legislation
standard field presence profiles and issued standard
and practice into line with States’ human rights
operating procedures; strengthened some field offices
obligations under international human rights law.
with additional human and/or financial resources; and
promoted the use of standard mandates.
OHCHR facilitates and supports the work, at the country
and regional level, of UN human rights mechanisms and
OHCHR also focused on deepening its partnerships
provides technical support to national counterparts. It
with other operational UN entities. In particular, it
works closely with relevant national authorities, NGOs
enhanced support to human rights components of
and human rights defenders, as well as with UN partners.
peace missions. It also worked on furthering cooperation
The Office follows human rights developments at the
with UN Country Teams, including through the
country level and, where it has the capacity to do so,
adoption of standard policies on the function of
reports publicly on these.
human rights advisers.
OHCHR’s technical cooperation work is conducted
OHCHR’s field presences, which at the beginning of 2006
upon request of governments and based on comprehen-
numbered 34, had, by the end of 2007, reached a total
sive human rights needs assessments. The development
of 47, and are expected to increase to 59 during the next
and provision of appropriate technical cooperation is
biennium. While the number of country offices and
OHCHR-organized seminar on the role of national human rights institutions in conflict prevention, Belfast, December 2006.
© Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission/Ciaran O’Maolain
42
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009

OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK
human rights components of peace missions is expected
United Nations technical assessment missions. Another
to remain stable in 2008-2009, there will be additional
major role of the Unit is to work closely with UN
regional offices and human rights advisers. While the
operational partners, including DPKO, DPA, OCHA and
establishment of new regional offices has proven to be
UNHCR, to ensure that there are adequately resourced
slower than expected, such offices are expected to be up
human rights components in UN peace missions.
and running in the course of 2008. Eleven human rights
advisers were deployed to UN Country Teams in 2007
Developing national human rights protection systems
alone – funded either directly by the Office or by the
is also an essential component of OHCHR’s country
“Action 2” programme – compared to only two in 2006,
engagement and partnerships. In this context, in
which had been funded solely by OHCHR.
2006-2007, OHCHR continued to support a large number
of national human rights institutions (NHRIs). In particular,
In order to respond to the growing number of requests
the Office played a significant role in promoting their
by governments and by the Human Rights Council
compliance with the Paris Principles and fostering
for a rapid response to critical human rights situations,
greater interaction between NHRIs and the international
a Peace Missions Support and Rapid Response Unit
human rights system. This resulted in increased submis-
was created in 2006 within Headquarters (see Section
sions of information from NHRIs to treaty bodies and
on cross-cutting support). Since its creation, the Unit has
more exchanges with special procedures mandate-
provided support for the establishment and activities
holders, and in increased participation of NHRIs at the
of four commissions of inquiry or fact-finding missions
Human Rights Council.
either requested by a government, or mandated by the
Human Rights Council, and participated in several
SUPPORTING NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS
National human rights institutions in full compliance with the
The Office facilitates interaction between NHRIs and the
Principles Relating to the Status and Functioning of National
international human rights system, including the Human Rights
Institutions for Protection and Promotion of Human Rights (“Paris
Council and its new mechanism, the Universal Periodic Review,
Principles”) are the cornerstones of strong national human rights
the special procedures mandate-holders and UN human rights
protection systems, as they can be one of the best mechanisms at
treaty bodies.
country level to ensure the application of international human rights
norms. NHRIs can address critical human rights gaps, ensure the
OHCHR cooperates closely with UN Country Teams in:
rule of law, fight impunity, and complement the actions of
international human rights mechanisms. Because they operate at the
• developing a national consensus, involving all key
domestic level, they can ensure follow-up to the recommendations of
stakeholders, in order to “seed” the idea of NHRIs, gather
international mechanisms and hold the authorities accountable with
national support, and adhere to the Paris Principles, making
respect to their human rights obligations. By increasing national
use of best practices and lessons learned of existing NHRIs;
ownership, they can improve the chances for success and
• establishing a national process, encouraging and supporting
sustainability of UN Country Team efforts in the area of good
national ownership for creating a NHRI, encouraging the
governance, rule of law and human rights. They can also facilitate
creation of one or more working groups with a pluralistic
interaction among all the elements of the national protection system,
composition to examine and recommend the features of a
such as the judiciary, Parliament, and civil society organizations.
new NHRI;
• developing a statutory base and enabling legislation, ensuring
An essential element of OHCHR’s country engagement strategy
that Parliament and other officials are aware of the statutory
is the support given to establishing and strengthening NHRIs
powers that a NHRI requires to undertake effective programming;
worldwide, including through technical cooperation projects.
ensuring that Parliament and other officials are aware that the
The Office reviews draft laws concerning NHRIs and advises on
enabling legislation should establish the separate, legal identity
matters relating to compliance with the Paris Principles; provides
of the NHRI; defining the scope of its responsibilities and the
guidance notes, methodological tools, best practices and lessons
legal authority that the NHRI can exercise in the implementation
learned on NHRI-related issues; and supports effective interaction
of its responsibilities; where appropriate, establishing the
between NHRIs and the judiciary, Parliament, and NGOs.
complaint process and the remedies available; defining the
membership, membership criteria, selection and dismissal
OHCHR also supports the International Coordinating Committee
process, term duration and privileges and immunities of
of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human
members; granting the right to employ staff; and describing
Rights (ICC). The Sub-committee on Accreditation of the ICC,
reporting procedures, preferably to Parliament; and
which meets twice a year to review compliance of NHRIs with the
• designing an organizational structure of each NHRI that allows
Paris Principles, also assesses the effectiveness and independence
for the effective delivery of programmes.
of NHRIs’ actions and makes time-bound recommendations to
strengthen their independence and effectiveness.
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
43

PART 2
Programme
Security, and the Executive Committee on Humanitarian
Affairs. Attention will be devoted to further strengthening
In 2008 and 2009, OHCHR will continue to build
cooperation with DPKO, DPA and other departments in
closer partnerships with national and international
New York to ensure the implementation of Policy
counterparts, further strengthen its field presences, and
Committee decisions relevant to human rights and
enhance work from Headquarters on countries where
OHCHR activities.
there is no OHCHR presence and where there are major
human rights challenges.
Furthermore, the Office will continue to strengthen
partnerships with UN Country Teams to enhance
Through OHCHR’s programmes and activities, it is
UN advocacy on human rights issues at the country level
expected that duty-bearers will be better informed
and ensure a coherent response from the UN system
on human rights standards and on how to translate
to human rights challenges. The human rights capacity
them into national laws, regulations and policies, while
of UN Country Teams will be further expanded and
rights-holders will be further empowered to claim
strengthened, including through the “Action 2” pro-
their rights. This will be achieved through cooperation
gramme and support to the “One UN” pilot countries.
with governmental and non-governmental partners,
This will include providing substantive advice to UN
including through capacity-building activities. In this
Country Teams, backstopping and deploying human
context, assistance for greater participation in public
rights advisers, and contributing to the work of relevant
policy decision-making and monitoring processes by
inter-agency mechanisms in Geneva and New York.
groups that are marginalized or discriminated against
will be emphasized.
The Office will also develop joint initiatives and strategic
partnerships with regional organizations.
In particular, OHCHR will support – and in some cases
lead – efforts to establish or consolidate justice and
Since NHRIs are key national protection counterparts,
accountability mechanisms at the national level, in
the Office will continue to support their work. OHCHR
accordance with international human rights standards, to
will support individual NHRIs, regional networks and
monitor, investigate and redress violations of civil, political,
the International Coordinating Committee as well as
economic, social and cultural rights. Amicus curiae briefs
governments that are considering establishing or
on human rights-related cases will also be used.
strengthening national institutions in accordance with
the Paris Principles. The Office will continue focusing on
Public reports and statements will be issued to highlight
promoting greater compliance of NHRIs with the Paris
critical country situations and human rights issues
Principles, on consolidating the role of the ICC and its
and make recommendations to address them at the
Sub-committee on Accreditation, enhancing dialogue
national and regional levels.
between NHRIs and UN human rights mechanisms, and
building their capacity to address human rights issues.
The Office will also improve its capacity for responding
in a timely and systematic manner to human rights crises
OHCHR will pursue closer cooperation with civil society
by establishing additional standard operating procedures
organizations at the national, regional and international
for rapid response activities. It will also complete the
levels. It will conduct regular briefings, involve human
procurement of an equipment reserve for emergency
rights NGOs in seminars, workshops as well as substantive
needs. An important objective will be to strengthen
activities, implement awareness-raising and capacity-
partnerships with relevant emergency actors. The Office
building programmes for targeted groups, and provide
will also establish and manage internal and external
information on OHCHR country-specific work for the
rosters of experts, including one for senior level staff,
implementation of human rights activities.
for rapid response activities. In addition, it will develop
further expertise in the area of investigation, fact-finding
Supporting the Universal Periodic Review mechanism
and human rights needs assessment.
will represent a major undertaking in the coming period.
OHCHR will also continue supporting the work of special
OHCHR will continue to provide support to DPKO and
procedures and treaty bodies. In this context, it will
DPA-led UN technical assessment missions in order to
promote the ratification of human rights treaties and
ensure that human rights strategies are reflected in the
the review of reservations.
mandates of peace missions and are fully integrated into
their plans. Greater integration of human rights in
humanitarian programmes will also be pursued, inter
alia through participation in the Inter-Agency Standing
Committee.
The Office will work more closely with the UN Policy
Committee, the Executive Committee on Peace and
44
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009

OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK – FIELD ACTIVITIES
FIELD ACTIVITIES
Country offices
OHCHR has country offices in Angola, Bolivia, Cambodia,
Country and regional level field presences, either as
Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Nepal, Togo, and Uganda,
OHCHR offices or as joint endeavours with other UN
as well as stand-alone offices in the occupied Palestinian
entities, are crucial for achieving OHCHR’s overall
territories and Kosovo (Serbia).
objective of helping to bridge the gaps in human rights
implementation.
The usual legal basis for the establishment of country
and stand-alone offices is a standard agreement
All field presences base their activities on the full
with the respective government, based on the High
spectrum of the High Commissioner’s mandate, as
Commissioner’s mandate. OHCHR’s country and stand-
defined by General Assembly Resolution 48/141, and on
alone offices support national efforts aimed at strength-
a strategy, particular to each country, developed through
ening respect for human rights. To this end, they analyse
an assessment of the situation and consultations with
and report publicly on the human rights situation in
national authorities and other relevant stakeholders.
the country, and recommend the formulation and imple-
OHCHR’s field presences differ in size, reporting lines
mentation of necessary measures to enhance the protec-
and funding.
tion of human rights. They promote the implementation
of the recommendations made by the international
human rights mechanisms, and provide support,
Regional presences
through technical cooperation and advice, to the authori-
ties and other national stakeholders for developing
OHCHR regional offices address the regional dimensions
effective national human rights protection systems.
of human rights issues, including specific thematic
issues; engage national actors in countries within the
Country offices vary in size, depending on the phase of
region following an assessment of needs and in
deployment and the nature of the work undertaken.
accordance with OHCHR’s regional strategies; and
With the exception of the office in Cambodia, their
provide support to UN Country Teams in the region.
funding comes from voluntary contributions. They
Where relevant, they also work closely with and support
report annually to the High Commissioner, and their
regional organizations.
reports are generally presented to the Human Rights
Council either independently or as an addendum to
By early 2008, OHCHR will have regional offices in
the High Commissioner’s report.
Addis Ababa (East Africa), Bangkok (Southeast Asia),
Beirut (Middle East), Bishkek (Central Asia), Dakar (West
Africa), Panama (Latin America, with a small liaison
Human rights components
office in Santiago, Chile, where the former South
of UN peace missions
America Regional Office was located), Pretoria (Southern
Africa), and Suva (Pacific), and plans to open additional
Based upon the Security Council’s acknowledgement that
offices covering South-West Asia and North Africa
the realization of human rights is essential for building
during this biennium.
and keeping peace, OHCHR works in close collaboration
with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO),
In addition, OHCHR will increase support to the
the Department of Political Affairs (DPA), and other actors
United Nations subregional centre for human
to ensure that human rights components of UN peace
rights and democracy in Central Africa, established
missions are adequately guided and supported. These
in 2001 pursuant to General Assembly Resolution
human rights components aim to prevent and redress
A/Res/54/55 (1999). The Office is also holding
human rights violations by monitoring the human rights
discussions with the Government of Qatar with
situation, issuing public reports, and assisting in building
the aim of opening the United Nations Human
national capacities to address human rights issues.
Rights Training and Documentation Centre for
South-West Asia and the Arab Region during 2008,
Human rights components are financed and supported
in accordance with General Assembly Resolution
operationally and administratively by the UN department
A/Res/60/153 (2005).
in charge of the mission, but also receive guidance and
support from OHCHR. This may take the form of
Regional offices vary in size, with a minimum of three
substantive advice, funding for technical cooperation
professional officers. Their activities, analyses, conclusions
activities, or the deployment of human rights officers
and recommendations are integrated in the High
with specific expertise. The heads of human rights
Commissioner’s annual report to the Human Rights
components of peace missions are selected by OHCHR,
Council. Details on the individual regional offices can
and they report to both the Special Representative of
be found in the relevant sections of this Strategic
the Secretary-General heading the mission and to the
Management Plan.
High Commissioner.
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
45

PART 2
Human rights components of UN peace missions are
Human rights advisers are staff in the Resident
deployed, or about to be deployed, in Afghanistan,
Coordinator’s office and report to the Resident
Burundi, the Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire,
Coordinator, but also receive guidance and support from
the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia/Eritrea,
OHCHR. Funding for their deployment comes from
Georgia/Abkhazia, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Iraq, Liberia,
multiple sources, including the “Action 2” programme.
Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan and Timor-Leste.
As with all other field presences, human rights advisers
are deployed on long-term assignments and their activi-
ties are defined on the basis of a country strategy.
Human rights advisers
At the end of 2007, human rights advisers were
Human rights advisers are deployed through an agreement
deployed to Ecuador, Guyana, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan,
between the Office of the High Commissioner and the
the Maldives, Nicaragua, the Russian Federation,
Resident Coordinator in order to respond to a specific
Rwanda, Somalia, the Southern Caucasus, Sri Lanka,
need for human rights expertise in the country. Human
and The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
rights advisers have the primary responsibility of ensuring
During the 2008-2009 biennium, human rights advisers
that human rights are integrated into the activities of
will be deployed to the Great Lakes Region of Africa,
the UN agencies present in the country in which they
Guinea, Moldova, Niger, Papua New Guinea, the
are deployed.
Philippines, and Viet Nam.
High Commissioner Louise Arbour and First Vice President and Minister of Foreign Relations Samuel Lewis Navarro,
signing the agreement to set up the new regional office in Panama. © UN/OHCHR
46
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009

OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK – FIELD ACTIVITIES – OHCHR IN AFRICA
OHCHR IN AFRICA
BURKINA-FASO
SENEGAL
MALI
ERITREA
NIGER
SUDAN
DJIBOUTI
CAPE VERDE
CHAD
GAMBIA
BENIN
GUINEA
GUINEA-BISSAU
TOGO
NIGERIA
CENTRAL
ETHIOPIA
AFRICAN
SIERRA LEONE
REPUBLIC
CAMEROON
SOMALIA
LIBERIA
GHANA
UGANDA
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
KENYA
SAO TOME
DEMOCRATIC
RWANDA
AND PRINCIPE
REPUBLIC OF
SEYCHELLES
BURUNDI
THE CONGO
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
GABON
MALAWI
MOZAMBIQUE
ANGOLA
REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
COMOROS
ZAMBIA
MADAGASCAR
NAMIBIA
ZIMBABWE
BOTSWANA
MAURITIUS
SWAZILAND
SOUTH
AFRICA
LESOTHO
Regional human rights context
In addition to the large number of potential national and
regional partners, rapidly changing political and security
Many of the most grave and complex human rights chal-
environments presented a further challenge to OHCHR
lenges facing the world today are found in Africa. Poverty,
in balancing the need to respond quickly to urgent
discrimination and exclusion are reinforced in many
human rights problems while not diverting resources
countries by poor governance, corruption and ethnic div-
from long-standing, but sometimes less visible, issues
isions. Impunity is pervasive, and violence and discrimin-
with equally or more dramatic impact on rights-holders.
ation against women, especially in conflict and post-
conflict settings, persist. While violent conflict continued
into late 2007 in several countries in Africa, notably
Strategy
Somalia, Sudan, and eastern Democratic Republic of the
Congo, several African States continued to evolve from
During the 2008-2009 biennium, OHCHR will engage
post-conflict status towards stability and development.
with national and regional actors to bolster efforts to
build the peace in post-conflict States by promoting the
The extremely varied security and political environments
rule of law and respect for human rights. Critical to
across the continent were reflected in differing levels of
establishing lasting peace will be helping countries to
national capacity and commitment to promote and protect
ensure accountability for past crimes, combating
human rights. Many of the regional and subregional
impunity, confronting discrimination and violence
human rights mechanisms and institutions, such as the
against women and vulnerable groups, and addressing
African Union (AU), the Economic Community of Central
poverty and social and economic rights by promoting a
African States (ECCAS), the Economic Community of West
human rights-based approach in development and
African States (ECOWAS), the Southern African
humanitarian programming.
Development Community (SADC), the New Partnership for
Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and others are in need of
OHCHR’s overall programme in Africa will focus on
institutional support and technical assistance to increase
assisting local, national and regional institutions to
their capacity to promote and protect human rights.
understand and respond to human rights concerns.
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
47

PART 2
The programme seeks to increase the integration of human
in Burundi, the Independent Expert on the situation
rights standards and principles into national legislation
of human rights in DRC, the Independent Expert on
and policies, including through interaction with the
technical cooperation and advisory services in
treaty bodies, ensuring the implementation of voluntary
Liberia, the Independent Expert on the situation of
pledges by new Human Rights Council members, and
human rights in Somalia, and the Special Rapporteur
building on visits and recommendations from special
on the situation of human rights in Sudan.
procedures mandate-holders.
OHCHR’s programme in Africa includes helping to
build the capacity of the African Union, the African
Field presence
Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) and
other relevant subregional organizations to promote
Field deployment during the biennium is projected
and protect human rights. At the national level, OHCHR
as follows:
will continue to strengthen relevant national institutions
and to collaborate with UN Country Teams to promote
TYPE OF OFFICE
LOCATION
a human rights-based approach to development in
Regional Offices
East Africa (Addis Ababa)
their programming. Regional Offices will continue to
Southern Africa (Pretoria)
serve as the entry point in countries where OHCHR has
Central Africa (Yaoundé)
no presence.
West Africa (Dakar)
Country Offices
Angola
During the 2008-2009 biennium, OHCHR will support
Togo
22 field presences in sub-Saharan Africa. These include
Uganda
regional offices or centres in Addis Ababa (East Africa),
Human Rights Components
Burundi
Pretoria (Southern Africa), Yaoundé (Central Africa),
of UN Peace Missions
CAR
and Dakar (West Africa); country offices in Angola, Togo
Chad*
and Uganda; human rights components in 12 UN Peace
Côte d’Ivoire
DRC
Missions in Burundi, the Central African Republic, Chad,
Ethiopia/Eritrea
Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),
Guinea-Bissau
Ethiopia/Eritrea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone,
Liberia
Somalia, Sudan as well as the AU-UN hybrid mission in
Sierra Leone
Darfur; and human rights advisers to the UN Country
Somalia
Sudan
Teams in Rwanda, Niger, and Guinea. In addition, a
regional human rights adviser for the Great Lakes
Human Rights Advisers to
Great Lakes Region*
Region, based in Bujumbura, will be deployed in 2008.
Country Teams
Guinea*
Niger*
Rwanda
The Office will also continue to support the work of the
Independent Expert on the situation of human rights
* To be opened in 2008
© Vincent Winter
48
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009

OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK – FIELD ACTIVITIES – OHCHR IN AFRICA
REGIONAL OFFICES
Priorities
In addition to focusing on impunity, OHCHR in East
Africa will prioritize issues relating to poverty and global
East Africa Regional Office
inequities, armed conflict and violence, democratic
deficits and weak institutions in the countries of the
Established
2002
subregion.
No. of staff
9
Financial requirements
USD 1,939,106
The Office will also be involved in providing technical
assistance and capacity-building activities to key
Human rights context
stakeholders in Ethiopia, such as Parliamentarians, the
The East Africa Regional Office covers countries in
Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and civil
the East and Horn of Africa, and focuses primarily on
society.
Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Kenya and Tanzania since
there is no OHCHR presence in those countries.
The Office will also facilitate the mainstreaming of
human rights into the programmes of the UN Country
In partnership with UN Country Teams in the region,
Teams in the region. OHCHR leads the development and
the Office facilitates information-sharing, capacity-
implementation of the United Nations-African Union
building initiatives and actions to promote, monitor
ten-year capacity-building programme on human rights.
and uphold human rights in the region. The Office
This project is a continuation of OHCHR’s previous
emphasizes mainstreaming human rights in the work
biennial project (2006-2007) of comprehensive support
of regional and subregional intergovernmental
to the African Union.
organizations based in Addis Ababa, such as the African
Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa,
EAST AFRICA REGIONAL OFFICE
and in UN Country Teams and UN offices in the region.
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
The regional dynamics, the worsening human rights
Requirements (USD)
situation in Somalia, and the chronic border deadlock
Personnel and related costs
1,119,268.00
between Ethiopia and Eritrea result in an array of
Official travel
92,250.00
inter-related human rights problems in the region,
Contractual Services
65,600.00
such as arbitrary detention, torture, extrajudicial killings,
General operating expenses
223,655.00
Seminars, grants & contributions
215,250.00
disappearances, trafficking, internal displacement,
and migrant flows.
Subtotal
1,716,023.00
Programme support costs
223,083.00
Achievements
GRAND TOTAL
1,939,106.00
OHCHR participated in drafting and reviewing
Chapter 6 of the African Governance Report published
by the United Nations Economic Commission for
Africa on the state of human rights in Africa. UN
Country Teams further integrated human rights into
Southern Africa Regional Office
their programmes. In early 2006, the Government of
Ethiopia and the UN Country Team signed The UN
Established
1998
Development Assistance Framework II (UNDAF-II),
No. of staff
5
which gives a prominent place to human rights reforms
Financial requirements
USD 1,322,349
and programmes. OHCHR also facilitated national and
regional training sessions on the human rights-based
Human rights context
approach for UN staff from Ethiopia (20 trainees),
The Regional Office for Southern Africa was the first
Rwanda (20 trainees), Kenya (25 trainees) and Tunisia
regional presence established by OHCHR. It was set
(25 trainees) and partners in East Africa and beyond.
up in 1998 in response to demand for human rights
The Office offered advice on strategic planning and
advice, guidance and assistance from the UN Country
technical assistance to the African Union and responded
Teams in Southern Africa at a time when countries
to queries from AU Member States, civil society
in the region were undergoing a transition to
organizations and other partners. OHCHR also held
democracy. Now, almost ten years later, the need
an expert seminar on the new role of the African
for human rights advice, guidance and assistance has
Commission as new African treaty bodies emerge, and
not diminished.
on the creation of a specialized library for human rights,
governance and democracy within the Secretariat of
The Regional Office covers Botswana, Comoros, Lesotho,
the African Union. Many of these activities were jointly
Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia,
implemented with NGOs, international organizations
Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and
and governments.
Zimbabwe.
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
49

PART 2
The Regional Office works in partnership with govern-
UN Country Team, civil society, and relevant government
ments, national institutions, civil society, the UN system,
authorities in Zimbabwe to help protect human rights
and the growing number of subregional organizations,
and strengthen rule-of-law institutions.
such as the Southern African Development Community
(SADC), the SADC Parliamentary Forum, the Southern
SOUTHERN AFRICA REGIONAL OFFICE
African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
(SARPCCO), the Association of Law Reform Agencies of
Eastern and Southern Africa (ALRAESA), and the Central,
Requirements (USD)
Eastern and Southern African Heads of Correctional
Personnel and related costs
876,127.00
Services Association. By working jointly with these
Official travel
87,228.00
and other organizations, the Office contributes to
Contractual Services
2,050.00
strengthening African regional institutions and local
General operating expenses
126,690.00
Seminars, grants & contributions
78,126.00
partners and facilitates the exchange of regional
experience in solving local problems.
Subtotal
1,170,220.00
Programme support costs
152,129.00
Achievements
GRAND TOTAL
1,322,349.00
The Office has worked to raise the profile of human
rights in the region, and has achieved considerable
success in integrating a human rights perspective into
the work of the UN Country Teams. It was instrumental
in creating a Gender and Human Rights cluster as part
West Africa Regional Office
of the Regional Director’s Team. It has also assisted in
establishing national human rights institutions and
Established
2008
worked with other partners to initiate or stimulate
No. of staff
3
consultative processes with the aim of establishing or
Financial requirements
USD 1,712,092
rejuvenating national human rights institutions, notably
in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Madagascar. The Office
Human rights context
sought to ensure that domestic legislation incorporated
West Africa is currently the most volatile subregion of
international human rights instruments through
the continent, with most States immersed in various
consultations with regional mechanisms, such as the
degrees of political, economic and humanitarian
SADC tribunal.
crises. The subregion is host to some 25,000 troops as
a result of the presence of UN peacekeeping and
During the 2006-2007 biennium, the Office engaged
peace-building missions in Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia and
with UN Country Teams and focused on two of the
Sierra Leone. Violations and abuses of human rights are
leading problems in the region, namely the spread
the root causes of the various crises in the subregion.
and treatment of HIV and AIDS and the continuing
Such crises, especially armed conflict, when they
discriminatory attitudes and practices and violence
flare up in one country have repercussions in others
against women. The Office helped plan and launch the
because of cross-border ethnic relations, a high level of
365 Days Campaign against Gender Violence, which
migration in the region and the inter-related economies.
stoked momentum for the adoption of legislation in
Conflicts have also created added pressures due to the
South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mauritius on gender
large flows of refugees and internally displaced persons
discrimination and violence.
(IDPs) they have generated. There are also problems
associated with cross-border involvement in conflicts
Priorities
and the presence of mercenaries from within and
In 2008-2009, the Regional Office will become more
outside the region participating in conflicts. These
involved in UNDP’s governance programmes in Southern
diverse experiences underline the need for a long-term
Africa, which include elements that are core concerns for
strategy aimed at addressing root causes of conflict
OHCHR, such as establishing and strengthening human
while dealing in the short and medium term with its
rights commissions and providing human rights training
consequences. Arms, combatants, child soldiers, as
for government officials, police, prison officers, judges,
well as HIV and AIDS and other epidemics, continue
lawyers and NGOs.
to spread across the region. Communities hosting
refugees and returning migrants are over-burdened
OHCHR will continue to expand its network of partner-
and government social services in many countries are
ships and strengthen awareness of its role as a regional
on the verge of collapse.
resource for human rights information, advice, training
and assistance accessible to a broad range of partners
The mandate of the West Africa Regional Office, expected
and institutions. Given the worsening situation in
to be operational in early 2008, is to help develop
Zimbabwe, which has prompted an exodus, particularly
engagement strategies for countries of the region;
into South Africa, the Office will work with the
cooperate with subregional intergovernmental and
50
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009

OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK – FIELD ACTIVITIES – OHCHR IN AFRICA
non-governmental organizations; and function as resource
WEST AFRICA REGIONAL OFFICE
centre for country offices, human rights advisers and
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
human rights components of peace operations deployed
in the region. In this regard, OHCHR will in particular
Regular Budget
Extrabudgetary
Requirements (USD)
Requirements (USD)
continue to work with the human rights component of
the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA).
Personnel and related costs
1,066,600.00
Consultants
Official travel
16,000.00
39,975.00
The Regional Office will cover Benin, Burkina Faso,
Contractual Services
Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,
General operating expenses
112,000.00
Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal,
Furniture & Equipment
149,200.00
Sierra Leone and Togo. Its work will be complementary
Seminars, grants & contributions
137,800.00
164,000.00
to that of existing OHCHR presences in the region,
Programme Support Costs
26,517.00
namely the country office in Togo and the human rights
GRAND TOTAL
1,481,600.00
230,492.00
components of peace missions in Côte d’Ivoire,
Guinea-Bissau, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
OHCHR will address issues relating to impunity and the
Central Africa Subregional Centre for
rule of law, migration, trafficking in persons, economic,
Human Rights and Democracy
social and cultural rights, and integrating a rights-based
approach into the policies and programmes of the
Established
2001
UN Country Teams and other partners, including
No. of staff
10
regional organizations.
Financial requirements
USD 2,354,258
Priorities
Human rights context
In its initial phase, the Office will focus on increasing
The UN Subregional Centre for Human Rights and
the capacity of the human rights components of peace
Democracy in Central Africa was established in 2001
missions and establishing cooperative relations with
pursuant to General Assembly Resolution 54/55 A
countries where OHCHR has no presence, including
of 1 December 1999, at the request of Member States
Benin, Burkina Faso and Cape Verde. As part of its
of the Economic Community of Central African States
development phase, the Office will identify relevant
to strengthen security, stability and development in
thematic priorities in consultation with Member States,
Central Africa by promoting respect for human rights
national human rights institutions, NGOs and UN
and democracy. The Centre covers Angola, Burundi, the
Country Teams in the region.
Central African Republic, Cameroon, Chad, the Republic
of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
The Office will advocate for the development of strong
Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda and Sao Tome and
national protection mechanisms, including national
Principe. Covering the four countries where OHCHR
human rights institutions and civil society networks,
does not have a presence (the Republic of the Congo,
and will assist States in this endeavour.
Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Sao Tome and Principe)
has proved to be one of the Centre’s greatest challenges.
OHCHR will initiate discussions on key thematic issues,
such as impunity, migration and trafficking in persons,
The Centre’s priorities include strengthening the rule of
and will encourage regional-level focus on issues of com-
law and democracy, increasing awareness on human rights
mon concern by releasing reports and statements.
issues through human rights training and education
programmes, disseminating human rights materials,
The Office will build partnerships to develop activities
building the capacity of governments, parliamentarians,
and programmes to address regional human rights
the police and civil society organizations, supporting the
challenges with other UN agencies, UN Country Teams,
establishment of national human rights institutions, and
national institutions and regional organizations. The
advocating for a human rights-based approach to UN
Office will also serve as a platform for sharing regional
programming in the subregion.
experience and best practices, particularly in the areas
of impunity, poverty and discrimination.
Most countries in Central Africa have ratified the key
human rights treaties and made public pledges to imple-
OHCHR will advocate for treaty ratification, reporting
ment them domestically, although much remains to be
and follow-up. It will also promote greater engagement
done in terms of transforming international obligations
with the special procedures through referral of individual
into domestic law. While human rights and democracy
complaints and support for mandate-holder visits. It will
challenges persist, some countries enjoy a relatively high
help develop appropriate mechanisms for treaty reporting
degree of political freedom and fundamental liberties
and follow-up to recommendations by both special
and governments broadly tolerate activities aimed at
procedures and treaty bodies.
sensitizing the population about their rights. However,
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
51

PART 2
such liberties are restricted in several countries. Internal
The Centre will continue its activities in Cameroon,
and external conflicts have been used as a pretext to
aimed at strengthening the capacity of parliamentarians
restrict human rights. Many minorities face discrimin-
to develop broad participation of the population in demo-
ation in accessing social, economic and cultural rights,
cratic processes. The Centre will also address the issues
particularly in terms of education, health and housing.
of impunity, discrimination, torture and administration
Exploitation of resources is a major issue, especially as
of justice. As part of its efforts to help alleviate poverty,
communities are being displaced. Torture, child traffick-
the Centre will foster cooperation with the UN Country
ing, slavery and sexual exploitation continue to be
Team to address gender-based violence and promote
reported from some parts of the subregion.
women’s rights and the right to education, particularly
for young girls in northern Cameroon.
Most countries of the subregion have established national
human rights institutions based on the Paris Principles,
The Centre will pursue its efforts in Gabon toward
while others have created institutions within government
strengthening the capacity and knowledge of
departments or ministries to improve human rights
Government officials and the growing number of civil
promotion and protection. Some of these institutions have
society organizations to monitor and respond to human
addressed specific human rights cases and trends and have
rights violations. The Centre will deliver human rights
been instrumental in the promotion of human rights, but
training programmes for the police, judiciary, security
generally appear to shy away from dealing with sensitive
forces and prison officials to strengthen their knowledge
or high profile cases. Elections have been taking place
in applying human rights standards, particularly the
periodically in most countries and the democratic space
provisions of the Convention against Torture and other
generally seems to be expanding, but more progress needs
Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or
to take place. Some parts of the subregion have a vibrant
Punishment. The Centre will also develop sensitization
civil society, which has helped open up the political space
programmes, in collaboration with the Ministry of
and encouraged a constructive human rights dialogue.
Communication, to increase awareness about human
Nonetheless, in some countries, journalists and human
rights issues and knowledge of international and
rights defenders have been restricted in their work, and
regional human rights mechanisms.
there have been arrests of leading human rights figures.
The Centre will also conduct an assessment mission
Achievements
to Equatorial Guinea to collect data on the human
Throughout 2007 in particular, the work undertaken in
rights situation and explore ways of addressing the
the field of democracy and human rights, mainly on
more pressing human rights abuses, with particular
the fight against impunity, prevention of torture,
focus on migrants’ rights, gender-based violence,
discrimination, human rights training programmes
women’s education, prevention of torture, and
on gender issues and transitional justice, raised the
detention conditions.
Centre’s profile throughout Central Africa, enabling it to
expand its network of partners. The adoption of the
As a follow-up to the mission conducted in the Republic
High Commissioner’s Strategic Management Plan for
of the Congo in October 2007, the Centre will continue
2006-2007 led to the development of a three-year strategy
to support the establishment of a national human rights
for the Centre (2007-2009) aimed at strengthening collab-
commission in compliance with the Paris Principles,
oration with the UN Country Teams and ECCAS Member
and intensify its efforts to integrate a rights-based
States, and building fruitful partnerships with national
approach in UN Country Team programmes.
human rights institutions, civil society organizations, the
media and the diplomatic community to promote and
protect human rights and democracy in Central Africa.
SUBREGIONAL CENTRE FOR
HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY
Priorities
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
During 2008-2009, the Centre will engage more actively
Regular Budget
Extrabudgetary
in Chad in addition to Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea,
Requirements (USD)
Requirements (USD)
Gabon and the Republic of the Congo. Chad will be
Personnel and related costs
1,244,600.00
61,272.00
included in all regional capacity-building initiatives
Consultants
–
44,280.00
related specifically to conflict prevention, conflict
Official travel
26,000.00
179,170.00
resolution, peace and security.
Contractual Services
–
77,900.00
General Operating Expenses
147,000.00
136,456.00
In the Central African Republic, the Centre will provide
Furniture & Equipment
–
Seminars, grants & contributions
148,000.00
198,850.00
support to the human rights component of the United
Nations Peace-building Office (BONUCA) in information-
Subtotal
1,565,600.00
697,928.00
gathering initiatives and public reporting, and will
Programme support costs
–
90,731.00
facilitate contacts with international organizations
GRAND TOTAL
1,565,600.00
788,658.00
based in Central Africa, mainly in Cameroon.
52
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK – FIELD ACTIVITIES – OHCHR IN AFRICA
© UN Photo/Myriam Asmani
COUNTRY OFFICES
Detention and the Special Rapporteurs on freedom of
expression and on freedom of religion and belief. The
Special Rapporteur on the right to education has been
Angola
invited to visit Angola in 2008. Angola was also due to
submit a Common Core Document, for which it is a pilot
Established
2003
country, and a treaty-specific report to the Committee
No. of staff
17
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in 2007.
Financial requirements
USD 7,225,595
OHCHR’s office in Angola works under the mandate of the
Human rights context
UN Resident Coordinator. The office has initiated discus-
After more than 37 years of war, Angola has enjoyed
sions with the Government on signing OHCHR’s standard
peace since the ceasefire accords were signed in
memorandum of understanding for country offices.
April 2002. The absence of armed conflict for the
first time in the lives of most Angolans is, in itself,
Achievements
the most important indication of progress in human
Besides encouraging and supporting Angola’s interaction
rights. Still, access to justice is limited, the judiciary is
with UN human rights mechanisms, OHCHR has played
weak, and there are serious limits to press freedom
a critical role in establishing a national human rights insti-
and to civil society activities. Even with the country’s
tution (Ombudsman) and the Human Rights Coordination
massive mineral wealth and economic growth, the
Council, an umbrella civil society organization.
most serious human rights challenge is abject poverty,
with 68 per cent of the population living below the
An active partnership with the Ministry of Justice has
poverty line. Access to health, education, land, food and
resulted in the recognition of alternative mechanisms of
adequate housing, water and sanitation need to be
justice such as mediation and conciliation. OHCHR has
improved, particularly for women. Maternal and child
trained mediators and promoted necessary law reforms
mortality rates are among the highest in the world.
and the establishment of legal clinics. Through the
ongoing justice reform process, traditional justice has
Parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled
been incorporated into the justice system.
for 2008 and 2009, respectively.
There is greater awareness about human rights issues
At the same time, and as pledged by Angola for the
both in and outside the capital, Luanda, thanks to a
election to the Human Rights Council, interaction with
training programme on human rights that OHCHR
the UN human rights mechanisms has been growing.
implemented in cooperation with the Office of the
In 2007, Angola invited the Working Group on Arbitrary
Attorney General and the National Police.
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
53

PART 2
Priorities
Togo
OHCHR’s strategy for the 2008-2009 biennium aims
to strengthen the capacity of the Government and civil
Established
2006
society to promote and to protect human rights. Given its
No. of staff
6
limited capacity and the many operational challenges in
Financial requirements
USD 2,190,948
working in the country, the Office has decided to focus on
the provinces of Cabinda, Huambo and Lunda Norte.
Human rights context
The OHCHR Country Office in Togo was established in
OHCHR will continue to work to build the capacity of
November 2006 to help build national capacities to
government institutions, such as the judiciary and the
protect human rights. It assists the Government in
police, and that of the Ombudsman and civil society to
designing policies to implement the 22 commitments
promote and to protect human rights. OHCHR will support
on democracy and human rights undertaken with the
efforts to adopt a national human rights plan of action.
European Union in April 2004 and the recommendations
of the UN mission of inquiry issued in 2005. As it moves
OHCHR Angola will raise awareness among the
into the second year of its operation, the Office will focus
Government and civil society about the need to improve
on the administration of justice and rule of law, human
social policies and legal frameworks and to respect
rights education, and the integration of human rights
economic, social and cultural rights, particularly the
into the activities of the UN Country Team.
rights to housing, food and health.
The political parties and the Government of Togo signed
The political transition from a one-party State to democracy
a Global and Political Agreement, brokered by President
and rule of law is guaranteed by the country’s constitution,
Blaise Compaoré of Burkina-Faso, on 20 August 2006,
but has yet to be put into practice. The elections expected to
and established a follow-up committee. The Agreement
take place in 2008 and in 2009 will be the first since 1992.
proposes the creation of two commissions that will be
OHCHR will advocate for respect for civil and political
responsible for establishing the truth on past post-
rights, particularly in the context of the electoral process.
electoral crimes and human rights violations, and for
promoting reconciliation. The Country Office will
The Office will also support improved access to justice,
provide technical, neutral support for the process.
particularly for women and people living in poor and
remote areas, by encouraging the use of alternative
The UN Special Rapporteur on torture visited Togo in
mechanisms for conflict resolution and ensuring
April 2007 at the invitation of the Government, illustrating
that traditional authorities adhere to international
the Government’s willingness to open itself up to
standards.
independent and objective scrutiny of its human rights
situation. The Special Rapporteur commended the
OHCHR Angola will continue to support the country’s
Government for the progressive implementation of
interaction with UN human rights mechanisms through
the undertakings with the European Union, of the
ratification of core international instruments, reporting to
UN mission’s recommendations, and the Global Political
treaty bodies, cooperation with special procedures of the
Accord. At the same time, he recommended that the
Human Rights Council, and preparing for the Universal
Government take further measures against impunity
Periodic Review (Angola is due for review in early 2010).
by establishing an effective and independent mechanism
to investigate incidents of torture; continue its efforts to
OHCHR will continue to help incorporate a human
improve detention conditions; support the National
rights-based approach in the UNDAF and UN agencies’
Human Rights Commission in its efforts to become an
programming.
effective player in the fight against torture; establish
effective mechanisms to enforce the prohibition of
violence against women; ratify the Optional Protocol to
ANGOLA
the Convention Against Torture; and establish effective
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
national mechanisms to carry out unannounced visits
Requirements (USD)
to all places of detention.
Personnel and related costs
2,323,851.00
Achievements
Consultants
809,750.00
Official travel
328,000.00
Since November 2006, the Office has organized and
Contractual Services
61,500.00
supported training for judges, the media, the military,
General operating expenses
566,005.00
police and civil society. The Office is viewed as an
Seminars, grants & contributions
2,305,225.00
impartial arbiter and is respected for its courage in
Subtotal
6,394,331.00
taking the lead on such sensitive issues as those related to
impunity, which are now openly discussed. The Office has
Programme support costs
831,263.00
built constructive and dynamic relationships with all
GRAND TOTAL
7,225,595.00
national actors. It monitored the human rights situation
54
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK – FIELD ACTIVITIES – OHCHR IN AFRICA
throughout the country before, during and after the parlia-
The Office will continue to work with the UN Country
mentary elections that took place on 14 October 2007. Five
Team, particularly the UN Governance Working Group,
temporary sub-offices opened in Aneho, Atakpame, Kara,
to encourage joint activities on human rights themes,
Mango and Sokode monitored the human rights situation
including activities commemorating the 60th anniversary
and conducted sensitization programmes in each area.
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and
follow-up on concluding observations of the CAT and
Priorities
the CRC. Training sessions on international human rights
The Office will support the establishment and functioning
mechanisms and standards and on rights-based
of justice and accountability mechanisms, in accordance
approaches will be intensified to facilitate coordination
with international human rights standards, to monitor,
with the humanitarian and development components
investigate and redress violations of civil, political,
of the UNDAF. The Office will also continue its ongoing
economic, social and cultural rights.
joint action with UNHCR to protect returnees and will
develop other joint activities with UNICEF on human
Building on experiences from Sierra Leone, Burundi,
trafficking and slavery-like practices. In addition, it will
Liberia and elsewhere, the Office will advise and support
work with the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace
the Government in establishing the two accountability
and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) and UNDP on
mechanisms envisaged under the Global Political
conflict prevention and resolution.
Agreement. The Office will also launch a human rights
education campaign and a national campaign against
OHCHR’s visibility and presence outside the capital, Lomé,
impunity.
is of strategic importance in its next phase to help bring
the human rights message closer to the people and facili-
OHCHR will provide technical assistance and financial
tate closer monitoring of the human rights situation and
support to the National Human Rights Commission and
public reporting. Thus the Office plans to open two field
NGOs. Joint monitoring, reporting and advocacy activities
offices, in Sokode (centre) and Dapaong (north), in 2008.
will be undertaken, including assistance to the Ministry
of Human Rights in implementing the national human
TOGO COUNTRY OFFICE
rights action plan adopted in May 2007 and working
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
with the Ministry of Justice on the Modernization-of-
Justice Programme. Human rights training for NGOs,
Requirements (USD)
the security forces, the judiciary, lawyers, prison officials
Personnel and related costs
1,066,473.00
and the media will help bridge knowledge and capacity
Consultants
87,228.00
gaps in national human rights monitoring, reporting
Official travel
54,161.00
and advocacy.
Contractual Services
71,750.00
General operating expenses
156,210.00
Seminars, grants & contributions
503,070.00
The Office will develop an advocacy strategy and provide
technical advice to the Government to ensure that
Subtotal
1,938,892.00
national legislation complies with international human
Programme support costs
252,056.00
rights standards. This support, especially in the field of
GRAND TOTAL
2,190,948.00
women’s rights and gender-based violence, prevention
against torture and discrimination will result in
legislative and policy changes in compliance with
Togo’s international treaty obligations.
Uganda
OHCHR will advocate for the implementation of
recommendations of the Committee against Torture
Established
2005
(CAT), the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
No. of staff
36
and the report of the Special Rapporteur on torture.
Financial requirements
USD 6,754,697
Support given to the Inter-ministerial Committee on
Reporting will result in the development of a national
Human rights context
framework and plan of action to implement the recom-
OHCHR’s Uganda country office was established in
mendations and to ratify standards related to migration,
July 2005, initially to protect and empower populations
persons with disabilities, and the optional protocols to
in the conflict-affected areas of northern Uganda.
the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel
By September 2007, OHCHR had six field offices
Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,
(Gulu, Pader, Lira, Kitgum, Soroti, Moroto) in addition
the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
to its office in Kampala.
Discrimination Against Women and the Convention
on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Office
OHCHR Uganda responds to three distinct, yet historically
will also continue to provide its support to Special
interlinked, human rights problems in the country: the
Rapporteurs who visit the country.
southern, western and central districts of Uganda,
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
55

PART 2
including the capital Kampala, which have registered
of civilian law-enforcement and judicial institutions;
considerable socio-economic progress and a growing
transitional justice initiatives; and land rights. OHCHR
economy over the last 20 years, but which still lag in the
will provide technical guidance on peace negotiations or
realization of economic and social rights and require the
the implementation of a peace agreement. In the context
incorporation of human rights in development planning;
of return, OHCHR will continue to monitor the land-
the effects of the 21-year internal conflict in the north,
restitution process and advocate for the establishment
where peace talks have made progress but the core
of dispute-resolution mechanisms that comply with
issues of justice, impunity, security and livelihoods must
international human rights principles.
still be addressed; and the widespread human rights
violations that took place during government operations
The Office will also intensify its efforts to strengthen
to disarm people in the northeastern Karamoja
national and local capacity to systematically monitor
subregion, a centre of illegal arms trade and one of
and respond to conflict-related human rights violations
the most impoverished areas in the country.
as well as those in the Karamoja region. In cooperation
with other protection agencies, the Office will continue
Achievements
its human rights training programmes for the army,
OHCHR’s human rights monitoring, investigations and
police, judiciary, lawyers, prison officials and paralegals.
research enabled the Office to raise public awareness of,
OHCHR will also train human rights civil society
and advocate for an end to, human rights violations in
organizations in lobbying and advocacy.
the forgotten subregion of Karamoja.
UGANDA COUNTRY OFFICE
OHCHR’s technical support to the Uganda Human Rights
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
Commission and its Civil-Military Cooperation Centres
resulted in a significantly strengthened national human
Requirements (USD)
rights protection capacity in the conflict-affected
Personnel and related costs
4,618,163.00
north, and allowed for the establishment of district-level
Consultants
18,450.00
human rights protection structures and capacities
Official travel
75,758.00
under the National Policy on Internally Displaced
Contractual Services
44,075.00
General operating expenses
737,590.00
Persons.
Seminars, grants & contributions
483,572.00
During the ongoing peace talks, OHCHR conducted
Subtotal
5,977,608.00
an extensive public survey to amplify the voices of
Programme support costs
777,089.00
victims on justice, accountability and reconciliation.
GRAND TOTAL
6,754,697.00
The Office also provided technical expertise on
these issues.
OHCHR’s cooperation with UNICEF has prompted
the Government to develop a national action plan
against the recruitment and use of children in armed
conflict. OHCHR also developed partnerships with
SUPPORT TO UN PEACE
legal aid organizations and paralegals operating
MISSIONS
in IDP camps in an effort to build a human rights
monitoring and reporting network at the parish level.
Burundi – United Nations Integrated
Training sessions on implementing treaty body
Office in Burundi (BINUB)
recommendations were offered to various stakeholders.
A national Treaty Body Implementation Coordination
In 2007, OHCHR integrated its Burundi office into BINUB.
Committee was established, consisting of representatives
The Office supports the missions of UN human rights
from the Government and civil society. OHCHR obtained
mechanisms, including the Independent Expert on the
a commitment from the Government and initiated
situation of human rights in Burundi and other mandates
preparations for the long-overdue State party report
with whom Burundi interacts, even though the country
under the International Covenant on Economic, Social
still does not completely fulfill its human rights obliga-
and Cultural Rights.
tions. Burundi will be reviewed under the Universal
Periodic Review at its third session in 2008, and is one of
Priorities
the pilot countries of the Peacebuilding Commission.
Assuming that a peace agreement will be concluded
between the Government and the Lord’s Resistance
Burundi is emerging from a long civil war during
Army by the end of 2007, OHCHR Uganda will focus on
which serious human rights violations occurred. The
monitoring human rights in the context of the return
newly elected Government and its institutions are still
of internally displaced people and the progressive return
fragile. The human rights situation is precarious due to
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the lack of capacity of rights-holders and duty-bearers.
peace talks with the rest of the rebel groups and the
There is widespread poverty, and few enjoy the full
situation remains fragile. Continued fighting has resulted
range of economic and social rights. Civil society
in additional internal displacement in the central and
organizations and the media have made considerable
northwest regions. The country is beset with chronic
progress in promoting human rights. However,
human rights problems, especially related to the lack
continued external support is required for maintaining
of capacity of the judiciary and extreme poverty.
the progress achieved.
Serious violations of international human rights and
humanitarian law, especially in conflict zones, are rife;
The Government and the United Nations have
and State institutions are too weak to protect human
embarked on a programme of judicial reform to combat
rights in much of the country. The Central African
long-standing impunity and restore trust between the
Republic ranks 172nd out of 177 countries in the Human
population and the judiciary.
Development Index.
The integrated office in Burundi made significant
The Human Rights Section of BONUCA, supported by
progress in laying the foundations for the establishment
OHCHR, consists of an office in Bangui and three
of an independent national human rights commission
regional offices in Bambari, Bouar and Bossangoa.
and the creation of a truth and reconciliation commission.
It carries out monitoring and capacity-building activities
The Office also provided technical assistance to the
and played an important role during the process of
Government in revising its criminal law and trained
political transition in 2005, especially in supporting the
judicial and penitentiary staff. The Office also helped
participation of women. It has also assisted national
increase awareness about sensitive human rights issues
stakeholders, including the Government and NGOs,
among civil society, the media, and new law enforcement
in implementing various activities such as training,
personnel. However, these foundations are precarious,
monitoring trials, and visiting prisons. However, for
given the country’s volatile security situation.
several reasons, particularly the lack of human and
financial resources, the impact of the Human Rights
The Office provided technical assistance for the
Section on the overall situation has been limited. Still,
establishment of a multi-sectoral committee to prepare
key State authorities have shown a willingness to
the long overdue State party report under various
engage with BONUCA and OHCHR on human rights
UN conventions. As a result, two reports (to CAT and to
protection issues, including investigating specific cases
the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination
of human rights violations.
against Women – CEDAW) were submitted to treaty
body committees. BINUB will continue to work with
At the time of writing, the inter-agency Protection
the Government to implement the recommendations
Cluster had yet to provide a coordinated and effective
made by these committees.
mechanism to respond to protection needs. The Cluster
has developed terms of reference and a distribution
BINUB will also continue to support the establishment
of tasks, and has begun to expand its presence to the
of an independent national human rights commission
interior. OHCHR intends to increase its involvement
through advocacy, the preparation of a legal framework,
in the Protection Cluster.
and the creation of transitional justice mechanisms,
including a truth and reconciliation commission. In
In 2008 and 2009, the Human Rights Section of BONUCA,
cooperation with other partners, the Office will help
with OHCHR’s support, will help strengthen its protection
improve the functioning of the judicial system by
and promotion activities in the CAR by increasing
providing technical assistance in revising criminal law
monitoring and protection interventions, including
and training judicial and penitentiary staff and para-
through regular meetings about human rights cases with
legals. The Office will raise awareness about human rights
local authorities, coordination with the UN presences
in civil society, women’s groups, and the media through
being established throughout the country, and regular
training, technical assistance and partnerships with key
travel in surrounding areas; preparing regular and
institutions and organizations. It will also help integrate
public reports; providing assistance to local civil society
human rights principles into the work of UN agencies by
organizations, particularly those working on monitoring
providing training on the human rights-based approach.
and protection issues; increasing coordination with the
UN Country Team’s Protection Cluster and the Liaison
Office of the UN Mission in the Central African Republic
Central African Republic – United Nations
and Chad (MINURCAT) and raising human rights cases
Peace-building Office (BONUCA)
and issues with the Government; and increasing
engagement with the CAR Government concerning the
Despite the signing of two peace agreements between
establishment of a strong and independent national
the Government and the rebel Union des Forces
human rights commission and the adoption of a national
Démocratiques pour le Rassemblement (UFDR) in
human rights plan of action.
February 2007 and in April 2007, there have been no
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Chad – UN Mission in the Central African
Secretary-General Guillaume Kigbafori Soro on
Republic and Chad (MINURCAT)
4 March 2007 does not explicitly address the question
of human rights. Nevertheless, the parties to the
In September 2007, the Security Council, by its resolution
agreement explicitly affirm the relevance of previous
1778, approved the establishment in Chad and the
agreements and resolutions of the Security Council,
Central African Republic, in concert with the European
some of which establish the framework for UN support
Union, of a multidimensional presence in the CAR and in
in promoting and protecting human rights in the country.
Chad with the aim to help create the security conditions
The UN Peacebuilding Commission will support the
conducive to a voluntary, secure and sustainable return
implementation of the Ouagadougou Agreement.
of refugees and internally displaced persons.
Following the signing of the Agreement, the Head of
State issued an amnesty that led to the release of
MINURCAT was being established at the time of writing.
detainees. The amnesty fails to explicitly exclude war
The Mission will have a human rights component, which
crimes and crimes against humanity, however, and
will have the following mandate:
therefore does not comply with the country’s obligations
under applicable norms of international law, and UNOCI
• contribute to the monitoring and to the promotion
remains deeply concerned about the prevailing culture
and protection of human rights, with particular
of impunity. Relevant authorities have been regularly
attention to sexual and gender-based violence, and
called upon to undertake concrete measures to address
recommend action to the competent authorities,
these concerns, including investigation of grave violations
with a view to fighting impunity;
and prosecution of perpetrators.
• support efforts aimed at strengthening the capacity
The Human Rights Division established a good partnership
of the Governments of Chad and the Central African
with State authorities, particularly the Ministries of
Republic and civil society through training in
Justice and Human Rights, Interior, Defence and
international human rights standards, and efforts
Communication, and with civil society in general.
to put an end to recruitment and use of children
Seminars for civil and military authorities on various
by armed groups;
human rights issues were jointly implemented in both
Government- and rebel-controlled areas. In coordination
• assist the Governments of Chad and,
with the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, and in
notwithstanding the mandate of BONUCA, the
cooperation with national NGOs, more than 70 human
Central African Republic in the promotion of the rule
rights clubs were established in primary and secondary
of law, including through support for an independent
schools to compensate for the lack of human rights
judiciary and a strengthened legal system, in close
education in the national curriculum and while awaiting
coordination with UN agencies.
the development and implementation of a human rights
programme for primary schools, as agreed in the World
Programme for Human Rights Education.
Côte d’Ivoire – United Nations Operation
in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI)
The Human Rights Division also assisted the Ministry
of Justice and Human Rights in launching the National
As UNOCI’s periodic reports on the human rights situation
Human Rights Commission.
in Côte d’Ivoire show, serious violations continue to be
committed in most parts of the country, mainly by
UNOCI’s strategy for the biennium will focus on
elements of the defence and security forces, members
monitoring and helping to investigate human rights
of armed and unarmed militia, and armed criminals
violations, particularly violence against children and
operating in the west and in the zone of confidence.
women, with the aim of ending impunity; supporting
As the country emerges from conflict, the Human Rights
the implementation of the Government’s human rights
Division of ONUCI is expected to help strengthen human
priority action plans and the functioning of the newly
rights by integrating a human rights perspective into
established national human rights commission; raising
the various planning processes of the UN system,
human rights awareness among certain target groups,
including the Common Country Assessment and the
including the defence and security forces, civil servants,
UN Development Assistance Framework. The Human
women and youth; and strengthening the human rights
Rights Division thus intends to continue empowering
capacities of the UN Country Team with the aim of
duty-bearers and rights-holders to respond to human
transferring the responsibility for supporting national
rights concerns and, with the availability of new funds,
systems for the promotion and protection of human
to focus on encouraging the Government to meet its
rights to the UN Country Team.
regional and international obligations.
The Division will continue to support Special Rapporteurs
The political agreement signed in Ouagadougou between
who visit the country, and will strengthen the capacity
President Laurent Gbagbo and the rebel Forces Nouvelles
of the newly established National Human Rights
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Commission. The Human Rights Division will also be
of torture. It also organized training for judicial police
seeking the support of OHCHR to organize workshops
officers, police commanders, the National Intelligence
with government institutions to increase their capacity
Agency and other security agents on the rights of
to meet their international human rights obligations.
persons in custody, and training for parliamentarians
and the UN Country Team on the rights-based approach
to policy making. The Human Rights Office of MONUC
Democratic Republic of the Congo –
also disseminated international and national human
United Nations Mission in the Democratic
rights materials.
Republic of the Congo (MONUC)
MONUC will continue to focus its work on conflict-related
The human rights situation in the DRC continues to
human rights violations and on economic, social and
deteriorate. Serious violations, such as arbitrary executions,
cultural rights. The Office will organize seminars for
rape, torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment
law enforcement officials and members of provincial
are pervasive, committed mostly by the army, police and
assemblies in all provinces. To ensure the sustainability
intelligence services. The latter, highly politicized, are
of human rights protection and promotion mechanisms
often used to commit politically-motivated crimes during
at the national level, the Office will help update and
specific periods and then revert to daily harassment and
implement the National Action Plan for the Protection
intimidation of Congolese citizens. Armed groups operating
and Promotion of Human Rights, elaborated in 2000, and
in the country, both foreign and Congolese, although
will continue to provide training to human rights NGOs
responsible for only six per cent of documented human
and human rights defenders, particularly regarding
rights abuses, have perpetrated massacres, arbitrary
monitoring and reporting on economic, social and
executions, abductions of villagers, and subjected
cultural rights. It will also continue its efforts to address
women to systematic rape, sexual slavery and other
widespread sexual violence by raising awareness among
forms of sexual violence with full impunity. Civil and
the army and police about relevant new legislation,
military jurisdictions continue to be prone to corruption,
providing legal assistance to victims, providing support to
and lack the human and material resources needed to
the judicial structures, including some prison renovation,
function efficiently. Interference by military and political
and setting up legal clinics in most provinces. The Human
authorities in the administration of justice is widespread.
Rights Office of MONUC will continue to work for the
Despite declarations by the authorities, hardly any
implementation of a civic education programme
progress has been made in the fight against impunity.
integrating human rights into at least 40 percent of
Prolonged pre-trial detention periods, dilapidated detention
DRC’s schools by the end of the biennium.
centres, and the lack of food and medical supplies are
common throughout the DRC’s correctional system.
The Office will also monitor conditions in prisons and
detention centres, and advocate for the strict application
Thanks to MONUC’s support, Congolese courts success-
of existing laws and standards on detention. It will
fully conducted at least five high-profile trials for war
continue to train members of the inter-ministerial
crimes or crimes against humanity. In some cases, the
committee on reporting to treaty bodies, advocate for
courts directly applied the Statute of the International
the enactment of appropriate legislation and
Criminal Court. MONUC also created and set up
implementation of related policies within the area of
legal aid clinics that provide free legal assistance to
economic, social and cultural rights, and strengthen
victims. As part of the Office’s efforts to assist in
the capacity of duty-bearers through sensitization
combating sexual and gender-based violence, four legal
campaigns, workshops and panel discussions.
aid clinics were established, two in Equateur Province
and two in Orientale Province. MONUC helped form a
small cell of specialized investigators, deployed by the
Ethiopia/Eritrea – United Nations Mission
Chief Military Prosecutor throughout the country,
in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE)
to conduct investigations into serious violations of
human rights and humanitarian law, and train
The unresolved boundary dispute between Ethiopia and
military judicial officials in investigation techniques
Eritrea has created a tense stalemate between the two
and protection of victims, in partnership with the
countries. On occasion, both Eritrea and Ethiopia have
Institute for International Criminal Investigations.
amassed troops at the border. While UNMEE’s mandate
A special investigation into the events of Buramba,
concerns the temporary security zone (TSZ) between the
North Kivu, was conducted by the first cell of trained
two countries, the situation in the TSZ has also been
investigators.
affected by the general conditions and human rights
situations in both of them.
MONUC organized programmes, round table discussions,
exhibitions and performances to mark international days
Through various sub-offices and a number of human
commemorating the rights of women, the fight against
rights officers, the human rights component of this
racism, children’s rights, refugees, and the prevention
peacekeeping mission monitored the human rights
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PART 2
Ethiopia human rights day parade, 2006.
situation in the TSZ on both sides of the border between
The Section has built constructive working relationships
Eritrea and Ethiopia. The prolonged illegal and arbitrary
with ministries and UN agencies. A peace, human rights
detention of individuals arrested within the zone, and
and civic education programme was jointly designed by
of those civilians who voluntarily cross into it, continues
the Ministry of Education, UN agencies and the Section,
to be a problem. During 2006-2007, in addition to
and launched in schools nationwide. Human rights clubs
monitoring the TSZ, the Human Rights Section of UNMEE
have also been established in schools in every county.
provided human rights training for peacekeepers and
The Human Rights and Protection Section has also
held human rights workshops for law enforcement
supported the State in developing laws and policies,
officials, judicial bodies and civil society organizations
including the enabling legislation for both the Truth
in Ethiopia.
and Reconciliation Commission and the Independent
National Human Rights Commission. The UNMIL Task
The possibility of downgrading the UNMEE mission has
Force on the Rights of Children in Conflict with the Law
led to the elaboration of several contingency plans since
issued a report for study and follow-up action by the
2006. It is anticipated that in the 2008-2009 biennium,
Government. Guidelines on minimum standards for
the Human Rights Section will continue monitoring the
operating welfare institutions in Liberia, including
TSZ. Once the border demarcation is settled, the likely
orphanages, were endorsed by the Ministry of Health
residual human rights issues, such as nationality issues,
and Social Welfare as a result of the Section’s report
unaccompanied minors, property issues, monitoring of
on orphanages.
the treatment and/or repatriation by Ethiopia and by
Eritrea of each other's nationals, and the debriefing of
In 2008 and 2009 the Section will carry out initiatives
returnees and asylum-seekers, will require human rights
aimed at integrating human rights standards into
expertise and a core operating staff.
national legislation and Government programmes.
Information collected through monitoring activities
will direct the development of capacity-building and
Liberia – United Nations Mission
protection strategies. Providing assistance and support
in Liberia (UNMIL)
to national mechanisms should lead to an operational
and functional Independent National Commission on
Despite the election of the country’s first democratic
Human Rights and the formulation and implementation
government in January 2006, Liberia is still recovering
of a national human rights action plan that will include
from 14 years of conflict. Although the security situation
reporting to UN treaty bodies and a strengthened
has stabilized in recent years, a combination of weak State
judiciary. Providing technical assistance to the Truth
institutions, weak law enforcement and a weak judiciary
and Reconciliation Commission in fulfilling its mandate
means that human rights are not promoted and protected.
by September 2008 and in issuing its final report, with
Reversing the climate of impunity and ensuring justice
recommendations, will be a key priority. The Section also
for all are the objectives guiding the Human Rights and
plans to strengthen its engagement with Liberia’s civil
Protection Section of UNMIL.
society by conducting capacity-building activities.
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Sierra Leone – United Nations Integrated
the police and corrections system, as the justice system
Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL)
continues to be characterized by delays in trials,
prolonged pre-trial detentions, poor prison conditions,
For nearly ten years, Sierra Leone was ravaged by a violent
and weak prosecutorial capacity. The implementation
and brutal conflict characterized by massive violations of
of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommen-
human rights. Through the intervention of the United
dations will also be a focus of UNIOSIL’s work, as it is a
Nations Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL),
crucial step towards the consolidation of peace. OHCHR
peace and stability were restored. However, an assess-
will actively explore options for a human rights presence
ment conducted prior to the termination of the mandate
in Sierra Leone following UNIOSIL’s withdrawal.
of UNAMSIL revealed that the situation in the country
was still fragile, that many of the root causes of the conflict
have not been fully addressed, and that a number of
Somalia
human rights challenges continue to prevent the consoli-
dation of peace. To create an enabling environment for
During 2006-2007, OHCHR was involved in the country
economic development, the Security Council established
through a human rights adviser to the United Nations
the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone to
Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) and through the
assist the Government in establishing a national human
deployment of a human rights adviser to the UN Country
rights commission, formulating a national action plan
Team. The advisers monitored and reported on human
for human rights, expediting the implementation of
rights-related developments and advised OHCHR,
the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation
UNPOS and the Resident Coordinator’s Office on human
Commission, and strengthening the rule of law, including
rights approaches in the political process and in
by promoting independence of the judiciary and enhanc-
peace-building, humanitarian and reconstruction efforts.
ing the capacity of the police and the correction system.
OHCHR also provided substantive support to the
A stakeholders’ conference, held in December 2005,
Independent Expert appointed by the Secretary-General
identified capacity building, legal reform, institutional
on the situation of human rights in Somalia.
development and the implementation of the Truth and
Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations as
During the last biennium, OHCHR urged the numerous
prerequisites for the consolidation of peace.
parties in Somalia to meet their human rights obligations
and brought to their attention human rights issues such
A human rights commission was established and is
as improved respect for the human rights of women,
now becoming operational. The capacity of civil society,
freedom of expression and opinion, and improved
government institutions and the UN Country Team has
interactions with human rights defenders and civil society.
been built through training and collaborative activities.
Sustained monitoring, increased advocacy and sensitiza-
During 2008-2009, OHCHR will continue to provide
tion have resulted in improved respect for women and
advice to UNPOS on the political and human rights
children’s rights and the passage of three gender bills
situation in the country in order to facilitate the human
and a child rights bill, as recommended by the Truth
rights action taken by both offices, and to strengthen
and Reconciliation Commission. A country report under
the capacity of the UN Country Team to integrate human
CEDAW has been submitted, thus opening the way for
rights into their programmes. In addition, the human
constructive engagement with the international commu-
rights functions of the advisers will be rationalized under
nity on women’s rights. Some progress has been made in
a single, strengthened human rights unit at UNPOS.
the justice sector through coordination of interventions,
capacity building of key institutions and technical
support. The Section’s nationwide assessment of prison
Sudan – UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS)
conditions and the training provided for prison officers
and AU/UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur
throughout the country have helped build the capacity
(UNAMID)
of prisons to respect detention standards. Considerable
progress has also been made in national reconciliation.
Serious violations of human rights continue in varying
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report
forms in different parts of the Sudan. While the situation
has been widely distributed, and sensitization and
in Darfur is well known to the international community,
consultative meetings with relevant stakeholders have
violations also occur in northern, eastern, and southern
been held to discuss the findings and recommendations.
Sudan and in the Transitional Areas.
As UNIOSIL phases out in 2008, the Section will
The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)
accelerate its efforts to strengthen national capacity,
on 9 January 2005 by the Government and the Sudan
in particular that of the national human rights
People’s Liberation Movement/Army saw the end of an
commission, to assume full responsibility for the
internal conflict that lasted more than two decades. The
promotion and protection of human rights. It will also
CPA includes a permanent ceasefire and accords on wealth
develop the independence and capacity of the judiciary,
and power-sharing, and establishes major transformation
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PART 2
processes, including reforming the political system to
In 2008 and 2009, OHCHR will continue to provide
reflect democratic principles and uphold respect for human
assistance to, and build the capacity of, both the
rights. UNMIS, established in 2005, was mandated to
Government of National Unity and the Government of
support the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace
Southern Sudan to protect and promote human rights
Agreement by monitoring its implementation, investigat-
in all parts of the country. An additional challenge
ing violations, observing the movement of armed groups,
during this period will be ensuring freedom of
and ensuring an adequate human rights presence.
expression, association and assembly and other political
rights leading up to the elections in 2009.
OHCHR supports the work of the human rights
component of UNMIS through technical cooperation
The African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in
projects and by providing guidance and expert advice on
Darfur will begin functioning by the beginning of 2008.
specific human rights questions. UNMIS human rights
OHCHR will provide support to the new human rights
officers are based in the capital, Khartoum; Nyala, El Fasher,
component of UNAMID. The new peace mission will
El Geneina, Zalengi (Darfur); Abyei, Kadugli, Ed-Damazin
operate in parallel with UNMIS with a distinct
(Transitional Areas); Juba, Rumbek, Malakal, and Wau
geographical mandate covering Darfur.
(Southern Sudan). The Human Rights Office monitors the
human rights situation, supports the rule of law and
national institution-building, advocates for judicial and
legal reforms, promotes international human rights
standards and implements technical cooperation projects.
HUMAN RIGHTS ADVISERS
OHCHR and UNMIS assisted the Government of
National Unity and the Government of Southern Sudan
Great Lakes
in establishing national human rights institutions in
accordance with the Paris Principles. Workshops were
The Great Lakes Region Initiative (GLRI) under the
organized to prepare for the new institutions, ensure
“Action 2” programme seeks to support the UN system
their independence, and define their core functions,
in the region (initially focusing on Burundi, Democratic
structure, methodology and legal provisions. Suggested
Republic of Congo and Rwanda) in implementing the
changes were included in the draft laws submitted to
programme at the country level and to foster regional
the National Legislative Assembly and the Southern
cooperation to address common challenges faced in
Sudan Legislative Assembly.
strengthening human rights in the region.
Workshops were also held for members of civil society to
The main objectives of the Great Lakes Region Initiative
promote international human rights standards and
are to strengthen the human rights capacity of the
encourage independent presentation of human rights
UN Country Teams in the region; to facilitate the
reports to treaty bodies, and follow-up on concluding
development of joint programmes aimed at supporting
observations. In addition, Government representatives,
national partners in strengthening national protection
members of Parliament and civil society attended
systems; to foster regional programme activities
Workshops in Khartoum to strengthen their capacity to
which may go beyond the three countries initially
promote and protect human rights, particularly regarding
participating in the GLRI and the collaboration, partner-
the drafting, revision and implementation of national laws
ship and sharing of knowledge and experience among
that conform to international human rights standards.
the UN Country Teams in the region; to promote
human rights in the work of the Executive Secretariat
OHCHR issued public reports, in cooperation with
for the follow-up mechanism of the International
UNMIS, that suggested remedial action to address and
Conference on the Great Lakes Region; and to build
prevent future violations. In some cases, this led to
linkages with relevant work of the UN Country Teams
limited action by the Government.
in the region.
OHCHR supported the work of the Human Rights Council-
In 2008, under “Action 2 GLRI”, OHCHR will deploy a
mandated mechanisms, including the Special Rapporteur
regional human rights adviser in Burundi to support the
on the situation of human rights in the Sudan. OHCHR
three UN Country Teams and the Executive Secretariat
serviced the High-level Mission to assess the human
for the follow-up mechanism of the International
rights situation in Darfur, appointed by the President of
Conference on the Great Lakes Region. The Regional
the Council and the Expert Group on Darfur, to advance
Human Rights Adviser (RHRA) will advise the participating
implementation of previous recommendations designed
UN Country Teams on capacity-building activities and
to improve human rights protection. The Expert Group
act as a resource person in country workshops to ensure
developed an implementation plan with clear steps that
consistency of approaches; consult with participating
should be taken by the Government and established
UN Country Teams and identify common human rights
indicators of progress and a timetable for implementation.
issues and challenges, including those of a cross-border
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nature, which could be addressed through collaboration
rights-based approach in the UNDAF process, which
among Country Teams and national actors; and support
prioritizes poverty alleviation, social services, democratic
the Executive Secretariat of the follow-up mechanism in
governance, and sustainable environment.
the implementation of the Plan of Action of the
International Conference on the Great Lakes Region.
In 2008, a human rights adviser will be deployed in Niger
under the “Action 2” programme to strengthen the capac-
ity of the UN Country Team to support the Government’s
Guinea
efforts to strengthen its human rights promotion and
protection systems. The Adviser will work with the UN
Human rights violations have been reported by different
Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team to develop
civil society entities in recent years. The situation deteri-
capacity building for the Government, and will act as a
orated after the launch of a nationwide strike, led by the
resource to the UN Resident Coordinator and the UN
trade unions, in January 2007 to protest inflation, rising
Country Team on mainstreaming human rights in their
fuel prices, worsening standards of living for ordinary
planning and programming and processes related to
Guineans, corruption, embezzlement, and presidential
humanitarian, recovery and development work.
interference in judicial matters. In clashes between
security forces and protesters, over 100 people were killed
The Adviser will assist the Resident Coordinator and the
and 1,700 were wounded. In February 2007, OHCHR and
UN Country Team in encouraging the Government to
the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA)
ratify international human rights treaties, comply with
deployed a joint mission to Conakry to assess the human
its reporting commitments to international human
rights situation and discuss human rights priorities and
rights treaty bodies, and follow up the recommendations
needs with the UN Country Team and civil society.
made by these bodies. The Adviser will also liaise with
civil society and the media on issues relating to human
In 2008, a senior human rights officer will be stationed
rights, and will build their capacity to protect and
in Conakry and will be responsible for assessing the
promote human rights.
country’s human rights needs and advising the UN
Country Team and the heads of UN agencies on human
rights strategies.
Rwanda
Despite the existence of a legal human rights framework
Niger
and a national social protection policy, the primary
obstacle to implementing Rwanda’s protection policies is
Following a decade of political instability, two coups
lack of capacity at both the central and local levels. With
d’état, a military regime and an armed rebellion, Niger
greater coordination among UN agencies, and a
returned to democracy in 1999. The Government has
strengthened capacity of the UN Country Team to deal
implemented three peace agreements with Tuareg and
with human rights issues, the Country Team will be in a
Toubou rebels, and has declared its commitment to take
better position to support national efforts to promote the
effective legislative, administrative and judicial measures
realization of human rights in the Great Lakes Region.
to ensure that human rights are respected and protected
The country will be considered under the Universal
in the whole territory under its jurisdiction. Niger’s
Periodic Review in 2011.
Constitution provides a strong framework for human
rights. The legislature has passed laws in recent years to
The Human Rights Adviser was deployed to the UN
outlaw slavery, protect people from arbitrary detention
Country Team in October 2007. The first priority is to
and advance representation of women in Parliament.
assess the Country Team’s programmatic and technical
A National Commission on Human Rights and
needs and capacities, then advise and assist it in joint
Fundamental Freedoms has been established.
programming and devising a strategy for mainstreaming
a rights-based approach in government institutions,
Despite these encouraging steps, human rights violations
within the framework of the Millennium Development
are still rampant, and human rights commitments are
Goals (MDGs), the Economic Development and Poverty-
impaired by impunity and poor implementation of many
Reduction Strategy (EDPRS), UNDAF, and decentralization
laws and international obligations. There are frequent
processes, targeting policy-makers, national and local
reports of arrests of opposition members, independent
leaders and civil servants. The activities will focus on two
journalists, civil society leaders and human rights
thematic areas: the integration of human rights and
defenders, and the silencing of critical media outlets.
human rights principles into the EDPRS and UNDAF; and
technical assistance to the Government in complying
Improvements in the human rights situation will depend
with its reporting and follow-up commitments to the
on the concerted efforts of all actors: the Government,
treaty-monitoring bodies by developing clear national
civil society and international technical and financial
rules and procedures and supporting the inter-ministerial
partners. UN agencies are poised to adopt a human
committee of national focal points.
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PART 2
OHCHR IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
BHUTAN
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S
MONGOLIA
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
NEPAL
JAPAN
AFGHANISTAN
CHINA
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC
OF IRAN
PAKISTAN
INDIA
VIET NAM
LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
THAILAND
BANGLADESH
MYANMAR
PHILIPPINES
MARSHALL ISLANDS
CAMBODIA
PALAU
BRUNEI
MALDIVES
FEDERATED STATES
DARUSSALAM
OF MICRONESIA
MALAYSIA
SRI LANKA
INDONESIA
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
NAURU
SINGAPORE
SOLOMON ISLANDS
TUVALU
VANUATU
SAMOA
FIJI
AUSTRALIA
NEW ZEALAND
Regional human rights context
The biennium 2008-2009 will also see several important
processes come to fruition in the region, particularly in
The Asia-Pacific region is confronted with a diverse
Indonesia and Timor-Leste as well as in Cambodia,
range of human rights challenges.
where the trials for crimes committed during the Khmer
Rouge period will begin. In Sri Lanka, OHCHR and a
Long-standing conflicts continue in several parts of the
group of international experts have worked closely with
region. Post-conflict transitions in other States remain
a special presidential commission investigating serious
constrained by insecurity and political uncertainty.
crimes. The establishment of a truth commission and
Several countries are undergoing important processes of
other specialized inquiries will be important develop-
democratic, legal and institutional reform, but democracy
ments in Nepal’s political transition. At the same time,
has been set back in others through the reassertion of
however, there are moves to pass laws granting amnesty
military authority. Many countries continue to enjoy
to the perpetrators of serious human rights violations in
rapid economic development, but this in turn creates
breach of international standards in several countries.
pressures on marginalized and disadvantaged groups. At
In some countries, specific aspects of investigation
the same time poverty, gender inequality and patterns of
and prosecution, such as forensic science and witness
discrimination remain deeply entrenched. High levels of
protection, are either absent or require improvement.
internal and external migration within and outside the
region pose particular protection challenges, as well as
The Asia-Pacific region is also at an important point in
attendant problems such as human trafficking. While
the development of national and regional human rights
many countries have well established legal frameworks
infrastructure and mechanisms. Many countries in the
and the elements of a national human rights protection
region have national human rights institutions, although
system, serious gaps in capacity and political will
many of them lack capacity and several have had their
undermine implementation and enforcement.
independence and integrity compromised in recent
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK – FIELD ACTIVITIES – OHCHR IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
years. At the same time, other countries are considering
OHCHR’s office in Nepal will remain flexible and respon-
establishing such institutions. The Asia-Pacific Forum of
sive, focusing on the immediate protection concerns that
National Human Rights Institutions has played an
arise during the political transition; however, as part of a
important role in fostering regional capacity in this area,
rationalization of operations in the country, the office
and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
will gradually concentrate on the root causes of the con-
human rights commissions have begun to develop their
flict, and on building partnerships and capacity among
own systems for transnational cooperation. Most
national institutions and civil society. The opening of a
importantly, in a region without its own human rights
new South and West Asia Regional Office, together with
arrangement, ASEAN and, to a lesser extent, the Pacific
the new Human Rights Training and Documentation
Islands Forum, have begun to explore the possibility of
Centre in Qatar (see section on North Africa and the
creating subregional frameworks and mechanisms.
Middle East), will provide an important platform for
close engagement with countries in the subregion. In the
South Pacific, OHCHR will close the Solomon Islands
Strategy
liaison office and work through the Regional Office in
Suva and the newly deployed Human Rights Adviser
Taking into account this context, OHCHR will focus its
in Papua New Guinea instead.
work at the regional level on impunity, weak institutions
and discrimination. OHCHR is already engaged with several
The Office will continue to support the work of country
important transitional justice or accountability initiatives
rapporteurs in Cambodia, the Democratic People’s
aimed at combating impunity throughout the region.
Republic of Korea and Myanmar, subject to the review of
mandates by the Human Rights Council. OHCHR will
OHCHR’s focus on combating discrimination will vary
also continue its technical cooperation programme with
from country to country, ranging from gender concerns
China and work in close partnership with the UN
to indigenous people to caste-based discrimination. The
Country Team, particularly as the 2008 Olympics create
rights of non-citizens, both in the context of stateless-
further impetus to reform. The Office will also explore
ness and migration, will also receive priority attention.
closer engagement with the Islamic Republic of Iran as a
OHCHR will look for specific opportunities to strengthen
follow-up to the High Commissioner’s visit there in
and support the work of national institutions and civil
September 2007.
society that addresses discrimination issues and will
promote the participation of groups that have been
The Office will continue to play a leading role in the
marginalized or discriminated against in public policy
development of regional cooperation on human rights.
decision making and their engagement with the
OHCHR will seek to engage subregional organizations
international human rights system.
such as ASEAN, the Pacific Islands Forum and the
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
Strengthening institutions to protect human rights will
(SAARC) in developing cooperation on common issues.
also be a priority focus. This will include support for
The 15th anniversary of the Asia-Pacific Regional
ASEAN and the Pacific Islands Forum in the creation of
Framework will be used to encourage progress towards
subregional human rights mechanisms. It will also
more concrete outcomes at the subregional level. Public
involve close partnership with the Asia Pacific Forum
reporting and statements will help highlight critical
and individual national institutions to ensure their
issues at both national and regional levels.
compliance with the Paris Principles and capacity to
effectively investigate and seek redress for human rights
Through its network of regional offices and field pres-
violations. At the sub-national level, OHCHR will also
ences, OHCHR will also foster deeper partnerships with
reach out to the many specialized commissions focusing
UN Country Teams and national stakeholders, including
on women, children and other specific groups that
in the context of the “One UN” initiatives. A key focus
could help combat discrimination.
will be strengthening collaboration in follow-up and
implementation of treaty body recommendations.
OHCHR has significantly expanded its regional presence
OHCHR will encourage effective and strategic engage-
and country engagement. During this biennium, regional
ment with the UN human rights system as a whole,
offices will be in place for South and West Asia,
including the special procedures and the Universal
Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Country offices will be
Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council. The Office
maintained in Cambodia and Nepal, and OHCHR will
will also work with national institutions and civil society
continue to support the human rights elements of peace
to promote greater ratification of human rights treaties,
missions in Afghanistan and Timor-Leste. Human rights
particularly in the context of the 60th anniversary of
advisers will be maintained in the Maldives, Indonesia
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
and Sri Lanka, and others will be deployed to Papua
New Guinea and the Philippines. Support will also be
provided to UN Country Teams for the “One UN” pilot
programmes in Pakistan and Viet Nam.
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
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PART 2
Field presence
Internal armed conflict affects several countries in
the region, and there are no mechanisms to respond
Field deployment during the biennium is projected as
to its consequences. ASEAN has made formal declarations
follows:
of support for human rights education, but these need
to be translated into national policies, programmes or
projects.
TYPE OF PRESENCE LOCATION
Regional Offices
South-East Asia (Bangkok)
Although national human rights commissions have been
Pacific (Suva)
established in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and
South-West Asia*
Thailand, some of them lack political support from their
Country Offices
Cambodia
respective governments and the strength to effectively
Nepal
monitor human rights violations. Existing civil society
organizations find it difficult to win ASEAN’s recognition
Human Rights Components
Afghanistan
of UN Peace Missions
Timor-Leste
to become part of the decision-making process at the
regional level; in some States, they face censorship and
Human Rights Advisers to
Indonesia
Country Teams
Maldives
restrictions on their freedom of expression.
Papua-New Guinea*
Philippines*
Asia is the only continent to have no regional human
Sri Lanka
rights mechanism. The adoption of the new ASEAN
Support to “One UN” pilots*
Charter in November 2007 will open a new window of
* Under discussion or to be established/deployed during
opportunity for the development of a dedicated ASEAN
the biennium.
mechanism to promote and protect human rights.
A considerable number of international human rights
instruments have yet to be ratified by ASEAN Member
States; and the recommendations made by treaty bodies
and special procedures are often not implemented.
REGIONAL OFFICES
Achievements
The Regional Office in Bangkok worked in partnership
Southeast Asia Regional Office
with its counterparts in the region, including the United
Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and
Established
2002
the Pacific (UNESCAP), UN agencies, the donor community,
No. of staff
6
ASEAN Member States and civil society organizations,
Financial requirements
USD 1,660,383
in several programmes and activities related to the
protection of migrant workers, building the capacity of
Human rights context
NGOs in monitoring and reporting, and analyzing the
The Regional Office in Bangkok covers Brunei
region’s human rights situation.
Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Lao People’s
Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,
During 2006 and 2007, the Regional Office focused on
Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam.
establishing an ASEAN human rights mechanism. The
first draft of the ASEAN Charter, which was approved at
Southeast Asia faces diverse human rights challenges. For
the 40th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on 29 July 2007 in
the next biennium, impunity will remain a serious con-
Manila, the Philippines, includes a provision relating to
cern. Some government and non-governmental institu-
the establishment of an “ASEAN Human Rights Body”.
tions in the region suffer from structural weaknesses in
The Charter was endorsed at the 13th ASEAN Summit in
addressing violations of human rights committed by
November 2007 in Singapore.
State agents. Sexual exploitation of children and human
trafficking are common regional problems. The lack of
The Regional Office and the diplomatic communities of
specific and human rights-based legislation on human
ASEAN countries discussed human rights protection and
trafficking and on the exploitation of women and chil-
promotion activities in the concerned States and in the
dren is a major obstacle to tackling these issues. Although
region as a whole. The Office works with each ASEAN
Southeast Asia is one of the most ethnically diverse
Member State to tailor responses to that country’s
regions in the world, protection mechanisms are not in
particular human rights problem.
place to promote and protect the rights of minorities and
indigenous peoples. The issue of statelessness and the
Priorities
lack of protection for internally displaced persons and
For the 2008-2009 biennium, the Regional Office will
refugees have not been adequately addressed, but an
focus on implementing recommendations of interna-
ASEAN framework on migrant labour is being developed.
tional treaty body mechanisms and special procedures;
66
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK – FIELD ACTIVITIES – OHCHR IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
establishing an ASEAN human rights mechanism;
Some of the most pressing human rights issues in the region
launching capacity-building programmes in the admin-
include widespread poverty, violence against women and
istration of justice, legislative reform and human rights
children, lack of judicial independence and ill treatment in
education in Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic,
detention. These issues are compounded by political and
Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam;
social instability and weak justice systems. There are also
preparing for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in the
significant instances of racial discrimination. Processes of
region; and building the capacity of the UN system to
social reconciliation and peacebuilding in the Solomon
promote and protect human rights in Myanmar.
Islands, civil unrest and emergency rule in Tonga, and a
political crisis in Fiji all affect those nations’ key institutions.
Activities will include preparing tools to be made available
to governments, national human rights institutions and
Australia and New Zealand have advanced economies
civil society organizations to overcome obstacles in imple-
and have ratified almost all international human rights
menting treaty body recommendations in Indonesia,
treaties; nevertheless, both face ongoing challenges related
Laos, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam; providing
to their indigenous populations, migrants and other
support to civil society organizations to increase their
minority groups. The national human rights institutions
contributions to the implementation of treaty body rec-
in these two countries undertake effective work on a
ommendations; developing advocacy tools to encourage
wide range of issues.
follow-up to the recommendations and communications
from special procedures; providing expert advice to
Achievements
increase compliance with international human rights
OHCHR has raised awareness about and encouraged
instruments through the domestic legislation of ASEAN
the use of international human rights norms, standards
Member States; building the capacities of national human
and mechanisms, including the Human Rights Council
rights institutions in the region; providing technical
and its special procedures mandates, and human
support to establish a regional human rights mechanism
rights conventions and treaty bodies. An increased
within the ASEAN Charter; and providing support to the
number of human rights communications from the
UN system in order to achieve a structured, consistent
region have been sent to and processed by special
and human rights-based approach to the promotion and
procedures, attesting to the higher level of awareness
protection of human rights in Myanmar.
about international human rights mechanisms.
Through the use of a cooperative and consultative
SOUTHEAST ASIA
approach, OHCHR supported regional initiatives aimed
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
at reinforcing national protection systems, including
Requirements (USD)
through the Pacific Islands Forum and the Asia-Pacific
Forum of National Human Rights Institutions. These
Personnel and related costs
1,068,210.00
Consultants
46,125.00
included activities to establish new national institutions
Official travel
24,403.00
and reinforcing the existing ones. The Regional Office
Contractual Services
17,835.00
collaborated with the New Zealand Human Rights
General operating expenses
157,032.00
Commission on a study that explored the most suitable
Seminars, grants & contributions
155,759.00
means for creating new and reinforcing existing human
Subtotal
1,469,365.00
rights institutions in countries in the region. The possi-
Programme support costs
191,017.00
bility of establishing a regional human rights body for
the region was also explored.
GRAND TOTAL
1,660,383.00
Awareness-raising activities, dissemination of informa-
tion, and training on human rights led to a better under-
standing of human rights concepts and standards among
Pacific Regional Office
duty-bearers and rights-holders. In collaboration with the
Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, the Regional Office
Established
2005
commissioned an expert to study the added value of
No. of staff
6
integrating international human rights norms and stand-
Financial requirements
USD 1,425,839
ards into national human rights protection mechanisms.
Human rights context
The Office worked to strengthen the capacity of UN
The Pacific region is primarily composed of small island
Country Teams to mainstream human rights in
communities that are extremely isolated, both geograph-
selected strategic programmes. OHCHR ensured that a
ically and politically, and face widespread social and eco-
human rights-based approach was adopted and
nomic problems and ethnic tensions that have, at times,
employed in a regional UN Development Assistance
resulted in instability and civil unrest. In most instances,
Framework (UNDAF). In cooperation with the UNDP
the national capacity to address these problems is low.
Pacific Centre, the Office examined human rights issues
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
67

PART 2
in disaster management with the aim of reducing the
stakeholders in their engagement with international
vulnerability of affected populations and special groups,
human rights mechanisms, including UN treaty bodies,
enabling the transition to normalcy and reducing
special procedures, and the Universal Periodic Review.
protection risks within a rights-based framework.
OHCHR will assume a leadership role in working to
In addition, OHCHR provided advice and support on recon-
ensure that justice and other accountability mechanisms
ciliation processes in Fiji and the Solomon Islands; con-
are established and function in accordance with
tributed to discussions on regional human rights initiatives
international human rights standards. The Office will
within the Pacific Islands Forum; facilitated the establish-
promote the monitoring, investigation and redress of
ment of a juvenile court in the Solomon Islands; launched
human rights violations.
an OHCHR-Pacific website for the purpose of providing
information specific to the region; published a compilation
PACIFIC REGIONAL OFFICE
of recommendations adopted by UN human rights treaty
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
bodies for the Pacific region; initiated steps, including with
UN Country Teams, to address the emerging issue of traf-
Requirements (USD)
ficking and sale of human beings, especially women and
Personnel and related costs
887,884.00
children; and co-organized the 11th Annual Meeting of the
Consultants
10,250.00
Asia-Pacific Forum of National Institutions in Fiji in 2006.
Official travel
57,400.00
Contractual Services
2,050.00
Priorities
General operating expenses
152,418.00
Seminars, grants & contributions
151,803.00
During the next biennium, OHCHR will expand its
cooperation with regional organizations and institutions.
Subtotal
1,261,804.00
The main regional intergovernmental organization is the
Programme support costs
164,035.00
Pacific Islands Forum, which covers the same 16 Member
GRAND TOTAL
1,425,839.00
States as the OHCHR Pacific Regional Office. The Pacific
Islands Forum launched the Pacific Plan in 2005, which
aims to tackle common regional challenges, including
cooperation on human rights issues. There are also
moves within the Forum to establish regional judicial
South and West Asia Regional Office
structures and develop national human rights institu-
tions or other analogous mechanisms. OHCHR and the
Established
2008
United Nations have aligned their planning closely to the
No. of staff
To be determined
nationally owned and endorsed the Pacific Islands
Financial requirements
To be determined
Forum’s regional platform.
Human rights context
In general, the region has a low rate of human rights
The Regional Office will cover countries in the South and
treaty ratification. Though almost all of these countries
West Asia region, including: Afghanistan, Bangladesh,
have ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All
Bhutan, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Maldives,
Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), only
Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
three are Parties to the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and two to
The South and West Asia subregion hosts a diverse
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
set of human rights opportunities and challenges.
(ICCPR). The Regional Office will continue advocating for
Countries like Afghanistan and Nepal are in the midst
the ratification of other treaties and will seek to forge
of post-conflict transitions but face significant problems
strong links among UN Member States, national
of insecurity, exclusion and lack of transitional justice.
institutions, UN Country Teams, civil society and the UN
Democratic institutions and the rule of law are on
human rights system, particularly the special procedures
the brink of reform in Bangladesh and the Maldives.
of the Human Rights Council.
Conflicts persist in several countries, including
Afghanistan, regions of India and Pakistan, and
As part of its country engagement efforts, OHCHR will
Sri Lanka, with resulting human rights violations and
continue advocating in all the countries of the region
displacement.
that duty-bearers provide redress to those rights-holders
whose human rights have been violated. In line with this
Well-established legal systems exist, but implementation
approach, the Office will seek to foster increased compli-
and enforcement of the law is weak, and impunity is
ance with human rights standards and the implementa-
still a problem. The barriers against accessing the justice
tion of laws, regulations, policies and administrative
system are formidable for many people, reflecting the
instructions that meet human rights obligations.
impact of social and religious traditions on women and
The Office will increase its cooperation and foster a
other groups. Poverty is at the root of many human
participatory approach with regional, national and local
rights violations and contributes to specific problems,
68
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such as child exploitation and human trafficking.
COUNTRY OFFICES
Throughout the region, there are thriving and active
civil societies and media actors playing an important
role in human rights and other social issues.
Cambodia
Priorities
Established
1993
The Office will focus its work on the priority themes
No. of staff
8
selected for the region, particularly the need to strengthen
Financial requirements
USD 4,116,527
national institutions and combat discrimination.
South Asian countries have well-established legal
Human rights context
systems and normative frameworks to protect human
Although Cambodia has experienced strong economic
rights, but gaps in capacity, security and commitment
growth in the last decade, serious problems related to
limit implementation. In India, the Maldives, Nepal and
government accountability and the independence of the
Sri Lanka, national institutions play an important role,
judiciary remain. Cambodia is still plagued by misuse
and there are prospects for new institutions to emerge
and abuse of laws, failure to respect or enforce laws, and
in other countries in the subregion. There are also
impunity with no accountability or redress. There is little
many specialized commissions throughout the region
effective restraint on the exercise of executive power.
that focus on the rights of women, children, castes
and minorities.
The space for civil society to protect and promote human
rights and fundamental freedoms is shrinking, with con-
To initiate closer engagement with countries of the
tinuing attacks and harassment directed against human
subregion, the Regional Office will, in its initial phase,
rights defenders and community activists. Restrictions on
focus on establishing bilateral cooperation with
freedom of expression and assembly, along with difficul-
countries in which OHCHR has no presence: Bangladesh,
ties in accessing information held by public authorities,
Bhutan, India and the Isalamic Republic of Iran. As
such as term records, make it difficult for Cambodians to
part of its development phase, the Office will identify
voice their concerns and to participate knowledgeably
relevant thematic priorities in consultation with
and meaningfully in policy and decision making that
Member States, national human rights institutions,
directly affect their lives and livelihoods.
civil society actors and UN Country Teams.
The pursuit of economic growth has led to the violation
The South and West Asia Office will also be ideally
of the human rights of the poor and marginalized popu-
placed to initiate discussions on the possible establish-
lations in rural and urban areas. There is significant con-
ment of a regional human rights mechanism for Asia
cern that the current pattern of economic development
and the Pacific. In this context, it will consult closely with
in Cambodia could result in increased dispossession and
regional actors, particularly SAARC, on possible avenues
victimization of vulnerable sectors of the population.
for cooperation in the field of human rights. SAARC has
already adopted a Social Charter and specialized
During 2008-2009, Cambodia will hold national
conventions on trafficking, and women and children.
elections through which the ruling party will attempt to
Other opportunities may arise in connection with the
gain full control over Parliament. At the time of writing,
development of a new subregional human rights
opposition parties appear fractured and factionalized.
mechanism by ASEAN. The Office will also raise
There are concerns that the violence and unrest that
awareness about issues of common concern by releasing
marred previous elections may reoccur.
thematic reports and statements.
In the last biennium, the Special Representative of the
OHCHR will build partnerships to develop activities
Secretary-General for human rights in Cambodia conducted
and programmes to address regional human rights
three missions, in March 2006 and May and December 2007.
challenges with other UN agencies, UN Country Teams,
The Cambodia Office also hosted a visit by the High
national institutions and regional organizations. It will
Commissioner in May 2006. Cambodia's initial report
encourage sharing experiences and best practices in the
under the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination
area of human rights, particularly regarding impunity,
against Women was considered in January 2006 and its
weak institutions and discrimination.
next report is expected in November 2009. Cambodia will
be considered under the Universal Periodic Review in 2009.
The Office will promote greater engagement with spe-
cial procedures through referral of individual complaints
Achievements
and mandate-holder visits. It will advocate for treaty rati-
During the 2006-2007 biennium, OHCHR worked with the
fication, reporting and follow-up, and will assist Member
Government of Cambodia to develop draft legislation
States, national human rights institutions, civil society
consistent with its international human rights treaty obliga-
and UN Country Teams in their preparations for the
tions, and to secure ratification of outstanding treaties and
Universal Periodic Review.
follow-up to recommendations of relevant treaty bodies.
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PART 2
The Office also worked closely with UNICEF in the area of
relation to the administration of justice, the protection and
juvenile justice, particularly with the aim of reducing
promotion of fundamental freedoms, safeguarding the rights
custodial sentences for persons under the age of 18, in
of indigenous communities, and equitable and transparent
accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the
management of land and other natural resources.
Child. A landmark ruling by the Constitutional Council in
July 2007 reaffirmed that courts should take into account
OHCHR will also provide advice to the Government on
the age of the perpetrator in order to impose lesser
the establishment of a national human rights institution
sentences. This decision restored consistency to the
that complies with the Paris Principles.
application of the law and reinforced the constitutional
protection of the rights of children in Cambodia. The
The Office will continue to work with the Government on
Constitutional Council’s ruling was a response to a civil
the organization and administration of justice and access to
society petition that, in turn, was a product of capacity-
effective remedy, including on individual cases and specific
building work led by the Cambodia Office.
situations that require preventive or remedial action by the
relevant authorities. As part of its rule-of-law programme,
The Office responded to numerous requests for
the Office will follow the work of the Extraordinary Chambers
assistance in relation to disputes about land and natural
in the Courts of Cambodia, established in June 2007 to try
resource concessions. It worked with the Technical
crimes committed during the Khmer Rouge period, with the
Working Group on Land, one of 19 sectoral government-
aim of gathering good practices and models that may help
donor coordination bodies, with civil society actors, and
support the independence and integrity of the Cambodian
with the United Nations on human rights issues related
judiciary and contribute to efforts to combat impunity for
to land and livelihoods.
human rights abuses, past and present.
OHCHR also intervened on individual cases involving
OHCHR will continue to raise national and international
restrictions on freedom of expression or association,
awareness and understanding of the human rights situa-
illegal arrests and other serious breaches of criminal
tion in Cambodia through monitoring, analysis and
process guarantees, and forced evictions. It raised its
reporting on trends, issues and cases.
concerns with national and provincial authorities,
proposing appropriate responses, and encouraging the
As the only member of the UN Country Team with a
authorities to conduct credible investigations into
protection and public reporting mandate, OHCHR will
reported allegations and to ensure effective remedy.
continue to promote joint efforts by the Country Team
and donor agencies, including through technical working
The Office arranged for the translation into Khmer of core
groups, to address common issues of concern, such as
documents on human rights, including the Universal
access to justice, transparency and accountability, and
Declaration of Human Rights and human rights treaties,
human rights-based approaches to development, includ-
and disseminated them across the country. It has also
ing in the management of land and natural resources.
made available a compilation of key domestic laws in
print, CD-ROM format and via the Internet.
Through strengthened partnerships, capacity-building
activities and direct protection interventions on behalf of
Priorities
civil society actors and human rights defenders, OHCHR
A sustainable solution to Cambodia’s complex and
will promote a supportive environment for citizens’
deeply rooted human rights problems will not be found
participation in public and political life, including action
through financial or technical assistance alone, but will
to uphold human rights.
require effective mechanisms of accountability and
political commitment to genuine reform.
With its partners in the UN Country Team and the wider
donor community, the Office will promote greater inte-
OHCHR will seek to improve dialogue and cooperation
gration of human rights into the work of the UN and
with the Government at the policy making and implemen-
other international actors in Cambodia, and greater
tation levels, advocate for Government accountability to its
respect for human rights and the rule of law in the devel-
citizens and respect for national laws and for its obligations
opment, implementation and enforcement of national
under international human rights treaties. This work will
laws and policies. The UNDAF for 2006-2010, to which
include advice and assistance to the Government on the
the Office contributes substantively, is a strong, rights-
implementation of human rights treaties to which it is a
based document that identifies four focus areas: good
party, particularly the Optional Protocol to the Convention
governance and the promotion and protection of human
against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
rights; agriculture and rural poverty; capacity building
Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).
and human resource development for the social sector;
and support for the National Strategic Development Plan
The Office will continue to focus on developing and imple-
(2006-2010). While the Office’s programme contributes
menting laws and policies that comply with international
to all of these objectives, its emphasis is on protection,
human rights obligations and standards, particularly in
assistance and advisory work in the first two areas.
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The Office will continue its efforts to promote and support
Communist League. Their actions have led to increased
increased government and civil society engagement and
human rights abuses that undermine public confidence
cooperation with UN treaty bodies, special procedures and
in the Maoists’ commitment to the peace process.
the Human Rights Council. This will include providing
advice and assistance to the Government to ensure
Much of the population remains politically under-
progress on its reporting obligations under the Convention
represented and excluded from access to justice and other
against Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading
public services as a consequence of poverty and/or through
Treatment or Punishment (CAT), the ICESCR, and the
discrimination by reason of gender, ethnicity, caste or
International Convention on the Elimination of Racial
sexual orientation. The failure of the peace process to address
Discrimination (ICERD), and on its engagement with the
these concerns has resulted in numerous protests and
Human Rights Council. The Office will also encourage civil
strikes, particularly in the Terai region, near the southern
society to participate in treaty reporting and Universal
border with India. While most demonstrations are peace-
Periodic Review processes by submitting shadow reports or
ful, some have resulted in violent confrontations with the
information to relevant Committees. The Office will
police. OHCHR continues to document repeated use of
continue to promote engagement with special procedures
excessive force by the police, increasing tensions and the
mandate-holders by the Government and civil society.
likelihood of violent confrontation. In addition, the public
security vacuum has resulted in a proliferation of criminal
gangs and armed groups in the Terai. These groups are a
CAMBODIA
dangerous and increasingly unpredictable catalyst for
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
extreme violence and criminality.
Regular Budget
Extrabudgetary
Requirements (USD)
Requirements (USD)
The postponement of elections for the Constituent Assembly
Personnel and related costs
2,667,400.00
359,994.00
for a second time, in October 2007, is likely to exacerbate
Official travel
68,000.00
51,414.00
these problems. While elections are a key step towards cre-
Contractual Services
5,900.00
74,620.00
ating a more participatory, inclusive and equal society, there
General Operating Expenses
341,200.00
190,855.00
are significant obstacles to overcome before credible elec-
Furniture & Equipment
100,700.00
–
Seminars, grants & contributions
37,800.00
68,983.00
tions can be held in a climate free from intimidation and
fear. Public security must be improved, including by reform-
Subtotal
3,273,700.00
745,865.00
ing the police, and long-standing impunity must be tackled.
Programme support costs
–
96,962.00
GRAND TOTAL
3,273,700.00
842,827.00
A United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), with which the
Office cooperates closely, was established in January 2007.
Nepal will not be reviewed by the UPR until 2011. However,
Nepal
the country has overdue reports to the Human Rights
Committee and CEDAW and should submit reports to the
Established
2005
CAT and CERD in the first part of 2008. No visits by special
No. of staff
159
procedures mandate-holders have taken place to Nepal in
Financial requirements
USD 18,628,891
2007, and no invitations have been issued yet for 2008.
Human rights context
Achievements
The mass protests of April 2006 ended the armed conflict,
One of the main impacts of OHCHR’s presence in Nepal
raising hopes for greater respect for human rights,
was the reduction of conflict-related human rights viola-
especially after the 21 November 2006 signing of the
tions. OHCHR’s visits to army barracks and other places
Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). However, the
of detention made an impact that was acknowledged by
conflict and the period of autocratic rule left State institu-
the Nepalese Army itself: By the end of 2005, conflict-
tions weak and subject to political pressure. Entrenched
related disappearances by the army had ceased. Periods
impunity for past and present abuses, inherited from
of unacknowledged detention gradually became shorter
periods prior to the conflict, continues to be the central
and conditions of detention improved in cases where
obstacle to reform of government institutions, particularly
OHCHR had intervened.
local governance bodies, law enforcement agencies and
the criminal justice system. Particularly destabilizing to
It is also widely acknowledged that OHCHR’s monitoring of
the peace process has been the failure to reform the
the April 2006 protests deterred violence by State authori-
police, which has led to a public security crisis that is
ties in repressing the demonstrations. A further deterrent
central to the deteriorating human rights situation.
was the announcement by the High Commissioner that
she would pass information on individuals or units from
The security vacuum has been filled, in part, by the
the police or Nepalese Army responsible for human rights
parallel “law enforcement” activities of the Communist
violations to the Department of Peacekeeping Operations
Party of Nepal (Maoist) (CPN [M]), including its Young
to prevent their participation in UN operations.
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PART 2
As the Terai region became a growing priority, OHCHR’s
building of law enforcement agencies, justice institutions,
interventions in relation to protests, detention, abductions
and civil administration will also be strengthened in an
and abuse of human rights defenders were widely
effort to push for implementation of new and existing
recognized as having a considerable stabilizing effect,
legislation. OHCHR will increase its support to civil society
although this was mitigated by the failure of the national
and the Government in developing transitional justice
authorities to take effective action on public security and
mechanisms and will work to strengthen the Nepal
wider political solutions.
Human Rights Commission.
Some of the most important impacts of the Office’s work
OHCHR will assist the Government in meeting its
have been more focus on human rights issues, human
human rights obligations through greater cooperation
rights defenders carrying out their work in greater
with international human rights mechanisms, including
security, victims coming forward to report violations
treaty bodies and special procedures, and through the
and abuse, and public dialogue on human rights issues
ratification of the remaining treaties, specifically the
continuing even in the face of repression.
Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention
against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
OHCHR Nepal also coordinated its work closely with the
Treatment or Punishment, the International Convention
UN Country Team, and particularly with UNICEF, on the
on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination
implementation of Security Council Resolution 1612 on
(ICERD), the International Convention on the Protection
children and armed conflict.
of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of
their Families (ICRMW), the Convention on the Rights of
Priorities
Persons with Disabilities and the Statute of the
OHCHR Nepal’s plans for 2008-2009 will focus increasingly
International Criminal Court.
on building the capacity of national partners and will
continue to give attention to issues critical to the peace
NEPAL
process, while remaining sufficiently flexible to respond to
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
the uncertain and volatile political climate. Impunity
remains the greatest human rights challenge in the coun-
Requirements (USD)
try and OHCHR will continue to advocate that perpetrators
Personnel and related costs
13,425,204.00
of human rights violations from both sides to the conflict
Official travel
647,136.00
be held to account, including through prosecutions.
Contractual Services
168,084.00
General operating expenses
2,189,520.00
Seminars, grants & contributions
55,800.00
As national capacity is strengthened and national institu-
tions take on a greater role in human rights promotion
Subtotal
16,485,744.00
and protection, and assuming no major further deteriora-
Programme support costs
2,143,147.00
tion of the situation, OHCHR will begin in 2008 to progres-
GRAND TOTAL
18,628,891.00
sively reduce its presence in Nepal with a view to creating
a sustainable presence comparable to OHCHR’s other
major operations.
However, the high levels of tension created by discrimin-
ation and marginalization and public insecurity, coupled
with public expectations of a proactive, mobile and highly
HUMAN RIGHTS COMPONENTS
visible OHCHR, mean that field monitoring, protection and
OF UN PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS
prevention activities are likely to remain a priority in, at
least, the first part of the biennium. The Office will intensify
its engagement and advocacy with the Government to
Afghanistan – United Nations Assistance
press for the incorporation of provisions protecting human
Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)
rights into the new Constitution and other relevant legis-
lation. A crucial activity will be analyzing draft legislation
Afghanistan continues to suffer from a pervasive culture
and providing recommendations and supporting civil
of impunity and a weak rule of law. Worsening security
society’s advocacy efforts on these issues. OHCHR will
conditions have substantially diminished the enjoyment
continue to advocate for the elimination of discriminatory
of human rights, including the right to life and safety,
legislation and practices, through legal analysis and
freedom of movement, access to education and health,
monitoring and outreach activities.
and access to livelihoods by communities in insurgency-
affected areas.
The Office will increase its efforts to build the capacity of
organizations representing marginalized groups and will
Illegal and arbitrary detention continues, and in a signifi-
press for the inclusion of those groups in all aspects of
cant proportion of cases, pre-trial detention deadlines are
social and political life. Advocacy with and capacity
breached, suspects are not given defence counsel, and
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK – FIELD ACTIVITIES – OHCHR IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
ill-treatment and torture are used to force confessions.
OHCHR will focus on impunity and transitional justice and
Very few people have access to redress mechanisms,
on the protection of civilians, which is an acute problem
especially women. There are frequent reports of arbitrary
given the deteriorating security situation. OHCHR will
denial of justice in disputes over housing, land and
lead efforts to advocate for greater State adherence to
property rights.
international human rights norms and standards. This
includes mainstreaming human rights into the work of
There are clear signs that freedom of expression is
the Ministry of Interior and calling upon all parties to the
threatened, with continuing reports of arbitrary arrests,
conflict to respect and protect the rights of civilians.
detention and intimidation of journalists. There has been
limited progress towards the implementation of the
OHCHR will continue to provide technical advice and
transitional justice action plan (Action Plan on Peace,
support to the Human Rights Treaty Reporting Project,
Reconciliation and Justice in Afghanistan) adopted by
based in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and supported
the Government in December 2005 and due for
by donors and UNDP, and to implementation of human
completion by end 2008.
rights-related benchmarks of the Afghanistan Compact
and the Afghanistan National Development Strategy.
OHCHR continued to build the capacity of local human
OHCHR will advocate for increased Government commit-
rights actors, including the Afghanistan Independent
ment to implementing the transitional justice action
Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), to promote and
plan as part of its efforts to increase the capacity of the
protect human rights. An illustrated booklet and a poster
national human rights protection system. Working
on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in local
closely with the UNAMA Rule of Law Unit, OHCHR will
languages were published and disseminated in the
also improve upon the Legal System Monitoring Project
provinces.
on reform of the justice sector, focusing particularly on
women’s access to justice.
OHCHR continued to work closely with the AIHRC and
the UN Country Team. OHCHR and other UN partners
OHCHR will continue to create awareness among the
are also supporting the Government in fulfilling its
Afghan people, particularly women, about their rights
treaty reporting obligations.
and how to realize those rights.
UNAMA-supported event, International Day of Peace in Khost, Afghanistan. © UN Photo/Khost Office
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
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PART 2
Joint projects with other UN agencies will include rights-
A cooperative relationship has been established with
based programming with specific focus on economic and
the Timorese armed forces: for the first time, human
social rights; setting up and maintaining women referral
rights training was conducted for its military personnel,
centres, which provide an alternative point of reference
and human rights issues have been discussed with the
for women victims of violence; creating awareness about
senior command.
the rights of persons with disabilities; and integrating
human rights into the Afghanistan National
Following the unrest of April and May 2006, and pur-
Development Strategy process.
suant to a request from the then Timorese Minister of
Foreign Affairs, the Secretary-General mandated the
Afghanistan will be considered under the Universal
High Commissioner for Human Rights to establish
Periodic Review in 2009.
the Independent Special Commission of Inquiry for
Timor-Leste (COI). In keeping with the COI’s request to
strengthen the domestic judicial system for the imple-
Timor-Leste – United Nations Mission in
mentation of its recommendations, OHCHR provided
East Timor (UNMIT)
funding in 2007 for the recruitment of an international
prosecutor to assist the Office of the Prosecutor-General
The Presidential and Parliamentary elections held in
in implementing those recommendations. Despite
2007 were widely considered free and fair despite sporadic
serious resource constraints and political tension, the
violence. The security situation is improving; however,
domestic judicial system has made progress in
the interim law enforcement support provided by UNMIT
implementing the COI’s recommendations. UNMIT and
Police and the security assistance provided by the
OHCHR advised against the adoption of wide-ranging
International Stabilization Force (ISF) remain necessary.
amnesty legislation that would have undermined
criminal accountability and fostered impunity. The
Timor-Leste is slowly recovering from the security and
law was declared unconstitutional by the Timor-Leste
humanitarian crisis caused by the unrest during April
Appeals Court, following a request for review of
and May 2006. However, the absence of durable solu-
constitutionality by the President.
tions for thousands of internally displaced people living
in camps, and the presence of a small but well-armed
OHCHR, through the Human Rights and Transitional
group of ex-military and police operating in the country-
Justice Section of UNMIT, will implement a new two-year
side are sources of instability. Poverty, high unemploy-
technical cooperation programme with the Government
ment, especially among youth, and inadequate access to
with the aim of strengthening national human rights pro-
basic services are priority issues requiring concerted
tection systems. The project will support the integration of
action by both the Government and the international
human rights into the curricula of the police and the
community. State and civil society institutions are still
army, internal accountability systems, progress towards
faced with serious capacity problems.
accountability for serious violations of human rights
committed during the crises of 1999 and 2006 (through
Timor-Leste has submitted its report to the Committee
the continued implementation of the recommendations of
on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and is finalizing its
the COI report), increased access to and public awareness
report under CEDAW.
of existing protection and redress mechanisms, the
introduction of human rights education in primary and
In November 2006, OHCHR, UNDP and the Office of the
pre-secondary schools, and the development of human
Provedor (Ombudsman) signed a three-year technical
rights education training for school teachers.
cooperation project, entitled “Human Rights Capacity
Building of the Provedoria for Human Rights and
In order to strengthen human rights protection mech-
Justice,” to which OHCHR is providing substantive and
anisms, the technical cooperation programme with the
financial assistance. As a result of the work already
Office of the Provedor will continue. OHCHR will continue
undertaken, the Provedoria is receiving and investigating
to strengthen the advocacy and monitoring capacity
complaints and has also engaged in advocacy at the
of NGOs, including the capacity of women’s NGOs to
national level. Following the establishment of a fully
monitor judicial processes related to cases of domestic
representative Advisory Council, the Provedoria was
violence. Capacity building for the Parliament will help
admitted, on 25 September 2007, to full membership of
ensure that new laws comply with international human
the Asia-Pacific Forum of National Human Rights
rights standards and promote transitional justice.
Institutions.
OHCHR will advocate for a strong legal framework to
address the issue of gender-based violence.
The capacity of local NGOs to monitor and promote
human rights has been strengthened, not only through
OHCHR will provide the necessary expertise in transi-
training initiatives, but also with the creation of a
tional justice to ensure progress towards accountability,
human rights database that ensures consistency among
especially for serious violations of human rights
local NGOs in addressing cases.
committed in 1999 and during the crisis of April-May 2006.
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The Office will provide guidance to the UN Country
The Maldives
Team in identifying areas for human rights program-
ming and ensuring that the Common Country
The Republic of Maldives has ratified most of the core
Assessment (CCA) and UNDAF apply a human rights-
human rights conventions, including the ICCPR and ICESCR.
based approach. OHCHR will provide assistance and
The Government has also extended a standing invitation
expertise to ensure greater government and civil society
to all special procedures of the Human Rights Council. The
engagement and cooperation with the UN treaty bodies,
Government has embarked on an extensive programme of
special procedure mechanisms and the Human Rights
political reform, including significant revisions to the
Council, including in preparing reports and shadow
criminal justice system and human rights-related laws.
reports, and following up on recommendations and
Recently improved legislation has affirmed the independ-
concluding observations.
ence of the national Human Rights Commission.
The Human Rights Adviser’s primary focus will be to
strengthen national capacities and institutions for the
protection and promotion of human rights. The Adviser
HUMAN RIGHTS ADVISERS
will advise the Government and national institutions on
drafting legislation that complies with international
human rights norms and standards, and on how to
Indonesia
strengthen the capacity of the judiciary to implement
legal reform in compliance with international human
Indonesia is undergoing a momentous transition:
rights law. The Adviser will also contribute to ongoing
the President has made justice, law, human rights
activities under the UNDP joint project to support the
and democracy central priorities. The country has ratified
national Human Rights Commission.
all the major human rights conventions, with the
exception of the ICRMW, and its national human rights
In addition, the Human Rights Adviser will help build the
institution, Komnas HAM, plays an important role in
capacity of the UN Country Team and its partners to
protecting and promoting human rights.
integrate a human rights-based approach into its pro-
grammes and activities; will support the country’s
Although a peace settlement is being implemented in
emerging human rights NGOs; and will assist the nation-
Aceh, along with post-tsunami reconstruction, other
al Human Rights Commission, civil society and the UN
regional conflicts continue to simmer in the country,
Country Team in treaty body reporting and follow-up
particularly in Papua. Indonesia has also assumed a
and in working with the special procedures.
front-line role in the “war on terror,” with strong
international support for counter-terrorist measures.
Papua New Guinea
Indonesia will be in the first group of Member States to
be considered under the Universal Periodic Review in the
Papua New Guinea is a multi-party democracy with
first part of 2008.
constitutional protection for human rights and has ratified
ICERD, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
On the basis of activities developed since the establish-
and CEDAW. The country does not yet have a national
ment of the post in August 2007, the Human Rights
human rights institution. With more than 800 indigenous
Adviser will conduct a mapping exercise to identify
tribes and languages, it is one of the most heterogeneous
needs for technical cooperation and assistance, set up
countries in the world.
coordination mechanisms within the UN Country Team,
and hold regular discussions with state institutions
In spite of its legal framework of protection, there are reports
and civil society. Priority areas include the prevention
of police abuses, including of children, poor prison conditions
of torture and the protection of human rights in disaster
and lengthy pre-trial detention. Discrimination against girls
response.
and women remains prevalent, and there is a looming HIV
and AIDS crisis with some two percent of the population
The Human Rights Adviser will provide substantive
affected. Insufficient resources, lack of professional training
advice on how to integrate human rights into
for the police force, and the absence of strong political
UN Country Team programming, including through
leadership and national identity have all compounded law-
training on applying human rights-based approaches
and-order problems in the country. The proliferation of
to priority themes. The Adviser will also facilitate
small, homemade arms and the continued migration to
increased collaboration between the Government and
urban areas have augmented security concerns. There are
the special procedures mechanisms and will assist
also challenges for recovery and the implementation of
both the Government and civil society in reporting to
post-conflict arrangements in Bougainville. There is low
the treaty bodies and UPR and in following up on
awareness of human rights, and only those with sufficient
recommendations.
resources are able to access the justice system.
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PART 2
The Human Rights Adviser will support efforts to main-
Sri Lanka
stream human rights and to build the internal capacity of
the UN Country Team to better support the implementa-
A senior Human Rights Adviser has been working with
tion of relevant UNDAF recommendations for strengthen-
the UN Country Team in Sri Lanka since June 2004,
ing of national human rights protection systems. Expert
advising and supporting the UN Resident Coordinator and
advice and training on human rights will be provided to
UN agencies on strategies to protect human rights and
the UN Country Team and support will be offered to the
build the capacity of national institutions and civil society
Government and other national partners in establishing
to support the peace process. In response to the deterio-
and strengthening national protection systems.
rating human rights situation since December 2005,
OHCHR has explored ways to reinforce its presence in
The Adviser will promote greater action by the UN Country
the country, culminating with the High Commissioner’s
Team on human rights and use of a rights-based approach
visit in October 2007. While the Government has not
to programming, with a focus on vulnerable groups,
favoured an expansion of OHCHR’s presence, the creation
including women, children and minority groups, increased
of a new Ministry for Human Rights and Disaster
Government and civil society engagement and coopera-
Management in 2006 presented new opportunities for
tion with international human rights mechanisms, and
OHCHR to intensify its country engagement. Up to two
greater public awareness of human rights through
additional staff members will be deployed on a rotational
advocacy campaigns and human rights education.
basis to assist the senior Human Rights Adviser.
Sri Lanka will be considered under the Universal Periodic
The Philippines
Review (UPR) in 2008.
The Philippines boasts a positive environment for
The primary focus of OHCHR’s country engagement
engagement in human rights issues, with a receptive
with Sri Lanka is to strengthen national capacity to
government, democratic institutions, an effective national
monitor and respond to conflict-related human rights
human rights institution, an active UN Country Team
violations. This will involve building the capacity of
that seeks the integration of human rights, and a vibrant
national protection mechanisms, including the national
civil society. Concerns have been raised by Special
Human Rights Commission and relevant government
Procedures, however, about human rights violations in
Ministries, the security forces, judiciary and civil society.
the context of law enforcement. The Philippines has
OHCHR is also providing technical support to initiatives
championed the development of an ASEAN human
that address impunity for human rights violations and
rights mechanism, and its national human rights com-
ensure effective witness protection, particularly the
mission is at the forefront of regional cooperation efforts.
Commission of Inquiry and the International
In 2007, OHCHR worked with the Philippines to host
Independent Group of Eminent Persons. OHCHR is also
regional meetings on national human rights institutions
working with its UN partners in implementing a joint
and violence against women, and built local capacity for
programme on human rights arising from the 2008-2012
treaty reporting and follow-up.
UNDAF. This includes working with the Government and
other stakeholders on treaty body reporting and follow-
The UN Country Team has expressed interest in a
up and engaging with the special procedures and the
Human Rights Adviser post to mainstream human rights
UPR mechanism.
and support the implementation of relevant UNDAF
recommendations to strengthen the national human
rights protection systems.
The Philippines will be among the first Member States
to be considered under the Universal Periodic Review
in 2008.
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK – FIELD ACTIVITIES – OHCHR IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
OHCHR IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
JORDAN
LEBANON
TUNISIA
SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC
KUWAIT
ISRAEL
IRAQ
MOROCCO
ALGERIA
LYBIAN ARAB
WESTERN
JAMAHIRIYA
EGYPT
SAHARA
(TERRITORY)
SAUDI
ARABIA
OMAN
OCCUPIED
MAURITANIA
PALESTINIAN
UNITED
TERRITORY
ARAB
EMIRATES
YEMEN
QATAR
BAHRAIN
Regional human rights context
While several countries in the region have demonstrated
a greater commitment to human rights, the record in
In recent years, many States in the Middle East and
most countries still needs improvement. One of the many
North Africa (MENA) region have taken steps towards
pressing problems facing North African and the Middle
legal, economic and social reforms, including holding
Eastern countries is the impact of counter-terrorism
multi-party legislative and municipal elections, estab-
measures on human rights. Striking a balance between
lishing national human rights institutions, and improv-
upholding core human rights principles and combating
ing the status of women. The number and diversity of
terrorism is a particularly great challenge to the States of
activities of civil society organizations has increased,
the region. With the political climate in the region dom-
with human rights NGOs focusing their activities on
inated by the violence in Iraq, the Israeli-Palestinian con-
raising awareness, promoting human rights education,
flict, the unrest in Lebanon and their respective conse-
documenting human rights violations and providing
quences, human rights norms and the rights of civilians
legal assistance and research services to right-holders. In
have become harder to protect. Some countries have
addition, new independent media outlets have emerged
remained under emergency laws for decades. Others have
in many countries.
adopted laws within the framework of national reconcili-
ation processes that, in practice, ensure impunity. In some
Many States in the region have ratified the major inter-
countries, human rights organizations have had their
national human rights instruments. A growing number
freedom of association and assembly restricted.
of these countries have been fulfilling their human
rights treaty body reporting obligations and taking steps
to follow up on the implementation of both treaty body
and special procedures recommendations and conclud-
ing observations. However, despite this progress, more
work is required to ensure region-wide ratification of
some of the core human rights treaties, particularly the
two International Covenants and the various optional
protocols.
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PART 2
Strategy
rights and humanitarian law. Support will be provided to
rights-holders to identify and use mechanisms of redress
In 2008 and 2009, OHCHR will focus on combating
for violations of international humanitarian or human
impunity, strengthening democratic institutions and
rights law.
contributing to the protection of human rights in armed
conflicts. The Office will strengthen its country engage-
ment in the region by improving the capacities of the
Field presence
Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) and the
Regional Office for the Middle East, opening a Regional
Field deployment during the biennium is projected as
Office for North Africa, and a UN Human Rights
follows:
Documentation and Training Centre in Qatar.
TYPE OF OFFICE
LOCATION
The Office will increase the number of its advisory and
needs-assessment missions to the region and will inten-
Regional Offices and Centres Middle East (Beirut)
sify dialogue with all relevant actors at regional and
North Africa*
Qatar*
national levels. OHCHR will also bolster its strategic
partnerships with intergovernmental organizations,
Stand Alone Office
OPT
such as the League of Arab States, the Gulf Cooperation
Human Rights Components
Iraq
Council, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the
of UN Peace Missions
Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,
and regional professional associations. In cooperation
* To be opened during the biennium.
with independent media outlets, OHCHR will promote
human rights and raise its own profile throughout
the region. Training tools and information in Arabic
will be developed to support public information and
advocacy activities.
REGIONAL OFFICES
The Office will continue to encourage and assist govern-
ment efforts to ratify international human rights treaties
Middle East Regional Office
and protocols, support the existing national human
rights institutions, and encourage the creation of new
Established
2002
ones in line with the Paris Principles. OHCHR will also
No. of staff
8
support governments, UN Country Teams, civil society
Financial requirements
USD 2,773,355
actors and media outlets in implementing and following
up on concluding observations and recommendations of
The Office, which was opened in February 2002, covers
treaty bodies and special procedures. The Office will
Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi
consult with concerned States and other relevant actors
Arabia, the Syrian Arab Republic, the United Arab
to ensure monitoring of the implementation of national
Emirates and Yemen.
human rights plans of action. The High Commissioner’s
good offices will be sought to bring about policy changes
Human rights context
and place human rights on the national agendas of
OHCHR implements its programmes in a complex region
MENA countries.
with a history of tense social, religious and political rela-
tionships that have regularly flared into open armed con-
In an effort to combat impunity, OHCHR will undertake
flict, including internal and international conflicts and
legal analyses to ensure that national legislation com-
military occupations. Despite the formal constitutional
plies with international standards and will offer advice
and parliamentary structures in place in most countries
and assistance on establishing or strengthening justice
of the region, the principles and structures of the rule of
and accountability mechanisms. Specific training activ-
law, including clear separation of powers, accountability
ities for judges and lawyers will be conducted and ad hoc
and transparency in governance and, above all, an
amicus curiae briefs will be filed with the aim of
independent judiciary, remain weak in practice.
increasing the implementation of international human
rights standards through court judgments.
Armed conflict, the lack of democratic participation, and
patchy social and economic policies have had a direct and
Protecting human rights in situations of armed conflict
deleterious impact on the status of individual and collec-
will remain at the core of OHCHR’s regional focus. Timely
tive human rights, and their enjoyment in the region
technical assistance will be provided to governments to
remains tenuous at best. While civil society advocacy
conduct national investigations, assist in the creation of
organizations are strong in the Occupied Palestinian
truth and reconciliation commissions, and award indi-
Territory, Lebanon, and Jordan, and are growing in Iraq,
vidual and collective reparations for violations of human
Syria and several countries in the Gulf, they often come
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK – FIELD ACTIVITIES – OHCHR IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
under threat of arrest and harassment in violation of their
organizations, particularly human rights defenders, to
rights to free expression, association and assembly. They
operate freely, and trade and labour union rights. Economic
are also in need of support and strengthened capacity to
and social rights will also be highlighted, particularly in the
fully and effectively achieve their objectives. The struggle
context of the Millennium Development Goals. The rights
for women’s rights, particularly equality in citizenship and
of women will continue to be a priority issue.
access to resources, continues, and women’s organizations
have been effective in raising their concerns in public dis-
The Office will also focus on groups that are in particularly
cussions. Of particular concern are the human rights of
vulnerable situations, including refugees and stateless
groups that have become acutely vulnerable because of a
persons. The majority of refugees in the Middle East have
lack of protection, including nearly five million Palestinian,
no legal protection other than the good offices of UNHCR.
Iraqi and other refugees in the Middle East, and hundreds
Yemen is the only country in the Middle East to have
of thousands of stateless persons and migrant workers.
ratified the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of
Refugees, and the United Nations Relief and Works
Achievements
Agency (UNRWA) has no mandate for the legal protection
The Office collaborated closely with the Economic
of Palestinian refugees. The human rights of stateless per-
and Social Commission for West Asia (ESCWA) in its
sons, whose legal status is little understood or discussed
regional work, in particular with the ESCWA Centre
within the region, will also be a focus of OHCHR’s
for Women by contributing to the project on women in
programme. The Office will continue its activities to
situations of armed conflict. Contact with ESCWA’s
protect women migrant domestic workers in the region.
Emerging Conflicts and Related Issues Unit resulted in a
joint programme that will continue during 2008-2009,
In implementing all of these activities, the Office will
and OHCHR’s support led to the adoption of a human
maximize resources by working closely with UN agen-
rights-based approach in ESCWA’s preparation of the
cies and government and non-governmental partners.
Arab Millennium Development Goals Report for 2007,
Many UN agencies have significant resources that can be
focusing on youth.
tapped for joint programming with OHCHR. Projects
undertaken with UNDP, the ILO, UNRWA and other agen-
Given the developments in Lebanon in 2006 and 2007
cies in the previous biennium offer excellent examples to
and due to resource constraints, the activities of the
be followed, and provide opportunities to mainstream
Regional Office were mainly focused on Lebanon.
human rights in the work of these agencies and that of
Significant achievements were realized in bringing a
the UN Country Teams in both Lebanon and Syria.
human rights focus to the work of UN agencies in
Lebanon. OHCHR worked closely with UNHCR and
MIDDLE EAST REGIONAL OFFICE
UNRWA during and after the war of July 2006 and the
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
May-August 2007 armed conflict between the Lebanese
Army and a cross-national militant group, which resulted
Requirements (USD)
in the near total destruction of Nahr el-Bared Palestinian
Personnel and related costs
1,796,349.00
refugee camp. The Office continuously highlighted the
Consultants
29,190.00
importance of protecting civilians, co-chaired the
Official travel
163,385.00
Protection Working Group with UNHCR, and created a
Contractual Services
4,920.00
General operating expenses
305,143.00
Protection Working Group for the north of the country in
Seminars, grants & contributions
160,310.00
the context of the latter conflict. In the aftermath of the
July 2006 war in Lebanon, the Office was also involved in
Subtotal
2,454,297.00
the visits of five Special Rapporteurs and Representatives,
Programme support costs
319,059.00
and provided support to the Commission of Inquiry on
GRAND TOTAL
2,773,355.00
Lebanon established by Human Rights Council Resolution
S-2/1 and its subsequent report and recommendations.
Following the creation of the position of Special Coordinator
for Lebanon in November 2006, OHCHR provides human
North Africa Regional Office
rights advisory services for the Special Coordinator’s Office.
Established
2008
Priorities
No. of staff
To be determined
The Office has identified a number of thematic issues that
Financial requirements
To be determined
require attention at national and regional levels. In 2008-
2009, OHCHR will focus on freedom of expression, associa-
Human rights context
tion and assembly, given that these are both threatened
The North Africa region continues to face challenges in the
and essential to democratic participation. Target issues
areas of rule of law, good governance and, in some cases,
will include press freedom, the requirements of political
effective transitional justice initiatives and prolonged
participation and public debate, the freedom of civil society
states of emergency. Gender protection and the rights of
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
79

PART 2
persons in vulnerable groups, for example, children and
identifying relevant thematic priorities in consultation
migrants, remain key areas to be strengthened. Other
with Member States, national human rights institutions,
issues of concern include freedom of expression and
NGOs and UN Country Teams in the region.
information, protection of human rights defenders,
freedom of association, judicial independence, the impact
The Office will seek to strengthen the capacities of
of counter-terrorism legislation, and law enforcement.
governments and civil society actors in the region,
including in thematic issues such as judicial independ-
The mandate of the Regional Office for North Africa, like
ence, impunity, the impact of counter-terrorism
that of other regional offices, is to help develop engage-
legislation, and law enforcement. OHCHR will also
ment strategies for countries requiring more focused
work on issues relating to gender protection and human
attention; provide coverage for other countries, as
rights defenders in cooperation with local and regional
requested by Headquarters; engage with regional and
institutions and organizations, with the aim of
subregional intergovernmental and non-governmental
increasing participation in decision-making processes.
organizations; and function as resource centre for
These objectives will be met through regular analysis
country offices, human rights components of peace
and reporting, sharing OHCHR materials, media
operations and human rights officers deployed in the
engagement, development of training modules, and
region by providing relevant thematic expertise for
providing training.
capacity-building, fact-finding, advocacy and other
activities. To that end, regional offices are intended to
The Regional Office will also serve as a forum for
help bridge gaps in implementation at the national level.
sharing regional experiences and good practices in the
area of human rights, particularly concerning the
The geographic scope of the regional office will encom-
priority themes of impunity, weak institutions and
pass the following countries: Algeria, Egypt, the Libyan
discrimination. It will cooperate in and possibly carry
Arab Jamahiriya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia. The
out joint programming with partners such as UN
Regional Office for North Africa will be the first OHCHR
agencies, the UN Country Teams, regional organizations
presence in the region.
including the African Union and the League of Arab
States, and national human rights institutions. The
Priorities
Office will serve as a link between Member States
In its initial phase, OHCHR’s Regional Office will focus on
and these entities by promoting greater interaction
establishing bilateral cooperation frameworks with
with the special procedures by referring individual
countries in the region where OHCHR has no presence and
complaints and supporting visits by special procedure
© Vincent Winter
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK – FIELD ACTIVITIES – OHCHR IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
mandate-holders. The Office will also advocate for
human rights treaties, the withdrawal of reservations,
treaty ratification, reporting and follow-up. It will assist
and the implementation of and follow-up on reporting
Member States, national human rights institutions,
obligations and concluding observations.
civil society and UN Country Teams in developing
appropriate mechanisms for treaty reporting and
A library and an Arabic website will be created. As part
follow-up to recommendations by both special procedures
of OHCHR’s media strategy for the region, and benefiting
and treaty bodies.
from the proximity of Al-Jazeera’s headquarters, human
rights information will be disseminated through regional
media. Complementing the activities already conducted
Training and Documentation
by OHCHR to strengthen human rights groups, the
Centre for South-West Asia and
Centre will encourage civil society organizations and
the Arab Region
academics to publish high-quality reports on specific
human rights issues and will assist in translating and
Established
2008
disseminating them.
No. of staff
3
Financial requirements
USD 1,005,842
TRAINING AND DOCUMENTATION CENTRE FOR
SOUTH-WEST ASIA AND THE ARAB REGION
The General Assembly adopted Resolution A/Res/60/153 in
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
2005 asking “the Secretary-General and the Office of the
High Commissioner to give their support to the establish-
Requirements (USD)
ment of a United Nations human rights training and
Personnel and related costs
547,078.00
documentation centre for South-West Asia and the Arab
Official travel
185,812.00
region, to conclude an agreement with the host country
General operating expenses
154,775.00
regarding its establishment and to make available
Seminars, grants & contributions
2,460.00
resources for the establishment of the centre.” The
Subtotal
890,125.00
resolution defined the Centre’s mandate as: “to undertake
Programme support costs
115,716.00
training and documentation activities according to
GRAND TOTAL
international human rights standards and to support
1,005,842.00
such efforts within the region by Governments, United
Nations agencies and programmes, national human rights
institutions and non-governmental organizations.”
Discussions on establishing the Centre are ongoing
with the Government of Qatar with a view to opening
it in 2008.
STAND-ALONE OFFICE
Priorities
With the objective of strengthening a human rights
Occupied Palestinian Territory
culture and building human rights expertise, the
Regional Centre will rely on up-to-date tools and
Established
Gaza: 1996
methodologies to promote human rights through active
Ramallah: 2000
learning, provision of advisory services on curricula
No. of staff
15
design and dissemination of information. Activities
Financial requirements
USD 3,721,977
will target line-ministry officials, national human
rights institutions, secretariats of intergovernmental
Human rights context
organizations, law enforcement agencies, the judiciary,
The internal power struggle between the rival Fatah
students, professional groups, and NGOs identified by
and Hamas movements has added a new dimension
the regional and other field offices.
to the suffering of the Palestinian people. In addition
to the threats to human rights resulting from the Israeli
The Centre will focus on increasing the capacity of the
forces’ military control of the territory, Palestinians
judiciary, law enforcement officials, members of parlia-
are now exposed to new abuses resulting from the
ments and their staff, and other actors to apply human
power struggle between the two rival factions.
rights standards in their work. It will develop and pro-
These worrying trends are surfacing in an environment
vide information and documentation systems on human
dominated by violence and impunity in the West Bank
rights and disseminate information through various
and the Gaza Strip.
media outlets. Training and documentation projects will
be carried out to raise awareness about human rights
In the West Bank, an emergency Palestinian Authority
and foster research with civil society actors, universities,
Government (PA) enjoys international recognition
research and training centres and media organizations.
and pledges of support, while in the Gaza Strip the
The Centre will advocate for the ratification of core
international community and the United Nations do not
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
81

PART 2
recognize the legitimacy of Hamas’ June 2007
The Office will continue to provide support to police
military takeover. During that month, the emergency
academies and the judiciary, focusing on transparent
government instructed Gaza-based institutions for
and effective mechanisms for accountability. The Office
administration of justice and law enforcement
will also organize training for the Palestinian Legislative
not to resume functioning. Law and order functions
Council’s specialized committees and staff on integrating
are carried out by the Hamas-affiliated Executive
human rights standards into draft legislation. OHCHR
Forces, or Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, outside
will continue to work with the Minister of Education and
the framework of the law and in the absence of
Higher Education to support the Ministry’s implementa-
judicial oversight.
tion of the World Programme for Human Rights
Education.
In this situation, domestic human rights mechanisms
may be pressured to curtail their reporting, thereby
A more strategic approach to communications will be
increasing the need for OHCHR to monitor and
employed by working with the media, maximizing the
report directly on the human rights situation. Given
potential interest in OHCHR’s work on both accountability
the nature of the current political situation, OHCHR
and empowerment, and developing a webpage to
must address human rights issues with three sets of
provide information updates on treaty bodies and special
duty-bearers, namely the PA, Hamas and the
procedures. Wherever possible, reports will be made
Government of Israel.
available in Arabic and Hebrew.
Achievements
OHCHR will continue to work with the UN Country
Activities to strengthen partnerships with civil society
Team, particularly the Human Rights Working Group, to
and build their capacities have included intensive
encourage joint activities on human rights themes and
training sessions for participants from all parts of
actions. Familiarization sessions on international human
the Gaza Strip and West Bank, where freedom of move-
rights mechanisms and standards and on the human
ment is severely curtailed. Training was designed to
rights-based approach will continue, and human rights
increase Palestinian civil society actors’ use of special
will be further integrated through joint planning activi-
procedures and to enhance their understanding of
ties, such as the CAP, for which OHCHR takes the lead in
treaty bodies and use of concluding observations.
the protection sector.
New elements included workshops on human rights
with NGOs working on poverty and unemployment
Building on past experience, the Office will create
issues, women’s rights and gender mainstreaming, the
partnerships with the national human rights institution
rights of persons with disabilities, and mainstreaming
and civil society actors to strengthen interaction with
their participation into ongoing training activities.
international accountability mechanisms. It will also
For the first time, training-of-trainers’ sessions were
assist groups that are marginalized or are discriminated
successfully undertaken in the West Bank and
against, particularly women, persons with disabilities
Gaza Strip, with support from the Women’s Rights and
and Palestinians living in remote and/or impoverished
Gender Unit.
areas, in gaining access to appropriate international
human rights mechanisms and realizing their rights.
OHCHR helped strengthen the UN Country Team’s
capacity to use a rights-based approach to
The Office will also assist in direct interaction with
programming and held regular meetings of the
special procedures and relevant treaty bodies and will
UN Human Rights Working Group (UNHRWG). In 2006,
advise on implementation of Human Rights Council
significant efforts were made to create a Protection
resolutions relating to the region.
Sector, led by OHCHR, and aimed at placing human
rights in the foreground of work by UN agencies and
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
contributors to the inter-agency Consolidated
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
Appeal Process (CAP). The Office also hosted inter-active
briefings for experts visiting the region with the
Requirements (USD)
UNHRWG.
Personnel and related costs
2,320,629.00
Consultants
420,025.00
Priorities
Official travel
67,076.00
OHCHR aims to strengthen its work on accountability
Contractual Services
95,325.00
General operating expenses
299,095.00
through authoritative, law-based public reports on
Seminars, grants & contributions
91,635.00
priority themes, accompanied by direct interventions
with duty-bearers, advocacy and media work. The
Subtotal
3,293,785.00
Office will work with the UN Country Team to integrate
Programme support costs
428,192.00
human rights law into joint statements and work
GRAND TOTAL
3,721,977.00
with NGOs to develop complementary strategies for
accountability.
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK – FIELD ACTIVITIES – OHCHR IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
HUMAN RIGHTS COMPONENTS
are intended to assist the Government of Iraq in
OF PEACE MISSIONS
ensuring protection of basic human rights and respect
for the rule of law.
Iraq
OHCHR supports the work of the UNAMI by assisting in
the implementation of activities and providing guidance
The Human Rights Office within the UN Assistance
and expert advice on specific human rights questions.
Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) was established in 2004 with
Monitoring is carried out from UNAMI’s human rights
the mandate to ensure the promotion and protection of
offices in Baghdad, Erbil and Amman. The UNAMI
human rights as foreseen in Security Council Resolution
Human Rights Office promotes the protection of human
1546 of June 2004. Freedom of movement of UN staff
rights, assists in the development of a strategy for
continues to be severely restricted because of security
transitional justice, and advocates for judicial and legal
conditions in all regions, except governorates under the
reform. Projects to support the establishment of a
authority of the Kurdistan Regional Government. As of
national human rights institution, a national centre for
this writing, despite the difficult security situation, the
missing and disappeared persons and a centre for the
Office had monitored and reported on the human rights
rehabilitation of victims of torture will be implemented
situation and had implemented capacity-building activ-
during 2008-2009.
ities focusing on the rehabilitation and reconstruction
of state and civil society institutions.
OHCHR and UNAMI will continue to assist the Iraqi
Government in establishing a national human rights
Until October 2007, the Human Rights Office had issued
commission in compliance with the Paris Principles, as
nine bi-monthly reports on the human rights situation
provided for in the new Constitution. Cooperation with
in Iraq and two quarterly reports. These reports, which
international human rights mechanisms, especially the
detail serious and widespread human rights violations,
special procedures mandate-holders, will continue.
© UNHCR/K.Brooks
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
83

PART 2
OHCHR IN EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA AND CENTRAL ASIA
SWEDEN
FINLAND
NORWAY
ICELAND
ESTONIA
DENMARK
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
GERMANY
LATVIA
LITHUANIA
NETHERLANDS
UNITED KINGDOM
POLAND
IRELAND
BELARUS
CANADA
CZECH REPUBLIC
UKRAINE
BELGIUM
SLOVAKIA
LUXEMBOURG
HUNGARY
AUSTRIA
KAZAKHSTAN
MOLDOVA
LIECHTENSTEIN
SLOVENIA
SWITZERLAND
ROMANIA
FRANCE
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
UNITED STATES
MONACO
BULGARIA
SERBIA
KYRGYZSTAN
OF AMERICA
ANDORRA
SAN MARINO
UZBEKISTAN
SPAIN
TAJIKISTAN
HOLY SEE
THE FORMER
PORTUGAL
TURKMENISTAN
CROATIA
YUGOSLAV
AZERBAIJAN
ITALY
REPUBLIC OF
GEORGIA
MALTA
MONTENEGRO
MACEDONIA
ARMENIA
ALBANIA
TURKEY
GREECE
CYPRUS
Regional human rights context
against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading
Treatment or Punishment, and provides training for the
Europe, North America and Central Asia comprise
legal professions and assistance to national human rights
56 countries with different human rights challenges and
institutions. In implementing these activities, the Office
priorities. OHCHR focuses on the issue of impunity for
cooperates closely with the UN Country Teams, where
violations of a broad range of human rights and works
these exist, and with the UN human rights mechanisms.
with countries to address instances of torture, violence
against women and violations of a number of social and
Given OHCHR’s limited resources, interaction with exist-
economic rights, including housing rights.
ing regional human rights machinery is essential. The
Office works with the regional mechanisms of the
It has long been recognized that a sound system of
Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and
national institutions is a prerequisite for the effective
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to ensure the protection of
protection of human rights. Every country has its own
human rights and to maximize effectiveness. The Office
challenges to face in ensuring its democratic development.
looks forward to seeing how best to cooperate with the
In countries that only recently gained independence, the
European Union institutions in general, and the newly
institutions established to support democracy struggle at
established Fundamental Rights Agency of the European
times. OHCHR seeks to support countries in their efforts
Union in particular, to strengthen the protection of
to strengthen fundamental democratic institutions that
human rights in Europe.
protect human rights, particularly independent and
impartial judiciaries and legislatures. OHCHR also assists
countries in countering the growing problem of discrimi-
Strategy
natory and intolerant treatment based on sex, race, ethnic
or religious affiliation, disregard for human rights in the
OHCHR is present in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, the
fight against terrorism, abuse against human rights
Russian Federation and Kosovo. Its field deployment in
defenders and restrictions on freedom of association.
the region underwent a number of changes in the last
biennium. Some of these changes were the result of
The Office promotes ratification of important legal instru-
strategic decisions aimed at re-directing scarce resources
ments, such as the Optional Protocol of the Convention
to those areas most in need. For example, in 2006-2007
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK – FIELD ACTIVITIES – OHCHR IN EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA AND CENTRAL ASIA
OHCHR completed its technical cooperation project in
Rapporteurs on contemporary forms of racism and on
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and closed
the promotion and protection of human rights with the
its country offices in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia,
European Union and its associated countries in efforts to
except for Kosovo. Other changes were prompted by
counter terrorism will be closely followed.
external factors, such as the closing of the UN Tajikistan
Office for Peacebuilding (UNTOP). Work in relation to
In the South Caucasus, OHCHR will assist in the imple-
Serbia, Montenegro, The former Yugoslav Republic of
mentation of the recommendations that emerge from
Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be contin-
the visits of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of
ued largely from OHCHR’s Headquarters in Geneva, with
expression, the Special Rapporteur on torture, and the
support given to national human rights advisers deployed
Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the
in some of the UN Country Teams in the region. Work in
human rights of internally displaced persons. In Central
Tajikistan will be carried out by the Regional Office for
Asia, the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on
Central Asia, in collaboration with UNDP and OSCE. In
the independence of judges and lawyers will continue to
Kosovo, OHCHR will continue its efforts to ensure that
be used to promote reforms in the administration of jus-
human rights are properly addressed in all aspects of
tice. In Southeast Europe, the Office will closely cooper-
governance, current and future.
ate with the Special Representative of the Secretary-
General on the situation of human rights defenders and
Following the High Commissioner’s visit to Central Asia
the Special Rapporteur on the right to education in
in 2007 and the expected conclusion of an agreement
following up on their recommendations.
with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic for the
establishment of a Regional Office for Central Asia, the
Office will strengthen its engagement in the countries of
Field presence
the region. The deployment of a human rights adviser in
Kyrgyzstan, jointly funded with members of the UN
In the 2008-2009 biennium, OHCHR’s presence in the
Country Team, is a step in this direction. Implementation
region is projected as follows:
of a joint OHCHR/UNDP treaty body reporting project
in Turkmenistan is under way and is yielding positive
TYPE OF OFFICE
LOCATION
results. The implementation of a comprehensive
three-year human rights project will follow as of 2008.
Regional Offices
Central Asia (Bishkek)*
Stand alone Office
Kosovo (Serbia)
With the deployment of a senior human rights adviser to
Human Rights Components
Georgia/Abkhazia
Moscow at the end of 2007, the Office looks forward to
of UN Peace Missions
working with the UN Country Team and the Russian
authorities and institutions on a programme focusing on
Human Rights Advisers to
FYR Macedonia
UN Country Teams
Kyrgyzstan
the rule of law, equality and tolerance, and education
Moldova*
and information on human rights.
Russian Federation
Serbia*
In the South Caucasus, the placement of a human rights
South Caucasus (Tbilisi)
adviser in Tbilisi, Georgia, in May 2007, has strengthened
* To be opened during the biennium.
the Office’s capacity to provide advisory and capacity-
building services to national partners and to UN Country
Teams in the region.
OHCHR was, at the time of writing, exploring the possi-
bility of deploying an “Action 2”-funded human rights
REGIONAL OFFICES
adviser to the UN Country Team in Albania, in addition
to the adviser to be deployed in Moldova. Albania is one
of the pilot countries for the “One UN” programme.
Central Asia Regional Office
In those countries where OHCHR does not have a pres-
Established
2006 (Regional
ence, the Office will continue to follow human rights
Representative)
developments and be ready to advise governments from
2008 (Regional Office)
its Headquarters in Geneva. OHCHR will continue
No. of staff
6
strengthening and formalizing cooperation with region-
Financial requirements
USD 612,426
al organizations, including with the European Union,
with the aim of joining forces to address some of the
Human Rights Context
main human rights challenges throughout Europe, espe-
The five States of Central Asia share many features and
cially those related to migration, the fight against terror-
challenges, partly because of their shared history and
ism and discrimination. Thus, the work of the Special
the legacy of the Soviet Union, and because of their
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PART 2
geographic proximity. Yet, since each country has de-
The 2006-2007 biennium saw a number of positive
veloped in its own way since independence, specific and
developments: the change in leadership in Turkmenistan
targeted activities need to be developed for each country.
has created an opportunity for better engagement
with this country, and Kazakhstan became the first
There are no regional human rights mechanisms in
Central Asian State to sign the Optional Protocol to the
Central Asia, and few international organizations focus
Convention against Torture. The High Commissioner
their work exclusively on human rights issues. OHCHR
visited Central Asia in April and May 2007 with the aim
can therefore play a key role in raising awareness about
of discussing human rights needs in the region and how
human rights. The establishment of the Regional Office is
the future Regional Office for Central Asia could help
crucial for realizing OHCHR’s goal of active country
meet those needs.
engagement.
Achievements
Major human rights concerns as identified by UN human
In June 2006, a Regional Representative was deployed to
rights mechanisms include allegations of the widespread
Central Asia to establish the Regional Office. At the time of
use of torture; arbitrary detention; the absence of an inde-
writing, negotiations on the establishment of the Regional
pendent judiciary and violations of fair trial principles;
Office were ongoing. OHCHR hopes that they will be
harassment and persecution of civil society organizations,
completed by early 2008, and that the Regional Office will
human rights defenders and political opponents;
be fully functional during the 2008-2009 biennium.
violations of the right to seek asylum and of the non-
refoulement principle; domestic violence and violations of
Despite this delay, OHCHR was able to increase its
women's rights; child labour; serious obstacles to the
engagement on a number of key issues in the region. The
enjoyment of freedom of expression, association,
Office promoted ratification of the Optional Protocol to
information, and movement; limitations on the enjoy-
the Convention against Torture. Two round tables on the
ment of religious freedoms; poverty and violations of a
subject were held with the participation of international
wide range of social and economic rights, including the
experts and resulting materials were published and dis-
right to social security and to an adequate standard
seminated. Working with the Committee on Economic,
of living, in particular its component rights to adequate
Social and Cultural Rights, OHCHR organized a regional
housing and water.
seminar on follow-up to the Committee’s concluding
© UN Photo/Flaka Kuqi
86
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK – FIELD ACTIVITIES – OHCHR IN EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA AND CENTRAL ASIA
observations. The Office also carried out protection and
OHCHR will assist UN Country Teams in implementing a
promotion work and cooperated with the UN human
human rights-based approach in all areas of their work.
rights special procedures and treaty bodies.
Improved partnerships with Country Teams will help
bolster the effectiveness of UN human rights mech-
Before the closure of the UN Tajikistan Office of
anisms and will remain one of the cornerstones of
Peacebuilding in July 2007, OHCHR continued to support
OHCHR’s engagement in the region.
the activities of its human rights component through a
national programme officer working under the supervi-
The Regional Office will seek to increase its oversight
sion of the Central Asia regional representative and
and supervisory capacity for joint activities with donors
funded through the regional project. The regional project
and key actors from the international community,
implemented a number of human rights activities in
and will conduct regular field visits to the countries
Tajikistan, ranging from human rights education, treaty
in the region where joint activities and programmes
body reporting and implementation support to training
are being implemented. The Office will also work
for judges and lawyers. At the time of writing, OHCHR
with the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy
was cooperating with UNDP and other organizations
to engage relevant political and security organizations
active in the region, in particular OSCE, to continue
and States with significant leverage and influence in
providing human rights support to the country. At the
the region.
request of the Government, OHCHR and UNDP are sup-
porting Tajikistan’s efforts to establish an independent
CENTRAL ASIA
national human rights institution. Once the Regional
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
Office is formally established, it will support a smaller
presence in the country to allow for monitoring and
Requirements (USD)
protection work to continue. The unit would continue a
Personnel and related costs
215,815.00
number of initiatives in human rights education, and
Consultants
51,250.00
expand into new priority areas, such as violence against
Official travel
57,400.00
women, torture and housing rights. It would also
Contractual Services
34,850.00
General operating expenses
respond to government requests for support, particularly
43,255.00
Seminars, grants & contributions
139,400.00
for establishing an independent national human rights
institution.
Subtotal
541,970.00
Programme support costs
70,456.00
In Turkmenistan, a joint OHCHR/UNDP project to sup-
GRAND TOTAL
612,426.00
port the country in its treaty body reporting started in
May 2006. The Government set up an inter-ministerial
committee to be led by the National Institute for
Democracy and Human Rights and started work on
preparing reports to be submitted to the treaty bodies.
The committee is gathering additional information
under the Convention on the Elimination of Racial
STAND-ALONE OFFICES
Discrimination and will prepare the country’s report
under the International Covenant on Economic, Social
and Cultural Rights. The reports under the International
Kosovo (Serbia)
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the
Convention against Torture are also due. Agreement was
Established
1996 (Serbia Office)
reached with the Government to begin a new project in
No. of staff
7
mid-2008, in cooperation with UNDP, to focus on
Financial requirements
USD 1,674,967
implementing recommendations that emerge from the
various human rights bodies.
Human rights context
In view of the demands likely to arise as a result of
Priorities
Kosovo’s change of political status, OHCHR strengthened
OHCHR’s strategy in Central Asia focuses mostly on
its presence in Kosovo from a small sub-office of the
efforts to end impunity for torture, violence against
Serbia Field Office into a stand-alone office. At the
women and infringements on the rights of other vulner-
time of writing, the office was in the final stages of
able groups. One way to achieve this will be through
expansion and was expected to reach full capacity at
ensuring greater access to legal services. The Regional
the end of 2007.
Office will also continue to raise awareness about eco-
nomic, cultural and social rights, and about UN human
Political developments have had an impact on OHCHR’s
rights complaint mechanisms, including special
work in Kosovo. The collapse of negotiations within the
procedures and treaty bodies, and will work to improve
Security Council (which put the Ahtisaari Proposals on
the effectiveness of the treaty body reporting system.
hold, together with plans for the withdrawal of the UN
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
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PART 2
Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and deployment of an EU-led
OHCHR also worked with the UN Kosovo Team on a
presence) and uncertainty over the outcome of the new
number of advocacy initiatives that resulted in policy
round of negotiations have made it difficult to address
changes, such as the relocation of a number of internally
the human rights situation. The level of human rights
displaced persons affected by lead poisoning. The Office
protection in Kosovo is generally unsatisfactory. OHCHR
assisted the Secretary and members of the Human
will continue to work with the existing international
Rights Committee in considering the report of Kosovo
presence and the Kosovo Provisional Institutions of
under the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Self-Government (PISG) in order to address possible
Rights, and helped facilitate dialogue between
accountability concerns.
Committee members and the UN mission.
A dialogue was established between UNMIK and
Priorities
UN and Council of Europe treaty bodies, including the
Given the extensive human rights concerns and uncer-
Human Rights Committee. This was the first time a
tainties remaining in Kosovo, the main objectives of
non-State Party reported to these bodies.
OHCHR in the 2008-2009 biennium include identifying
the human rights challenges that will emerge after
Achievements
UNMIK withdraws, and strengthening the capacity of
OHCHR’s work in Kosovo over the past two years has
the future Government to translate Kosovo’s obligations
contributed to increased awareness and consideration of
under international human rights instruments into
human rights-related matters by UNMIK and the PISG.
effective laws, regulations and policies, including
The capacities of the UN agencies in Kosovo to imple-
increased Government engagement with human rights
ment a human rights-based approach have been
mechanisms and bodies. Where necessary, the Office
increased. In the last biennium, OHCHR Pristina concen-
will be ready to provide technical advice to those
trated its efforts on strengthening government human
international structures supporting Kosovo’s national
rights capacities and providing advice and political
institutions. OHCHR will also assist in facilitating the
support to the Ombudsperson localization process. The
adoption of a comprehensive transitional justice
Office promoted the conclusion of UNMIK’s dialogue
approach by the numerous actors involved in various
with UN treaty bodies, and fulfilment of UNMIK’s other
uncoordinated projects.
human rights obligations. The Office worked with the
UN Kosovo Team to integrate OHCHR’s planned activ-
OHCHR’s interventions in these areas will seek to con-
ities, including training of staff and partners, with those
tribute to a smooth transition of human rights responsi-
of other agencies. It also advocated for the consideration
bilities from UNMIK to the successor authorities and a
of human rights in the Ahtisaari Proposals, and encour-
possible post-UNMIK international presence. This would
aged the implementation of transitional justice
include an effective “localized” national human rights
initiatives in the Kosovo status process.
institution, a functioning human rights advisory panel
(and its successor body), conclusion and handover by
OHCHR’s intervention in these areas has led to several
UNMIK of its treaty body reporting and follow-up obliga-
tangible results, including the revision of a number
tions, and progress in the field of transitional justice.
of draft laws to ensure greater compatibility with
Another expected accomplishment would be the
human rights standards (two were related to the
strengthened capacity of Kosovo authorities to protect
establishment and role of the Ombudsman). With
human rights. The Office will also endeavour to issue
support from the Office, the PISG developed and started
public reports.
to implement a human rights strategy. Working with
the OSCE, OHCHR also helped ensure greater awareness
KOSOVO (SERBIA)
among senior PISG officials of the need to create
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
properly staffed and qualified human rights units
within key ministries.
Requirements (USD)
Personnel and related costs
1,189,573.00
As part of the development of the Ahtisaari Proposals
Official travel
37,310.00
and the UNMIK transition plan, OHCHR’s dialogue
Contractual Services
33,210.00
with UNMIK resulted in several concrete policy deci-
General operating expenses
166,829.00
Seminars, grants & contributions
55,350.00
sions. By the end of 2007, UNMIK agreed to establish
a focal point for human rights issues, to regularly
Subtotal
1,482,272.00
convene a task force to address these issues, and started
Programme support costs
192,695.00
preparations for convening the much-delayed Human
GRAND TOTAL
1,674,967.00
Rights Advisory Panel. OHCHR intends to build upon
these achievements in the next biennium to ensure that
it is regularly consulted by UNMIK, and any successor
international actors, in policy discussions affecting
human rights.
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SUPPORT TO PEACE
Specialized leadership training on human rights-based
MISSIONS
approaches will be conducted for UN Country Team
members, and a joint programme on promoting national
human rights mechanisms will be developed.
Abkhazia/Georgia – United Nations
Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG)
Moldova
OHCHR continues to support the human rights
component of UNOMIG, which is mandated to monitor
At the time of writing, the Office was in the final stage
the human rights situation in Abkhazia, Georgia and to
of negotiations to deploy a human rights adviser,
protect the human rights of the population there. This
jointly-funded with the UN Country Team, by the end
includes ensuring a safe and dignified return of refugees
of 2007. Since the UN Country Team emphasizes the
and internally displaced persons, establishing direct
integration of human rights principles, standards and
contacts in Abkhazia to improve the human rights
values in its development programmes, the Human
situation, and reporting on human rights developments.
Rights Adviser will work with the Resident Coordinator
and the Country Team to develop strategies to build
Capacity-building activities, such as rehabilitation pro-
and strengthen national capacities and institutions to
grammes for former detainees and legal assistance projects,
promote and protect human rights, particularly through
have helped to alleviate the suffering of some of the most
UN development programmes.
vulnerable people. In 2008-2009, OHCHR will continue to
focus on the most prevalent human rights problems,
The Adviser will map the UN agencies’ development
including impunity, violations of due process, disappear-
interventions in human rights and national capacities
ances, arbitrary arrests, mistreatment and torture of
to promote and protect human rights, and will help the
detainees, extortion and corruption, arbitrary evictions and
Country Team coordinate a comprehensive assessment
illegal occupation of property, and restrictions on freedom
of the use of the rights-based approach. This assessment
of expression. The above-mentioned capacity-building pro-
will include an analysis of UN programmes and projects
jects will continue and the Office will raise awareness about
from a human rights perspective. Efforts will be made
the recommendations of international human rights mech-
to increase participation of national and local stake-
anisms, particularly the recent concluding observations of
holders in international human rights mechanisms,
the Human Rights Committee and the recommendations of
including treaty body reporting and special procedures.
the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial
human rights of internally displaced persons.
Discrimination will consider Moldova’s State report
during its 72nd session in February-March 2008.
Russian Federation
HUMAN RIGHTS ADVISERS
The High Commissioner's two visits to the Russian
Federation, in 2005 and 2006, provided an opportunity to
Kyrgyzstan
consolidate and strengthen cooperation with national
authorities and partners. A human rights presence was
An “Action 2”-funded human rights adviser was deployed
established within the UN Country Team in Moscow
to the UN Country Team in March 2007 for one year to
through the deployment of a national programme officer;
help integrate human rights into the work of the
a senior human rights adviser will be in place at the begin-
Country Team and to promote and institutionalize the
ning of 2008. The latter deployment will assist the UN
application of a human rights-based approach in the
Country Team, the Government, and civil society in their
Team’s work. Introductory training was held for Country
efforts to advance human rights in the Russian Federation.
Team members and resource guides were developed and
disseminated. The Human Rights Adviser is working
As a follow-up to the High Commissioner’s visit to Russia,
closely with the Country Team in developing joint
a framework for cooperation with the Russian Federation
activities, including advocacy activities.
for 2007 and beyond was developed by OHCHR in close
consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and on
Induction training on human rights approaches to devel-
the basis of discussions with a number of State agencies
opment, organized for UN staff members, have increased
and bodies, national institutions and civil society. OHCHR
their knowledge of international human rights instru-
plans to focus on three main areas: rule of law; equality
ments and raised their awareness about human rights
and tolerance; and education and information on human
principles. OHCHR is also working in close cooperation
rights. At the time of writing, consultations with all
with UNDP in developing a joint project to support the
relevant partners about the modalities of activities to be
Government in treaty body reporting.
implemented in these three areas were ongoing.
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PART 2
Serbia
human rights into programming, supporting the Country
Team’s interaction with UN human rights bodies, and
Following an agreement with the UN Resident
assisting the country in implementing recommendations
Coordinator, OHCHR was, at the time of writing, plan-
of recent treaty body considerations, particularly
ning to deploy a national human rights adviser and pro-
with regard to the Committee on the Elimination of
gramme assistant to the UN Country Team in Serbia by
Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the Committee
the end of 2007. The Adviser and the Assistant will sup-
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) and the
port the Office of the Resident Coordinator and the UN
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Country Team in Serbia to monitor the human rights situ-
(CERD), and special procedure visits, notably the latest
ation and assist the Government of Serbia to develop its
visit of the Special Representative of the Secretary-
capacity to promote and protect human rights in Serbia.
General on the situation of human rights defenders.
In addition to monitoring and reporting, the Adviser and
The Human Rights Adviser served as part of the UN
the Assistant will focus on supporting UN human rights
Country Team’s theme group on human rights and gender
treaty body and special procedures mechanisms in
and worked to incorporate human rights principles in the
Serbia; supporting UN and national NGO transitional
Country Team’s daily work. A major outcome of the theme
justice initiatives; supporting activities for human rights
group’s work was the completion of a mapping exercise
promotion and education; and providing general human
of Country Team activities, which will be an important
rights advice and support to the Resident Coordinator
starting point for the development of a Team strategy on
and the UN Country Team.
human rights and gender. An assessment of the extent
of domestic violence in The former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia was also completed during 2006-2007, the
South Caucasus
first ever UN joint programming effort in the country.
The Human Rights Adviser for the South Caucasus was
In the coming biennium, the Human Rights Adviser will
deployed in Tbilisi, Georgia, in May 2007, heading a team
continue to focus on strengthening capacities for joint
of national staff within the UN Country Teams in
action within the UN Country Team and strengthening
Georgia and Azerbaijan. The deployment helped increase
the Country Team’s and national actors’ capacity to
OHCHR’s capacity to incorporate human rights-based
engage with UN human rights mechanisms.
approaches into the UN Country Team’s development
Preparations will also be made for the Universal Periodic
programming in the region and to assist governments
Review, scheduled for the country for 2009, and the
and civil society in strengthening national capacities to
Office will continue its work to ensure that national
promote and protect human rights. OHCHR brought UN
human rights institutions adhere to the Paris Principles.
treaty body committee members to the countries of the
region, encouraging interaction between its national
partners and international human rights mechanisms.
The Human Rights Adviser helps raise awareness about
international human rights standards among govern-
ments, civil society and the public and helps translate
these standards into national legislation, policies and
practices. The Adviser focuses on administration of jus-
tice, freedom of expression, and the human rights of dis-
empowered, vulnerable and conflict-affected groups, and
will assist in implementing the recommendations of
recent treaty body considerations and special procedure
mechanisms, particularly in light of the recent visit of
the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on
the human rights of internally displaced persons.
The former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia
Following the completion of OHCHR’s technical
cooperation project in the former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia at the end of 2006, OHCHR deployed a
national human rights adviser with the aim of providing
advice to the UN Country Team on how to incorporate
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK – FIELD ACTIVITIES – OHCHR IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
OHCHR IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
BAHAMAS
CUBA
JAMAICA
TURKS AND CAICOS
MEXICO
HAITI
BELIZE
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
PUERTO RICO (USA)
GUATEMALA
SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
HONDURAS
DOMINICA
SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
SAINT LUCIA
EL SALVADOR
BARBADOS
NICARAGUA
GRENADA
BOLIVARIAN
COSTA RICA
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
REPUBLIC OF
VENEZUELA
GUYANA
PANAMA
SURINAME
COLOMBIA
FRENCH GUYANA
ECUADOR
BRAZIL
PERU
BOLIVIA
PARAGUAY
CHILE
URUGUAY
ARGENTINA
Regional human rights context
poverty and exclusion, highlighting the imperative of
promoting respect for economic, social and cultural
The legal framework for human rights protection in Latin
rights.
America and the Caribbean region is relatively strong.
The region has long-established mechanisms, such as the
Pressing human rights concerns include impunity,
Inter-American Commission for Human Rights and the
inefficient administration of justice, weak institutions,
Inter-American Court of Human Rights, while most
corruption, and past human rights abuses committed
countries in the region have national institutions for the
under various dictatorial regimes. Alarmingly high
promotion and protection of human rights. There are
instances of prolonged pre-trial detention, prison over-
networks of civil society organizations monitoring
crowding, and violence against women are also perva-
human rights, and many governments are willing to
sive. Latin America is affected by public insecurity and
cooperate with international and regional human rights
violence, including violence related to organized crime
mechanisms. The rate of ratification of major human
rings linked to drug trafficking and juvenile gangs.
rights treaties is relatively high in Latin America,
although not in the Caribbean.
Democratic elections are now the norm in the
region. In 2006-2007, there were national elections
At the same time, Latin America has one of the highest
in 16 countries; 12 more elections are scheduled for
levels of social inequality in the world, which has
the 2008-2009 biennium. In addition, two countries,
worsened over the past decade. The region’s persistent
Bolivia and Ecuador, are undergoing constitutional
inequality in income hampers development and the
reform processes, which present another opportunity
enjoyment of human rights. Indigenous and Afro-
for strengthening domestic human rights protection
descendent groups are among the most affected by
mechanisms.
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PART 2
Strategy
REGIONAL OFFICES
In 2008-2009, OHCHR will concentrate its efforts on the
fight against impunity, poverty, inequality and discrim-
Regional Office for Latin America
ination. To address these issues, the Office will work to
ensure that national institutions, laws and programmes
Established
Panama: 2007
comply with human rights standards, that governments
Santiago: 2001
implement the recommendations of UN human rights
No. of staff
Panama: 3
mechanisms and bodies, and that more steps are taken
Santiago: 2
to allow groups that are marginalized or discriminated
Financial requirements
Panama: USD 1,481,600
against to participate in public policy decision-making
Santiago: USD 695,889
and monitoring processes.
From 2008, the Regional Office for Latin America will be
In 2008-2009, OHCHR will have ten presences in the
based in Panama and will have a liaison office in
region: Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala,
Santiago de Chile, where a fully-fledged regional office
Guyana, Haiti, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama.
for South America had been in operation since 2001. The
feasibility of re-establishing a second regional office in
Where no field offices are present, OHCHR will follow
Santiago will be re-examined in late 2008.
and analyse the human rights situations from
Headquarters, proposing adequate courses of action to
Achievements
the High Commissioner and UN human rights mech-
During the 2006-2007 biennium, awareness about
anisms; assist UN Country Team efforts to integrate
human rights was raised among UN agencies, govern-
human rights into their activities; support activities of
ments, national human rights institutions, judges, mem-
the UN human rights mechanisms, including visits by
bers of parliament, human rights defenders, NGOs, and
special procedures, and examinations of States parties’
the general public through official communications to
reports by treaty bodies; support visits to the region by
governments, training activities, work with the media
the High Commissioner and other UN officials; and
and advocacy. Several workshops and seminars were
reinforce cooperation with the inter-American and other
organized, including a regional seminar on follow-up to
regional human rights mechanisms.
the implementation of the recommendations of the
Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) (Costa Rica,
2006), a National Seminar on the Establishment of a
Field presence
Human Rights Institution (Chile, 2007), and the
Colloquium on the Protection of Victims of Human
OHCHR’s field presence in Latin America is projected as
Rights Abuses in Argentina, organized in collaboration
follows:
with the National Human Rights Secretariat and the
Comité para la Defensa de la Salud, la Ética Profesional y
los Derechos Humanos (CODESEDH, Committee for the
TYPE OF OFFICE
LOCATION
Defence of Health, Professional Ethics and Human
Regional Offices
Latin America
Rights) in 2007.
(Panama, Santiago)
Country Offices
Bolivia
The Office also reinforced its partnership with UN
Colombia
partners, including the Economic Commission for Latin
Guatemala
America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and other UN
Mexico
regional offices, and with regional intergovernmental
Human Rights Components
Haiti
organizations. Several activities were jointly organized,
of UN Peace Missions
including a regional workshop on the elaboration of
Human Rights Advisers to
Ecuador
human rights-based national Millennium Development
Country Teams
Guyana
Goal reports (in collaboration with ECLAC, UNDP, UNICEF
Nicaragua
and UNFPA, Chile, 2007); a Regional Seminar on
Migration Governance and Human Rights (in collabora-
tion with IOM, Chile, 2007), and the Regional Seminar on
Justiciability of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (in
collaboration with ECLAC, Chile, 2007). The Office
monitored the human rights situation in the region and
strengthened its interaction with UN Country Teams
and other national actors, such as national human rights
institutions, and worked with academic institutions to
organize awareness-raising and capacity-building activ-
ities. In 2007, the Office submitted comments on the draft
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK – FIELD ACTIVITIES – OHCHR IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
law on the death penalty to the Peruvian Congress. The
activities. There is a growing consensus in the region
Office also organized several training activities on incor-
that the human rights-based approach is a valuable tool
porating human rights into UN planning processes for
for sustainable development, the fight against poverty
UN staff in the region (Ecuador, 2007; Trinidad and
and for strengthening social cohesion and protection
Tobago, 2007; Chile, 2007).
systems. It also helps governments and UN Country
Teams understand and abide by international human
Priorities
rights obligations, and facilitates monitoring of human
In 2008-2009, the Office will concentrate its efforts in
rights.
Latin America on the identified regional priorities: the
fight against impunity, poverty and inequality, discrimi-
PANAMA OFFICE
nation against Afro-descendants and indigenous
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
peoples, and insecurity and violence, including violence
against women.
Requirements* (USD)
Personnel and related costs
1,066,600.00
OHCHR will help raise awareness about international
Consultants
human rights instruments and recommendations issued
Official travel
16,000.00
by international human rights mechanisms. The Office
Contractual Services
General operating expenses
112,000.00
will help civil society organizations obtain access and
Furniture & Equipment
149,200.00
provide information to UN human rights mechanisms,
Seminars, grants & contributions
137,800.00
and will help disseminate and implement the recom-
GRAND TOTAL
1,481,600.00
mendations of special procedures and treaty bodies. The
Regional Office will also foster dialogue to deepen co-
* UN Regular budget funds
operation between the inter-American human rights
system and the UN human rights mechanisms to help
strengthen governments’ commitment to human rights.
SANTIAGO OFFICE
The Office will promote the ratification of newly adopted
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
human rights treaties, namely the International
Requirements (USD)
Convention for the Protection of All Persons from
Enforced Disappearances and the Convention on the
Personnel and related costs
333,956.00
Consultants
Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Protocol.
Official travel
31,775.00
Contractual Services
8,610.00
In order to have concrete impact in all the countries
General operating expenses
162,852.00
covered, the Regional Office will establish solid working
Seminars, grants & contributions
78,638.00
relations and regular communications with govern-
Subtotal
615,831.00
ments, national human rights institutions, civil society
Programme support costs
80,058.00
organizations, especially regional networks of NGOs and
academic institutions, UN Country Teams, regional UN
GRAND TOTAL
695,889.00
agencies and other regional organizations.
The Office will cooperate in the implementation of the
Andean Programme on Human Rights Protection and
Empowerment of Indigenous Peoples and Afro-
descendants in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.
COUNTRY OFFICES
In an effort to increase the number of steps taken to
allow groups that are discriminated against to partici-
Bolivia
pate in public policy decision-making, seminars, forums
and other public activities will be conducted with the
Established
2007
aim of strengthening the knowledge and capacity of
No. of staff
8
regional human rights organizations on issues related to
Financial requirements
USD 1,762,202
the administration of justice, the rights of the child, the
rights of indigenous peoples and women’s rights.
Human rights context
Bolivia has experienced significant social and political
The Regional Office’s comparative value-added in the
unrest in recent years. While the landslide election of
region is its proven human rights expertise. For the UN
President Evo Morales in December 2005, a national ref-
Country Teams in the region, OHCHR assumes the lead-
erendum and the opening of a Constituent Assembly to
ership in human rights issues and the Regional Office
rewrite the country’s Constitution have all led to a new
will provide practical tools and guidelines on integrating
political climate, the processes underway have revealed
human rights in UN programmes and joint planning
social and political fault lines between the resource-rich
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
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PART 2
lowland departments and the largely poor highland
Achievements
regions of the country, as well as between the traditional
Given the fact that this is a new OHCHR Office, there
political classes and parties and social movements.
are no achievements to build upon from the previous
Those differences are threatening to undermine the
biennium. However, OHCHR played a central role in
Constituent Assembly process, making activities aimed
the indigenous component of UNDP’s Human Rights
at strengthening the promotion and protection of
Strengthening Programme (HURIST), establishing a UN
human rights in the country all the more urgent.
Country Team consultative mechanism with indigenous
peoples. OHCHR Bolivia participates in the inter-agency
Bolivia has ratified all seven major international human
group created to assist this mechanism. By the end of
rights instruments, including the Optional Protocols to
2007, OHCHR should have concluded all necessary
the Convention on All Forms of Discrimination against
administrative and logistical arrangements, including
Women (CEDAW), the Convention on the Rights of the
the recruitment and deployment of staff, for the full
Child (CRC) and the International Covenant on Civil and
functioning of the office. During 2007, OHCHR Bolivia
Political Rights (ICCPR). Bolivia has also ratified the
established contacts with international partners and
Statute of Rome, and the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples
most national stakeholders, and identified priority areas
Convention (No.169) of the International Labour
of cooperation.
Organization. The most recent country visit to Bolivia
was by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food.
Priorities
The Special Rapporteur on indigenous peoples visited
OHCHR’s assistance and technical support will be
the country from 26 November to 6 December 2007.
essential in ensuring that a rights-based approach that
complies with international human rights standards is
Human rights mechanisms have raised as issues of
adopted in legislation, including the new Constitution,
concern the situation of extreme poverty in which the
and reflected in the programmes and practices of all
majority of Bolivians live; the need to address the chronic
relevant State institutions. Strategic partnerships will be
levels of malnutrition among Bolivia’s young children;
established with the Government, State institutions, the
the need to improve access to land for peasant commu-
UN Country Team and international and national part-
nities and rural families and to recognize traditional
ners and leading human rights defenders, with the High
forms of land tenure and restitution of lands of indige-
Commissioner’s Report on the activities of the Office as a
nous communities; the need to address the effects of
starting point for dialogue with each institution, on the
structural adjustment policies in a human rights
challenges that need to be addressed. OHCHR will work
framework; the need to integrate indigenous peoples into
with the Ombudsman’s Office (Defensoría del Pueblo)
Bolivian society, especially into political decision-making
on judicial reform and State programmes designed to
processes; domestic violence against women and
reduce impunity, vulnerability and exclusion, and
children, especially in the form of sexual exploitation;
reinforce the rule of law.
impunity and shortcomings in the administration of
justice; and the need to mainstream human rights
The Office will also assist civil society organizations in
education and disseminate human rights information.
using treaty body and special procedures recommenda-
tions and in submitting information to these mech-
The High Commissioner visited the country in
anisms. OHCHR will also provide technical assistance to
February 2007, and an agreement establishing the new
the Government in submitting reports and implement-
Country Office in Bolivia was signed between the High
ing the recommendations made by these bodies.
Commissioner and President Morales and then ratified by
the Parliament in July 2007. OHCHR Bolivia’s mandate
BOLIVIA
will be to ensure that national and local institutions
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
have adequate knowledge, understanding and skills to
identify human rights concerns in the area of administra-
Requirements (USD)
tion of justice and to develop a mix of legislative
Personnel and related costs
1,262,549.00
and policy measures to address human rights concerns
Consultants
4,920.00
effectively; that civil society, vulnerable groups and the
Official travel
51,455.00
general public know and can claim their rights, especially
Contractual Services
45,100.00
General operating expenses
140,917.00
with regard to economic, social and cultural rights and
Seminars, grants & contributions
54,530.00
combating racial discrimination; and that national and
Subtotal
local human rights institutions are supported so that they
1,559,471.00
can fulfil their obligations; The mandate also includes
Programme support costs
202,731.00
assisting State institutions, such as the Attorney General’s
GRAND TOTAL
1,762,202.00
Office, in their efforts to combat impunity by improving
the criminal prosecution system in a way that leads to a
proper investigation of the events of 2003 and other viola-
tions of human rights, and to ensure redress to victims.
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK – FIELD ACTIVITIES – OHCHR IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Colombia
Many Colombians continue to be affected by poverty,
discrimination and inequality. Although there
Established
1997
has been a decrease in the poverty rate in recent
No. of staff
68
years, around half of the population continues to live
Financial requirements
USD 16,595,479
under the poverty line. The rights to health, food,
education, water and sanitary services, work and
Human rights context
housing are still not fully realized. Colombia will be
OHCHR has been present in Colombia since 1997.
reviewed within the context of the Universal Periodic
Through its offices in Bogotá, Medellín, Bucaramanga
Review (UPR) during the third session of the Human
and Cali, it implements a comprehensive programme
Rights Council in 2008.
that includes observing and reporting on human rights
and international humanitarian law, giving advice, pro-
Achievements
viding technical cooperation, promoting and disseminat-
The Office concentrated on examining cases of extrajudi-
ing human rights and international humanitarian law,
cial executions with the Government. This led to the
and strengthening national authorities and civil society.
adoption of internal decisions to prevent extrajudicial
In September 2007, OHCHR’s mandate in Colombia was
executions and to additional measures by the Attorney
renewed for three years.
General’s Office to improve the effectiveness of criminal
investigations of those cases.
Colombia is plagued with internal armed conflict and vio-
lence, resulting in pervasive human rights violations and
Through frequent field missions, sometimes to
breaches of international humanitarian law. Drug traffick-
remote rural areas, the Office raised awareness of
ing and organized crime also feed into this situation. In her
and helped protect the human rights of community
2006 Annual Report on Colombia, the High Commissioner
members and human rights defenders, encouraging
described “numerous and frequent violations of the rights
authorities at all levels to take preventive actions and
to life and personal integrity, freedom and security, and the
intensify their dedication to investigating human
right to due process and judicial guarantees”. Although
rights violations.
most members of paramilitary groups were formally
demobilized as part of the so-called Justice and Peace Law
The legal advice provided by OHCHR had a positive
during 2005 and 2006, paramilitary activities persist.
impact on new legislation, most notably in the “Justice
Judicial processes to investigate these activities have
and Peace Law” and the Code of Military Justice.
started, but greater efforts will be needed to ensure the
right to truth, justice and reparation for the victims, and
The technical cooperation projects focusing on the rights
the protection of victims, witnesses and members of
of persons deprived of liberty and strengthening the
judicial institutions who courageously fight impunity.
human rights perspective within the Attorney General’s
© OHCHR Colombia
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
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PART 2
Office had a significant impact on institutional policies
COLOMBIA
and helped build confidence, which, in turn, led to
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
progress on other human rights issues.
Requirements (USD)
The Office helped strengthen civil society organizations
Personnel and related costs
10,589,382.00
by creating opportunities for dialogue between them
Consultants
1,324,920.00
and civil, military and police authorities at the national
Official travel
710,540.00
Contractual Services
380,480.00
and regional levels.
General operating expenses
1,680,943.00
Public statements highlighting human rights violations,
Subtotal
14,686,264.00
breaches in international humanitarian law and public
Programme support costs
1,909,214.00
policies affecting human rights resulted in greater
GRAND TOTAL
16,595,479.00
coverage of human rights issues in the media.
Priorities
OHCHR Colombia’s work for the coming biennium will
Guatemala
focus on the fight against impunity. Advice and training
will be provided on preventing and investigating incidents
Established
2005
of torture, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings,
No. of staff
39
illegal detentions and sexual violence. The Office will
Financial requirements
USD 8,244,853
continue strengthening the capacity of the Public Ministry
(Procurator General, Ombudsman and municipal ombuds-
Human rights context
men) and the Attorney General’s Office to investigate
Guatemala enjoys a rising economy that would guaran-
human rights violations and breaches of international
tee the well-being of all its citizens if its wealth were dis-
humanitarian law and will advocate for protection of and
tributed equally. Instead, Guatemala has one of the most
assistance to victims of the armed conflict, human rights
unequal distributions of wealth in the world. The newly
defenders and members of the judiciary. OHCHR will focus
elected Government, which will take office in January
on supporting victims’ organizations and institutions
2008, faces a myriad of challenges, but none will be
created to ensure the rights of the victims to truth, justice
more critical than addressing violent and organized
and reparation, and on promoting peace and reconciliation.
crime, which is said to be increasingly infiltrating the
political system itself. According to the United Nations
The Office will support the strengthening of a human
Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Guatemala reports
rights culture through training, by promoting an agree-
one of the highest intentional homicide rates among all
ment on a national action plan on human rights and
countries for which reliable data are available. The UNDP
international humanitarian law and a national plan on
reckons that violence costs Guatemala the equivalent
human rights education, and through awareness-raising
of 7.3 percent of its GDP each year.
activities. The Office will strengthen the capacity of the
mass media to inform the public about human rights
Guatemala, like some of its Central American neighbours,
issues.
is, according to UNODC, believed to be the transit zone
through which 88 percent of the cocaine headed for
OHCHR will enhance the capacities of the UN Country
the United States passes. Civil society is weak. Direct
Team to assist the State in strengthening its human
attacks on human rights defenders and both targeted
rights protection system and to mainstream human
and diffuse threats have prompted self-censorship among
rights through the 2008-2012 UNDAF.
human rights groups. Political parties are weak and
fragmented, impunity is rampant and criminality is
The Office will concentrate on building the capacity
commonplace.
of civil society to participate in the design of and
decision-making processes concerning public policies
Little progress has been achieved in ten years of post-
that recognize and protect rights. A training agenda has
peace international cooperation, including through the
been developed to promote widespread knowledge
since-withdrawn UN Verification Mission in Guatemala
about international human rights standards and their
(MINUGUA), some of which could be attributed to lack of
application to development issues.
planning and consistency in implementation. But the
greatest weakness identified is a deep-rooted resistance
OHCHR Colombia will also strengthen the capacity of
of the wealthiest sectors of society to help fund the State
civil society to use and inform international human
apparatus. With a significantly reduced tax base, the
rights mechanisms, including treaty bodies, special
State must function with less than 10 percent of GDP,
procedures, the High Commissioner and the UPR, in order
well below the average in Latin America. The exception-
to assist individuals and groups who are marginalized
ally bumpy road that led to the approval of the UN-
or discriminated against in claiming their rights.
supported International Commission against Impunity
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK – FIELD ACTIVITIES – OHCHR IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
in Guatemala (CICIG) is proof of the resistance among
legislation and public policies, and uphold their interna-
important segments of society to what is considered an
tional obligations. It will work with rights-holders,
infringement of Guatemala’s sovereignty.
especially civil society organizations, to encourage them
to promote compliance by duty-bearers, including by
While the CICIG’s approval, through a national emergency
providing legal services.
voting procedure in Congress, provides an opportunity for
the country to start serious investigations of past and pres-
OHCHR will cultivate and maintain its partnerships with
ent human rights violations and serious crimes with the
national, regional and international actors. Training on a
support of top international investigators, there is a possi-
human rights-based approach for members of the UN
bility that its functioning may be hampered by resistance
Country Team will be followed up to ensure implementa-
by many sectors within and outside the State machinery.
tion in programming and budgeting ahead of the new
The impact of the establishment of CICIG on the work of
Common Country Assessment (CCA)/ UN Development
the OHCHR’s office in Guatemala will be significant, as the
Assistance Framework (UNDAF) cycle that will start in
UN system will look to OHCHR to provide analysis and
2008. Relations with the international community will be
support, both advisory and technical, in understanding the
strengthened as the Office attempts to bring more focus
working environment and identifying paradigmatic cases.
to the donors’ approach to funding of human rights
projects with both the Government and civil society.
Guatemala will be reviewed by the Human Rights
Council, under the UPR mechanism, during its second
With a limited presence of UN agencies, programmes
session in 2008. OHCHR will negotiate a renewal of
and funds in the country, OHCHR’s Office has a
the mandate of its Country Office, which is due to expire,
distinctive, and publicly recognized, role in addressing
in the second quarter of the same year.
human rights issues. The Office will cooperate with
public institutions whose role is crucial for protecting
Achievements
human rights, including the Ombudsman’s Office and
OHCHR Guatemala has established positive working
the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and with those that have
relationships with all sectors, including the Government,
proved receptive and committed to change, such as
State institutions, civil society, the media, the UN
the Office for the Defence of Indigenous Women, the
Country Team and the international community, and
Presidential Commission on Human Rights, and the
has come to be seen as a reliable partner.
Presidential Commission against Discrimination and
Racism. These areas of work are already prioritized
Three important laws adopted in 2006-2007, on the
in the UNDAF that was approved in 2005, but will be
penitentiary system, the establishment of the National
further incorporated during the next CCA/UNDAF
Institute of Forensic Science, and on organized crime,
cycles, starting in 2008.
fully incorporate the Office’s recommendations.
The Office will work to reduce gaps in knowledge,
The Office has become well known among the general
commitment and capacity of duty-bearers concerning
public, and its media work has helped generate pubic
the ratification of treaties and additional protocols, the
debate on human rights issues. One of the main recom-
submission of reports to the Committee on the Elimination
mendations of the High Commissioner’s 2006 Annual
of Racial Discrimination (CERD) and the Committee on
Report on Guatemala, suggesting the need to gradually
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR), the partici-
increase the tax level over the next three years to allow
pation in the UPR, and the upcoming visits of special
the State to better respect, protect and realize human
procedures. It will also assist civil society organizations in
rights, caused much debate and was regularly referred
communicating with special procedures and submitting
to, and supported by, both national and international
alternative reports to human rights mechanisms.
actors, including the President of the World Bank and
the General Manager of the International Monetary
GUATEMALA
Fund during their visits to Guatemala that year.
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
Through the Office’s technical cooperation activities,
Requirements (USD)
members of vulnerable groups, journalists, prosecutors
Personnel and related costs
4.544.001.00
and civil society activists received training on how to
Consultants
601,675.00
claim their rights, how to investigate human rights viola-
Official travel
347,270.00
tions, and other human rights-related issues. OHCHR
Contractual Services
526,850.00
Guatemala has promoted the value of its work among
General operating expenses
802,985.00
Seminars, grants & contributions
473,550.00
State authorities and the general public.
Subtotal
7,296,331.00
Priorities
Programme support costs
948,523.00
The Office will work with duty-bearers to increase their
GRAND TOTAL
8,244,853.00
capacity to understand and implement human rights
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
97

PART 2
Mexico
The Office has also replicated the successful experience
of the National Diagnosis and NHRP at state and local
Established
2002
levels where knowledge and implementation of interna-
No. of staff
8
tional human rights standards is weak.
Financial requirements
USD 3,293,001
In order to increase knowledge about human rights,
Human rights context
reports and documents on key issues were disseminated
The office in Mexico was established in 2002 as part of a
throughout the country, and a capacity-building strategy
technical cooperation agreement with the Government.
targeting Government and civil society at federal and
Since the office was established, the Government has
state levels was launched. The Office also started train-
shown greater political will towards implementing the
ing staff of the UN Country Team so that the Team can
observations and recommendations of international
begin implementing programmes and activities with a
human rights mechanisms within both the universal
human rights-based approach. The Office also provided
and the regional systems. The Government has extended
legal advice and facilitated meetings between victims
a standing invitation to special procedures. Most recently,
of human rights violations and special procedures
the Special Rapporteur on violence against women
mandate-holders when they visited Mexico.
visited the country in 2005 and the Special Rapporteur
on the sale of children, child prostitution and child
Priorities
pornography visited in 2007. Some actions have been
The Office will continue its work with the Federal
taken to guarantee and protect human rights, such as
Congress in an effort to help pass constitutional reform
the elimination of the death penalty.
in human rights and increase the number of laws
approved and reformed that meet human rights stand-
However, Mexico still faces important challenges with
ards. It will also work with the Supreme Court of Justice
regard to ensuring that its national legislation complies
in incorporating international human rights standards in
with international human rights standards; reducing the
their jurisprudence and rulings.
gap between the principles enshrined in the human
rights treaties signed and ratified by Mexico and the
At the federal level, the Office will help formulate a new
reality on the ground; dismantling the structural causes
National Human Rights Action Plan that draws on the
of human rights violations related to poverty, inequality,
methodology and core points of the previous plan and
discrimination and impunity, particularly with regard to
guarantees active participation by civil society and aca-
women, children, indigenous peoples, migrants, the eld-
demic institutions. In order to guarantee the implemen-
erly and those with disabilities; promoting a culture of
tation of the actions and policies contemplated in the
respect for human rights; addressing the issues of public
plan, the Office will help establish clear monitoring
security, economic, social and cultural rights, criminal
mechanisms. It will also work with federal secretariats
justice, migration, the rights of indigenous peoples,
that have shown interest in integrating a human rights
violence against women and freedom of expression;
perspective into their plans and programmes, particularly
and constructing democratic mechanisms through which
those that address the issues of discrimination and
citizens can participate in formulating public policy,
poverty in a holistic manner.
including referenda, plebiscites and popular initiatives.
On the state level, the National Diagnosis and NHRP will
Achievements
be replicated in six more states. Coordinating commit-
Two of the most significant actions resulting from the
tees, composed of representatives from the executive,
Technical Cooperation Agreement between OHCHR and
legislative and judicial powers, the state human rights
the Government were the 2003 National Diagnostic of
commission, public and private universities and from
the Human Rights Situation in Mexico, known for its
civil society, will direct the exercise.
independence, openness and transparency, and the
National Human Rights Programme (NHRP) that resulted
Working with the Government, civil society and
from this process. Both are unprecedented exercises that
academic institutions, the Office will establish a set
have made a solid contribution in establishing a State
of objective indicators to measure the fulfilment of
policy based on human rights.
Mexico’s human rights obligations. OHCHR will also
convene a group of experts from civil society and
During the past biennium, the Office established close
academic institutions to formulate an independent,
relations with the Federal Congress in order to promote
annual report of the human rights situation in Mexico,
constitutional reform concerning human rights and the
in accordance with recommendation 31 of the National
harmonization of national legislation with international
Human Rights Diagnostic. A planned human rights
human rights standards. The Office also established
documentation centre, based in a university in Mexico
agreements with the Supreme Court of Justice, which
City, will obtain local, state, national and international
has been open to receiving advice and counsel from
human rights publications and make them available in
OHCHR regarding key human rights issues.
a single location.
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK – FIELD ACTIVITIES – OHCHR IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
OHCHR will also train law professors in international
Arbitrary arrests, unlawful police custody, ill-treatment
human rights law with the aim of creating a network
and excessive use of force continue to be reported. Lack
that can multiply these trainings on state and federal
of technical expertise, poor communication, negligence
levels. It will produce and distribute human rights mater-
and apparent corruption of judicial authorities are
ials, and ensure that information on human rights is
reportedly the source of numerous unlawful arrests,
disseminated through print, audio and visual media.
prolonged pre-trial detention and a low number of court
decisions. Public distrust of the justice system has led
many Haitians to avoid the formal court system and
MEXICO
rely on informal methods, such as vigilantism, which
BUDGET 2008 – 2009
further undermines the security situation.
Requirements (USD)
Deployed in eight departments, MINUSTAH’s Human
Personnel and related costs
1,578,780.00
Consultants
838,040.00
Rights Section regularly monitored police commissariats,
Official travel
82,205.00
prosecutors’ offices, justices of the peace, courts and
Contractual Services
51,250.00
prisons. It has also provided local authorities and the
General operating expenses
271,379.00
public with information on human rights developments
Seminars, grants & contributions
92,506.00
and on the functioning of these key rule-of-law institu-
Subtotal
2,914,160.00
tions. In February 2007, the human rights component
Programme support costs
378,841.00
organized two national seminars during which judicial
and police authorities worked on addressing the complex
GRAND TOTAL
3,293,001.00
challenges relating to the protection of judicial guaran-
tees. The human rights component has supported the
institutional development of the General Inspectorate
of the Haitian National Police through exchange of
information on individual cases and training.
SUPPORT TO PEACE
The Human Rights Section of MINUSTAH will continue
MISSIONS
its monitoring, public reporting, and training activities
aimed at strengthening capacities and facilitating
institutional reform, including by developing a national
Haiti – United Nations Stabilization
human rights agenda, while producing periodic reports
Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH)
to inform key public institutions, such as the police, the
judicial system, local administrative authorities and
Three years after the deployment of MINUSTAH,
parliament on issues relating to the protection of human
the human rights situation remains of great concern,
rights, the fight against impunity and institutional
and rapid improvements are needed, particularly
reform.
regarding the right to life and physical integrity and
social and economic rights. However, the May 2006
In its training activities for law enforcement, judicial and
installation of an elected Government following a
administrative authorities, the human rights section will
peaceful electoral cycle and subsequent high-level
address key human rights violations and procedural
appointments in the area of rule of law have created
irregularities observed in the field, such as in handling
the prospect of more efficient State responses to the
arrests, judicial investigations and indictments, with the
very serious human rights situation. The Government’s
aim of reducing the incidence of arbitrary and unlawful
willingness to address key issues such as impunity,
detention, prolonged pre-trial detention, poor investiga-
corruption and prolonged pre-trial detention, and to
tions, lack of coordination between police and judicial
implement police and justice reform is a most welcome
authorities, and impunity.
first step in advancing respect for human rights in
the country.
Support will also be provided to the Government,
Parliament and civil society in developing a human
Despite an improvement in the security situation,
rights action plan and in reporting to international
crime and urban violence remain pervasive. At the
treaty bodies on human rights. Capacity-building
same time, improvements in the security situation have
activities will include a special effort to strengthen the
revealed the weakness of the judicial system as law
programmatic capacities within the Office of the
enforcement, court and penitentiary systems are
Ombudsman (Office de la Protection du Citoyen- OPC).
unable to manage the influx of persons arrested and
detained. Prolonged pre-trial detention continues to
The human rights section will also help integrate
be of serious concern, despite government initiatives
human rights into the police academy programme,
such as the Commission de la détention (Detentions
particularly for the General Inspection and the
Commission).
Magistrate School, and help parliamentarians to apply
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
99

PART 2
human rights standards to their legislative work.
As part of its exit strategy, the Human Rights Adviser
Promotion activities will include activities to inform the
will advise the UN Country Team on how to include
public about human rights and the rule of law. Particular
human rights in the implementation of the UNDAF, the
emphasis will be placed on training members of the
formulation of the new poverty-reduction strategy paper
press, assisting national NGOs and bar associations in
and other planning frameworks of the UN Country
providing legal aid to indigents, and mainstreaming
Team, so as to ensure that the UN Country Team’s human
human rights into the work of MINUSTAH and the
rights efforts are sustainable. With the expert advice of
UN Country Team.
the Human Rights Adviser, the National Human Rights
Partnership is expected to become a public mechanism
through which civil society can monitor and support the
Government’s progress on its human rights treaty obli-
gations and recommendations. In coordination with the
HUMAN RIGHTS ADVISERS
new Social Cohesion Programme, the Human Rights
Adviser will advocate for the establishment of five
rights-based commissions while providing technical
Ecuador
advice to the State institutions that underpin the rule
of law, including the police, the magistracy and the
In June 2007, OHCHR deployed a Human Rights
judiciary, so that they can incorporate human rights
Adviser to support the UN Country Team, particularly
standards into their daily work.
in implementing human rights-based activities to
strengthen the judiciary.
Nicaragua
Given that the National Constituent Assembly will
approve a new Constitution defining the legal and politi-
Like most of its neighbouring countries in Central
cal structure of the country, and Ecuador is, for the first
America, Nicaragua is beset with human rights problems
time, formulating a long-term development strategy,
related to poverty, discrimination and shortcomings in
OHCHR will focus on supporting the ongoing judicial
the administration of justice. Of particular concern is
reform aimed at ensuring independence and transpar-
the administration of juvenile justice, child labour and
ency of the judiciary, access to justice and the eradication
trafficking. The country’s communities of indigenous
of impunity. The advisor will work on integrating a
peoples and Afro-descendants are among those most
rights-based approach into the Ecuadorian long-term
affected by poverty. The inadequacy of public services,
development strategy, and provide advice to the UN
including education, health and justice, in the areas
Country Team on mainstreaming human rights into its
inhabited by these communities is particularly high
CCA-UNDAF process. The Adviser will also help ensure
compared to other areas of the country.
that the new Constitution complies with international
human rights standards.
OHCHR deployed a Human Rights Adviser to the UN
Country Team, under the “Action 2” programme, at the
end of 2007. The Adviser’s main priority will be to
Guyana
improve the integration of human rights standards and
principles into the UN Country Team’s programmes and
In May 2007, a Human Rights Adviser was deployed to
policies. The ultimate goal is to enable the UN Country
continue the work begun by another human rights
Team to provide better support to Nicaraguan author-
adviser in 2004-2005. The country is beset with general
ities and civil society for promoting and protecting
lawlessness, lack of government transparency, and
human rights.
interracial mistrust. The establishment of a Governance
Unit in the Office of the President has signalled the
Government’s interest in improving its human rights
record. Deployed within the Resident Coordinator’s
Office, the Human Rights Adviser has worked with the
UN Country Team to integrate a human rights-based
approach into the 2006-2010 UNDAF. In July 2007,
the Human Rights Adviser provided training on
strengthening national human rights protection
mechanisms to the Presidential Adviser on
Governance and non-State stakeholders. As a result, a
multi-stakeholder National Human Rights Partnership
was launched and a Human Rights Unit within the
Office of the President was being established at the time
of writing.
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VOLUNTARY FUNDS
United Nations Voluntary Fund
ADMINSTERED BY OHCHR
for Indigenous Populations
The Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations was
established in 1985 by General Assembly Resolution
Humanitarian funds
40/131 with the purpose of providing indigenous peoples
with the opportunity to raise issues of concern to them
In addition to its core human rights work, in 2008 and
in international forums, thus contributing to the devel-
2009 OHCHR will continue to service three long-
opment of international standards and national legisla-
established humanitarian trust funds: the Voluntary
tion to protect their rights. Funds contributed by donors
Fund for Victims of Torture; the Voluntary Trust Fund on
are distributed in the form of travel grants for represen-
Contemporary Forms of Slavery; and the Voluntary Fund
tatives of indigenous peoples around the world. Over the
for Indigenous Populations. Each fund was established
years, the Fund has supported 1,308 participants in
by a resolution of the General Assembly and is designed
attending these forums.
to provide financial support to individuals and NGOs
working in related human rights fields. These funds,
The Board of Trustees, composed of indigenous represen-
which are financed through voluntary contributions, are
tatives, meets annually to determine priorities, review
formally administered by the Secretary-General, acting
the work of the fund, and approve new grants. The Fund
on the advice of a Board of Trustees, with OHCHR
has recently strengthened its pre-screening and evalua-
providing the secretariat support. During 2006-2007,
tion mechanisms, improved its methods of work and
contributions to the Voluntary Fund for Victims of
considerably expanded its outreach in under-represented
Torture amounted to USD 14 million; the Voluntary Trust
regions.
Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery received just
over USD 1 million; and the Voluntary Fund for
During 2006-2007, the Board awarded 218 travel
Indigenous Populations received USD 894,000.
grants, representing USD 870,000, out of a total of
912 applications. The Board also recommended expand-
It is estimated that the combined requirements for
ing the mandate of the Fund to include financial support
these three funds during the 2008-2009 biennium will
for human rights projects and travel grants to support
be USD 26 million.
indigenous peoples’ participation in the meetings of
human rights treaty bodies.
United Nations Voluntary Fund
Estimated requirements for the 2008-2009 biennium:
for Victims of Torture
USD 1.3 million.
The Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, established in
1981 by General Assembly Resolution 36/151, gives grants
to organizations that help alleviate the physical and psy-
United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund
chological effects of torture on victims and their families.
on Contemporary Forms of Slavery
The types of assistance provided by organizations
The United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on
supported by the Fund range from psychological, medical,
Contemporary Forms of Slavery, which was established
and social assistance to legal aid and financial support.
by the General Assembly in 1991, provides small grants
for grassroots projects that provide humanitarian, legal,
The Fund’s Board of Trustees meets twice a year to deter-
and financial aid to victims of contemporary forms of
mine priorities, review the workings of the Fund, and
slavery. Projects supported by the Fund cover a variety
award grants. With OHCHR’s secretariat support, in
of issues, including trafficking for the purpose of sexual
2006-2007 the Fund disbursed over USD 14 million in
exploitation, domestic servitude, bonded labour and
grants to some 170 projects to assists victims of torture.
child labour. Projects targeting child victims of slavery
Grants for psychological and medical assistance are the
or bonded labourers often aim to provide victims with
most common, but often recipient organizations use a
assistance in returning to school or with non-formal and
holistic approach in which more than one form of assist-
vocational training. Other projects aim to establish
ance is provided to victims. This approach has proven
welcome centres for victims of trafficking that provide
effective in helping victims cope with the after-effects of
comprehensive assistance, including housing, food, legal
trauma, find reparation and reintegrate into society.
aid, psycho-social support, and medical care. Most
projects also include an awareness-raising component
Estimated requirements for grants awarded during the
that targets the general public. Since 1997, the Fund has
2008-2009 biennium: USD 24 million.
supported 220 projects.
The Fund is administered by the Secretary-General on
the advice of a Board of Trustees, which is composed of
five human rights experts with particular expertise in
contemporary forms of slavery.
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
101

PART 2
During 2006-2007, the Board awarded 80 grants, repre-
“to facilitate the participation of developing countries,
senting USD 860,000, out of a total of 218 applications.
particularly the least developed countries, in the said
These grants provided assistance to victims of
mechanism”. The Human Rights Council followed up on
contemporary forms of slavery in 31 countries.
that issue and formally asked the Secretary-General to
establish such a fund in its Resolution 6/17.
At the request of the Board of Trustees, a review of the Fund
was carried out in 2006 by the Office of Internal Oversight
Resolution 6/17 also asks the Secretary-General to estab-
Services (OIOS). OIOS’ overall assessment was that the Fund,
lish “a new financial mechanism called The Voluntary
with its unique characteristics such as outreach to small,
Fund for Financial and Technical Assistance”, to be
grassroots organizations, has had a positive impact on
administered jointly with the trust fund mentioned
victims of contemporary forms of slavery. OIOS’ June 2007
above. In conjunction with multilateral funding mecha-
report also contained recommendations to improve the
nisms, these funds will provide financial and technical
efficiency and effectiveness of the Funds’ activities.
assistance to countries that request support in
implementing the recommendations contained in the
Following these recommendations, new methods of work
Universal Periodic Review.
and guidelines were initiated to improve its pre-screening
and monitoring framework. The Fund also expanded its
In addition, Resolution 6/17 urges all Member States,
outreach in under-represented regions and strengthened its
observers and other stakeholders of the Council to
communications and information management system.
support the operationalization of the funds and asks
OHCHR to take the necessary measures with a view to
Estimated requirements for the 2008-2009 biennium:
expeditiously operationalizing the mechanisms.
USD 1.6 million.
At the time of writing, the requirements and funding
mechanisms for these trust funds were under discussion.
Other voluntary funds
Optional Protocol to the UN Convention
against Torture Special Fund
On 22 June 2006, the Optional Protocol to the UN
Convention against Torture (OPCAT), which had been
CROSS-CUTTING SUPPORT
adopted by the UN General Assembly four years earlier,
entered into force. At the time of writing, 34 States had
ratified the OPCAT.
Rapid response to emerging
human rights crises
The OPCAT creates a two-pillar system, at the interna-
tional and national levels, to prevent torture and other
OHCHR established a rapid-response capacity to antici-
forms of ill-treatment in all places of detention, and
pate and respond promptly to deteriorating human
establishes the Sub-Committee on the Prevention of
rights situations, ensure human rights considerations in
Torture of the Committee against Torture. The Sub-
inter-agency responses to humanitarian crises, provide
Committee will initially consist of ten independent,
support to fact-finding missions and commissions of
multi-disciplinary experts who will conduct regular
inquiry investigating serious human rights abuses, and
visits to places of detention in all States Parties.
provide support to UN peacekeeping missions. The Rapid
Response and Peace Missions Support Unit, established
The OPCAT also provides for the creation of a Special
in 2006, has achieved significant results, particularly by
Fund to help finance the implementation of the
supporting, participating in and leading several field
recommendations made by the Sub-Committee after
missions. As part of its support to peace missions,
a visit to a State party, and to support education
OHCHR has developed training materials, especially on
programmes in national preventive mechanisms.
field deployment and field investigations, for use by
The Special Fund may be financed through voluntary
OHCHR staff and the personnel of UN peacekeeping
contributions made by governments, intergovernmental
missions.
and non-governmental organizations and other private
or public entities. OHCHR has been entrusted to manage
The Office rapidly deploys well-equipped and logistically
the Fund.
supported trained personnel to conduct fact-finding mis-
sions or investigations in response to a mandate given to
Funds set up to assist the Universal
OHCHR by UN legislative bodies or special procedures;
Periodic Review (UPR)
under the mandate of the High Commissioner; as part of
Human Rights Council Resolution 5/1, which sets the
an inter-agency effort to respond to emergencies; or in
modalities of the Universal Periodic Review mechanism,
response to requests from UN Country Teams or peace
envisages the establishment of a voluntary trust fund
missions.
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Depending on the mandate and context, rapid response
OHCHR will apply results-based management principles
activities may involve public or confidential reporting,
in each of the Office’s work units and in managing
direct contact with national authorities, provision of
Office-wide results, including the monitoring of progress
advisory services and support to national capacities,
towards its expected accomplishments. Indicators have
and/or direct forms of protection to victims and their
been defined to monitor the common set of expected
families, including disseminating information gathered
accomplishments at the national, regional and global
among national or international justice mechanisms.
levels. OHCHR will ensure that streamlined processes are
Activities have ranged from forensic assessment
in place for monitoring these indicators at the beginning of
missions to technical assessments prior to deploying
the SMP implementation period (early 2008). This includes
a peacekeeping operation to the establishment of
the establishment of standards and criteria for their appli-
commissions of inquiry.
cation, baseline data, and targets for the biennium.
Given the extreme sensitivity of rapid response activi-
The strategic plans developed by Headquarters and field
ties, the highest standards of professional response must
offices provide the basis for allocation of human and
be rigorously upheld. OHCHR strives to meet this chal-
financial resources. Chiefs of branches and heads of field
lenge by continuing efforts at preparedness, strengthen-
offices, with the assistance of their teams, will closely
ing the internal roster system, developing a roster of
monitor the status of their respective performance
external experts, enhancing planning and logistical
indicators and take corrective action, as required.
capacity and regularly revising methodology and train-
Strategic plans will be periodically examined against
ing. A rapid response contingency fund was established
their objectives and progress will be reported to senior
in 2006 to ensure a ready source of funds for the swift
management. Periodic reporting, including the High
deployment of personnel and accompanying logistical
Commissioner’s public annual report, will remain the
support to respond to emerging human rights crises. The
primary mechanism for reviewing organizational
fund stands at USD 1 million.
performance, progress achieved in relation to the planned
results, and organizational targets and standards.
In 2006 and 2007, OHCHR conducted 16 rapid-response
activities, including the establishment of the
Geographic units provide oversight and support to field
Commission of Inquiry for Timor-Leste, the Lebanon
offices in the application of results-based management.
Commission of Inquiry, technical-assessment missions to
The Policy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Section
the Central African Republic, Chad, Somalia, Sierra Leone
(PPMES) provides the Office with guidance and learning
and DRC, and support to the mission of the Special
resources for results-based management, based on ex-
Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in
perience and lessons learned, including from the field, so
Myanmar in November 2007.
as to help all work unit managers be fully accountable.
Based on the experience of the past biennium, it is
The planned results of Headquarters branches will
expected that OHCHR’s rapid response capability will
contribute, directly or indirectly, to the strengthening of
be increasingly solicited. In response, the Office will
capacities of field offices.
continue to develop its capacity to assess, anticipate and
respond to deteriorating human rights situations and
Geographic units support improvements in country
emergencies as a matter of priority.
reporting and prepare reports for their regions,
incorporating aggregated data on indicators linked to
the relevant expected accomplishments in the SMP.
Results-based and knowledge
management
Analysis of the work units’ annual reports will serve to
identify under-performing or marginal activities and
Building on the vision outlined in the Plan of Action and
shift resources to high-priority areas. As part of the
the initial attempt, made in the SMP for 2006-2007, to
feedback system, evaluations and audits will help identify
identify results and indicators to measure progress in
good management practices, and those needing
key areas of work, further efforts are being made to build
improvement, at different levels.
a culture of results across OHCHR in order to use available
resources as efficiently and effectively as possible.
In addition, attention will be given to strengthening the
systems, structures, infrastructure and practices for the
The Office has defined a common set of expected accom-
generation and use of knowledge. Chiefs of branches,
plishments for the 2008-2009 biennium on the basis of
geographic units, and field offices will continue to iden-
which all branches and field presences have developed
tify lessons and good practices, and will ensure that they
their own expected accomplishments and outputs.
are appropriately recorded, including in annual reports.
This provides a solid framenwork for a comprehensive,
Headquarters may initiate more extensive case studies
Office-wide implementation of the common vision in
in order to document good practices across countries and
the biennium and beyond.
generate lessons and knowledge of wider relevance.
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
103

PART 2
Thematic evaluations that compare experiences from
EXCELLENCE IN MANAGEMENT
several countries will be carried out on issues that have
Office-wide relevance. The strategic value of the evalu-
ation function will be strengthened by focusing on a few,
Strengthening the capacity of OHCHR’s management
high-quality evaluations with an emphasis on analysing
and administration to improve efficiency and effective-
effectiveness and results, improving quality standards
ness was a priority in the Strategic Management
for evaluations, and ensuring that evaluation findings
Plan for 2006-2007. Additional resources were provided
and recommendations are acted upon. The Office will
to establish the Programme Support and Management
design, validate and document case studies and evalu-
Services branch (PSMS) to take charge of sections
ations in support of major and/or global evaluations. An
dealing with finance and budget, human resources
adequate monitoring and evaluation framework for all
management, information management and technology,
2010-2011 strategic plans will be developed.
and general field and administrative support services.
By early 2007, most of the new staff had been recruited,
Strengthening the organizational capacity to monitor
and the development or standardization of procedures
and evaluate will require a systematic approach
began. Closer links were established with the field
consisting of:
presences to improve coordination and ensure
appropriate and timely provision of needed support
• Training in results-based management, especially
from Headquarters.
monitoring and evaluation aspects, for branch and
field office focal points for programme management
OHCHR’s basic objective in management and adminis-
(75 per cent of relevant staff by mid-2009), in order to
tration in the 2008-2009 biennium is to ensure that
ensure that monitoring and evaluation skills and tools
branches and field presences have the necessary
are integrated into the programme functions of
support to enable them to meet the Office’s strategic
OHCHR by the end of 2009, thus maximizing efficiency
objectives. This is best achieved through clear procedures
while strengthening management accountability.
and policies that enable timely response to new
operational requirements. Toward this end, OHCHR was,
• Providing branches and field offices with access to
at the time of writing, developing an administrative
key guidance and external resources by the end of
handbook covering all administrative and technical
2008, including technical guidance tools for drafting
support activities, which will be particularly useful for
terms of reference for evaluations, and establishing a
the field presences. At the same time, contacts with
roster of evaluation consultants.
the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and
the new Department of Field Support were being
A series of targeted external evaluations and internal
strengthened to improve coordination and cooperation
reviews will be managed to cover SMP strategies,
and make the best use of UN resources in the field,
through programmatic and thematic or cross-cutting
particularly during emergencies.
evaluations, as well as key operational processes,
through internal review, as necessary.
Another major objective is to improve the geographic
diversity of OHCHR’s staff. Although the strict recruit-
OHCHR’s internal knowledge management system will
ment rules of the UN Secretariat are followed, the Office
be developed to enable efficient access to and retrieval of
has already undertaken several initiatives, such as
the results of evaluations and lessons learned, both by
specific outreach to attract candidates, particularly
OHCHR and from other organizations. The Office will
from less or under-represented developing countries.
learn from other organizations’ knowledge generation
In addition, the High Commissioner has committed
activities, management and networking in order to
the Office to prioritizing the consideration of candidates
strengthen its own approaches. OHCHR will also
from under-represented regions for new OHCHR
periodically review its overall policy and practice of
recruitments.
disseminating and using, both internally and externally,
new knowledge, lessons learned and recommended
In order to achieve its objectives and ensure adequate
practices.
support to the Office, OHCHR has created within PSMS a
structure composed of a Finance and Budget Section, a
Finally, the Office will participate in the planning and
Human Resources Management Section, an Information
implementation of joint thematic evaluations with
Management and Technology Section and a General
the United Nations and other partners, in line with
Administrative Services Section.
UN Evaluation Group norms and standards, and will
contribute to the UN Evaluation Group.
With regard to financial matters, while the Office relies
on the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) for the
formal maintenance of accounts and related global finan-
cial services, OHCHR monitors the use of all resources and
allocates voluntary contributions in accordance with the
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OHCHR’S PROGRAMME OF WORK
approved cost plans. Matching resources with require-
ity of programme managers and to improve financial
ments can be challenging, particularly during periods
controls in the field. A similar delegation of authority in
when no fresh contributions are received. For this reason,
human resources management is under consideration by
a Financial Monitoring Committee was established to
the UN Department of Management, and it is hoped that
review allocations of funds on an ongoing basis.
receipt of this authority, relating to administration of
entitlements and appointments of temporary staff and
With regard to human resources, OHCHR handles the
consultants, will be forthcoming in 2008. This will
first-level administration of contracts and the recruitment
greatly assist the Office in meeting staffing require-
and assignment of temporary staff and consultants in
ments and adapting to situations as they develop. For
Geneva and in the field. As with financial matters, the
all support functions, the adoption by the United Nations
Office relies on UNOG for overall human resources and
Secretariat of a new “Enterprise Resource Planning”
international staff management. Local support staff are
infrastructure during the 2008-2009 biennium should
contracted and administered in the field, after clearance
lead to enormous improvements in the administration
from Headquarters, by local UN administrative agents,
and management of resources, from recruitment of staff
generally UNDP, on behalf of OHCHR. A newly established
to logistics and supply in the field.
Staff Development and Training Unit will oversee
induction and training opportunities for all OHCHR staff.
In addition, with regard to general administrative
services – logistics, procurement, and travel services –
the greatest challenges lie in ensuring that requirements
of the field presences are met and that a cost-effective
and consistent level of support is in place to enable those
offices to be fully functional.
Information technology plays an essential role in
management: while most of the essential systems are
common to the United Nations Secretariat, the unique
needs of the Office, for example in terms of management
of grants under humanitarian trust funds, and monitoring
extra-budgetary resources from contribution to expendi-
ture, must be met through the development of systems
specific to OHCHR.
While the recently received delegation of financial
authority should improve efficiency in administration of
extra-budgetary resources, additional systems are being
developed to enhance the financial monitoring capabil-
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
105

PART 3
BUDGET AND FUNDING
REQUIREMENTS
OHCHR depends on funding from the United Nations’
United Nations regular budget
regular budget and a steady flow of voluntary
contributions from UN Member States and other donors
The UN regular budget is funded from dues payable by all
to meet its funding needs. Although the Office’s share
Member States under the Charter of the United Nations,
of the regular budget has grown in recent years, the
with the level of each Member State’s contribution based
amount OHCHR receives still covers little more than
on a number of factors, including its share of the world
one third of its overall resource requirements. Of the
economy. Every two years, the Secretary-General proposes
approximately USD 248 million in projected expenditure
a biennial budget for the entire Organization to the
in 2006-2007, for example, just above USD 83 million,
General Assembly for review and approval. In addition to
or 33.5 per cent, was funded from the regular budget,
its programme budget (Section 23), OHCHR receives a
with the remaining USD 165 million, or 66.5 per cent,
small share of the total United Nations budget under the
funded from voluntary contributions.
Regular Programme of Technical Cooperation (Section 22).
The importance of voluntary contributions is unlikely to
Of the USD 115.3 million OHCHR expects to receive in
diminish significantly in the coming years as OHCHR’s
funding under the regular budget, USD 112.2 million will
growth continues to outpace the funds made available
be provided under the programmatic budget for human
under the regular budget. Total resource requirements for
rights and USD 3.1 under the Regular Programme for
2008-2009 have been set at USD 312.7 million, an increase
Technical Cooperation.
of approximately USD 67.1 million over the 2006-2007
budget. With regular budget funding expected to provide
some USD 115.3 million in 2008-2009, the Office will rely
Voluntary contributions
on its donors to provide the remaining USD 197.4 million
needed to implement its programme of work in full.
Voluntary contributions are provided by donors to OHCHR
to support implementation of the Office’s programme of
activities. While the bulk of these contributions is provided
OHCHR FUNDING OVERVIEW
by UN Member States, OHCHR also accepts contributions
per biennium over 2000-2009
from intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, foundations,
million USD
companies and private individuals. Despite recent increases
350
in its share of the United Nations regular budget, the Office
remains heavily reliant on voluntary contributions to pay
300
for much of its work. With a few notable exceptions, the
regular budget has traditionally provided very little support
250
for fieldwork, for example, which means that the cost of
200
establishing and maintaining OHCHR’s network of field
presences is covered mainly by voluntary contributions.
150
Across the Office, voluntary contributions are used to pay
100
for activities that could not otherwise be afforded or to
supplement resources available under the regular budget.
50
In recent years, OHCHR has appealed to donors not only
0
2000-2001
2002-2003
2004-2005
2006-2007
2008-2009
(projected)
(projected)
to increase the level of their voluntary contributions, but,
to the extent possible, to make more funding available
Regular budget appropriation

Voluntary contributions
on an unearmarked basis. Unearmarked funding gives
the Office greater flexibility in planning and setting pri-
orities, and ensures that activities can be recalibrated as
conditions change and new needs emerge. A high level
of unearmarked funding also reinforces OHCHR’s
political independence, ensuring that programmes are
developed and implemented according to a framework
established by the High Commissioner.
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BUDGET AND FUNDING REQUIREMENTS
These results reflect a number of positive external factors
OHCHR’S TRUST FUNDS
and real efforts made by OHCHR’s leadership to address
internal weaknesses and build donor confidence. Perhaps
Voluntary contributions to support OHCHR’s activities at
the single most important, if little noticed, external factor
Headquarters and in the field are channelled and managed
has been the steady weakening of the US dollar against
through two major funds: the Trust Fund for the Support of the
other currencies, including those of most of OHCHR’s major
Activities of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, used as a
donors. This has effectively increased the value, in dollars,
general funding pool to support a wide range of activities, and
of almost all contributions made in other currencies, help-
the Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in the field of
ing to push up total contributions every year since 2002.
Human Rights, which is used to fund activities in the field of
Had the dollar held its value as at 1 January 2002, for exam-
technical cooperation with Member States, including capacity-
ple, contributions received in 2006 would have been worth
building projects. Another trust fund covers human rights
USD 66 million, compared with the USD 85.3 million
education activities in Cambodia.
actually recorded. The graph below shows the value of
contributions actually received in each of the past six years,
OHCHR also acts as the secretariat for three grant-making
compared with the value of those same contributions
funds, known as the Humanitarian Funds, which provide
had exchange rates remained at January 2002 levels.
funding to civil society organizations and, in some cases,
individuals. These funds, established by General Assembly
resolution and hosted by OHCHR, are the Voluntary Fund for
Impact of USD exchange rate changes on value of contributions
Indigenous Populations, the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund
USD
on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, and the United Nations
120'000'000
Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture. In addition, OHCHR
manages a small fund for the prevention of torture in places of
100'000'000
detention (stemming from the Optional Protocol to the
Convention against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman
80'000'000
and Degrading Treatment) and was, at the time of writing,
about to set up two funds to assist the Universal Periodic Review
60'000'000
process. Information on these funds is provided in the chapter
on voluntary funds in Part 2.
40'000'000
20'000'000
Recent trends in support
0
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
In the past five years voluntary contributions have more
(projected)
than doubled, rising from USD 46 million in 2003 to a
Adjusted total

Total voluntary contributions recorded
(based on USD exchange rate as of January 2002)
projected figure of more than $95 million in 2007. Over
the same period, the proportion of unearmarked funding
has risen steadily from 7 per cent to a projected figure
Other external factors that have had a positive effect
of 43 per cent.
include a reinforced international commitment to the
United Nations human rights programme, reflected in
the outcome of the 2005 World Summit, at which leaders
expressed support for a significant expansion of OHCHR.
Earmarked versus unearmarked funding 2002-2007
Robust economic growth, and corresponding increases in
development cooperation, have also played a part, as has
100%
cross-party political consensus in many donor countries
90%
in favour of strong support for UN institutions.
80%
70%
Just as significantly, OHCHR has taken important steps
60%
to reform itself, addressing a number of perceived inter-
50%
nal weaknesses and setting out ambitious plans that
40%
have elicited strong interest among the donor communi-
30%
ty. Increased donor confidence in the Office has translated
20%
into an increased willingness to provide a greater
10%
proportion of funding free of earmarking. The deliberate
0%
effort to reorient OHCHR as a more operational organiza-
2002
2003
2004
tion, working to strengthen human rights capacity at a
2005
2006
2007
national level and monitor and report publicly on human
(projected)
rights problems in the field, has added to its appeal.
Earmarked Unearmarked
The emphasis on fieldwork and implementation is a
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
109

PART 3
welcome counterpoint to the Office’s traditional, if
2007-2008 Resource requirements
exaggerated, image as a Geneva-based, UN think tank,
concerned mainly with servicing international meetings
OHCHR’s budget is the product of intensive internal
and setting international legal norms.
consultation and review. Programme plans are developed
with an eye on what is practical and affordable in the
current fund-raising environment.
Challenges
At USD 312.7 million, the 2008-2009 budget represents
OHCHR faces two main fund-raising challenges over the
an increase of 27.3 per cent over the budget presented in
coming years. The first is to sustain growth in the overall
the High Commissioner’s 2006-2007 Strategic
level of voluntary contributions, including unearmarked
Management Plan, and an increase of 26.1 per cent com-
contributions, at a time when most donors with the
pared with projected expenditure in 2006-2007. Of the
capacity to provide large-scale support are already
USD 67.1 million overall increase in the budget, approxi-
doing so, and any potential new donors are likely to
mately USD 29.7 million will come from growth in the
contribute at very modest levels. Exchange rate gains,
regular budget, while USD 37.3 million is expected to
which helped power a significant proportion of funding
come from an increase in voluntary contributions. For
growth over the past five years, are unlikely to exert the
2008-2009, an overall target of USD 197.4 million was set
same forward pull in the 2008-2009 biennium, and
for extra-budgetary spending, based on the approximate
could even have a reverse effect if the US currency, now
level of voluntary contributions the Office believes
at a historically low level, begins to recover in value.
donors will be willing to provide. Any additional
expenditure over this amount will be approved only
The second major challenge is to broaden OHCHR’s funding
where equivalent additional resources are identified.
base. The number of donors has remained fairly static and
relatively low for several years now: between 55 and 63
On the extra-budgetary side, approximately 60 per cent of
Member States, plus one or two UN partners, the European
all planned expenditure will be devoted to OHCHR’s field
Commission and a handful of private donors. While it may
operations, 8.3 per cent to thematic human rights research,
be unrealistic, given economic realities, to expect a signifi-
4.4 per cent to supporting the Human Rights Council and
cant change in the high proportion of funding coming from
treaty bodies and 3.9 percent to supporting the work of
Western countries, the Office is committed to securing the
the special procedures. The balance in the share of extra-
support of a larger number of Member States in order to
budgetary expenditure between these substantive areas
demonstrate broad international support for its work.
remains largely unchanged compared with 2006-2007.
Overcoming these challenges and delivering further
growth in funding over the next three to four years will
require a concerted effort involving all parts of the Office.
In the coming years, OHCHR will solicit the support of a
larger number of Member States and, to the extent
possible, non-government donors, while also servicing
the needs of a growing donor base.
WIDENING SUPPORT FOR OHCHR IN
THE SIXTIETH YEAR OF THE UNIVERSAL
DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Sixty years after the world came together to proclaim the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, OHCHR is appealing to all Member
States to express their commitment to human rights by making a
financial contribution in support of the Office's ongoing efforts to
give practical effect to the ideals set out in the Declaration. During
the course of 2008, all 192 Member States will be asked to make
a voluntary contribution, commensurate with their means. It is
hoped the anniversary will prompt many countries that have not
previously provided funding to do so for the first time, thereby
demonstrating strong, worldwide support for the United Nations
human rights programme. Member States’ contributions will be
publically reported through the website, in OHCHR’s 2008 annual
report and in other relevant public information materials.
110
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BUDGET AND FUNDING REQUIREMENTS
STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
Combined regular and extrabudgetary requirements
(in thousands of USD)
Extrabudgetary
Regular Budget 1, 2
requirements
Total
I.
OPERATING RESOURCES
Executive Direction and Management
13,323.0
9,591.4
22,914.4
Policy-making Organs
9,207.7
0.0
9,207.7
Programme of Work
Subprogramme 1:
Research and Right to Development Division
18,544.5
16,548.0
35,092.5
Subprogramme 2:
Human Rights Treaties Division
17,820.6
8,585.7
26,406.3
Subprogramme 3:
Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division
21,817.7
17,793.2
39,610.9
Subprogramme 4:
Special Procedures Division
12,351.6
7,655.9
20,007.5
Total Programme of Work – Headquarters
70,534.4
50,582.7
121,117.1
Programme Support and Management Services
10,737.9
12,549.8
23,287.7
Subtotal Headquarters operating resources,
excluding humanitarian trust funds
103,803.0
72,724.0
176,527.0
Subtotal, operating resources, field presences
11,460.0
100,572.9
112,032.9
Total operating resources
115,263.0
173,296.9
288,559.9
II. HUMANITARIAN TRUST FUNDS
Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture
21,170.6
21,170.6
Voluntary Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery
1,635.0
1,635.0
Voluntary Fund for Indigenous populations
1,300.0
1,300.0
Total humanitarian trust funds
24,105.6
24,105.6
III. GRAND TOTAL
115,263.0
197,402.4
312,665.4
1
Excludes Commission on Missing Persons in Cyprus (USD 661,200 in 2008-2009).
2
Includes RB requirements for Panama, West Africa, Cambodia and Central Africa offices).
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
111

PART 3
EXTRABUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS 2008-2009
Programmes
Requirements (in USD)
I.
OPERATING RESOURCES
HEADQUARTERS
EDM New York and Geneva
9,591,405
Programme of Work
Subprogramme 1:
Human Rights mainstreaming, Research and Right to Development
Equality and Non-discrimination
5,638,589
Anti-discrimination
1,416,054
Indigenous Populations and Minorities
1,854,261
Women’s HR and Gender Unit
1,278,569
Trafficking
514,090
Disabilities
575,616
Rule of Law and Democracy
2,235,500
Development, Economic, Social and Cultural Issues
3,015,800
MDGs and HR-based Approach
674,495
HIV and AIDS
599,829
Economic and Social Issues
618,361
Human Rights and Development
1,123,115
Methodology, Education and Training
4,163,450
Coordination and Management
1,494,671
Total Subprogramme 1
16,548,009
Subprogramme 2:
Supporting Human Rights Bodies and Organs
Human Rights Treaties Branch
7,991,614
Human Rights Council Branch
594,045
Total Subprogramme 2
8,585,659
Subprogramme 3:
Advisory Services, Technical Cooperation and Field Operations
National Institutions
1,909,039
RRPMSU
3,347,210
Africa
2,900,353
Asia and the Pacific
3,063,754
Latin America and the Caribbean
1,275,666
Europe, North America and Central Asia
2,397,803
Middle East and North Africa
1,884,929
Coordination and Management
1,014,435
Total Subprogramme 3
17,793,190
Subprogramme 4:
Support for Human Rights Thematic Fact-Finding Procedures
7,655,886
Total Programme of Work
50,582,745
Support to the Programmes
12,549,805
Total Headquarters
72,723,955
FIELD PRESENCES1
Africa
29,063,578
Asia and the Pacific
27,131,950
Latin America and the Caribbean
31,862,664
Europe, North America and Central Asia
5,013,563
Middle East and North Africa
7,501,174
Total field presences
100,572,930
Total Headquarters and field operating resources
173,296,885
II. HUMANITARIAN TRUST FUNDS
Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture
21,170,550
Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations
1,300,000
Voluntary Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery
1,635,000
Total humanitarian trust funds
24,105,550
III. GRAND TOTAL OHCHR
197,402,435
1
See detailed requirements in separate table on page 113.
112
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BUDGET AND FUNDING REQUIREMENTS
FIELD PRESENCES EXTRABUDGETARY REQUIREMENTS FOR 2008-2009
Programmes
Requirements (in USD)
DETAIL FIELD PRESENCES
AFRICA
Angola – Country Office
7,225,595
Burundi – Peace Mission Support
2,712,772
Central Africa – Subregional Centre
788,658
Côte d’Ivoire – Peace Mission Support
331,723
DRC – Peace Mission Support
1,091,938
East Africa – Regional Office
1,939,106
Eritrea/Ethiopia – Peace Mission Support
199,892
Great Lakes – Human Rights Adviser
413,826
Guinea – Human Rights Adviser
761,304
Liberia – Peace Mission Support
136,870
Sierra Leone – Peace Mission Support
825,377
Somalia – Peace Mission Support
320,690
Southern Africa – Regional Office
1,322,349
Sudan – Peace Mission Support
1,817,341
Togo – Country Office
2,190,948
Uganda – Country Office
6,754,697
West Africa – Regional Office
230,492
Sub-total Africa
29,063,578
ASIA PACIFIC
Afghanistan – Peace Mission Support
1,480,420
Cambodia – Country Office
842,827
Nepal – Country Office
18,628,891
Indonesia – Human Rights Adviser
358,743
"One UN" Pilot – Human Rights Adviser
547,259
Southeast Asia – Regional Office
1,660,383
Sri Lanka – Human Rights Adviser
869,280
Pacific – Regional Office
1,425,839
Timor-Leste – Peace Mission Support
1,318,309
Sub-total Asia and the Pacific
27,131,950
MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
Middle East – Regional Office
2,773,355
OPT – Stand-Alone Office
3,721,977
South-West Asia Centre
1,005,842
Sub-total Middle East and North Africa
7,501,174
EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA AND CENTRAL ASIA
Central Asia – Regional Office
612,426
Georgia – Peace Mission Support
1,375,639
Kosovo – Stand-Alone Office
1,674,967
Russian Federation – Human Rights Adviser
1,350,531
Sub-total Europe, North America and Central Asia
5,013,563
LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
Bolivia – Country Office
1,762,202
Colombia – Country Office
16,595,479
Ecuador – Human Rights Adviser
615,156
Guatemala – Country Office
8,244,853
Guyana – Human Rights Adviser
203,440
Haiti – Peace Mission Support
452,644
Latin America (Chile) – Regional Office
695,889
Mexico – Country Office
3,293,001
Sub-total Latin America and the Caribbean
31,862,664
TOTAL FIELD PRESENCES
100,572,930
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
113

PART 3
ANNEXES
STRUCTURE OF THE OFFICE
points for OHCHR offices in the field. In addition, the
OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER
Division has two support units with expertise on national
FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
human rights institutions and rapid response and support
to human rights components in UN peace missions.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
OHCHR field presences are accountable to the High
(OHCHR) is headed by the High Commissioner for
Commissioner through the Chief of the Field Operations
Human Rights. Louise Arbour was appointed High
and Technical Cooperation Division. Field presences take
Commissioner in July 2004; Kyung-wha Kang joined her
the form of regional offices, country offices, support for
as Deputy High Commissioner in January 2007.
peace missions, or the assignment of human rights
advisers to United Nations Country Teams. Each presence
OHCHR is based in Geneva and has an office in New York,
is responsible for a different set of activities tailored to
as well as other country and regional offices.
the immediate situation and drawing on the full range
Headquarters contains four substantive divisions: the
of tools available to OHCHR.
Human Rights Council and Treaties Division; the Special
Procedures Division; the Research and Right to
The Research and Right to Development Division builds
Development Division; and the Field Operations and
and helps apply expertise in selected cross-cutting
Technical Cooperation Division, in addition to the
themes of particular importance to the UN human rights
Executive Office of the High Commissioner and a number
programme, such as equality and non-discrimination,
of sections that report to the Deputy High Commissioner.
including programmes for groups and issues deserving
special attention (victims of racial discrimination,
The Executive Direction and Management includes
minorities and indigenous peoples, women's rights and
several working units. The Executive Office supports the
gender issues, disability and trafficking, and protection
High Commissioner and the Deputy High Commissioner
of people affected by HIV/AIDS); the right to development
in leading and managing OHCHR. The Policy, Planning,
and economic, social, and cultural rights; the rule of law
Monitoring, and Evaluation Section works with all staff to
and democracy; rights-based approaches to development,
ensure that the strategic vision of OHCHR is translated
including the Millennium Development Goals and poverty
into concrete priorities and operational plans, and
reduction; and humanitarian and peace and security
that effective monitoring and evaluation of impact is
activities. The Division also manages the OHCHR
conducted. The Communications Section develops and
Documentation Centre and publications programme.
implements strategies to improve general knowledge
of human rights and create support for the work of the
The Special Procedures Division provides support to
United Nations and OHCHR in the area of human rights.
the thematic special procedures of the Human Rights
The newly created Civil Society Unit will strengthen and
Council, such as the special rapporteurs, special repre-
rationalize OHCHR’s interaction with civil society actors
sentatives, independent experts and working groups.
worldwide and support their engagement with UN
The Division facilitates the work of special procedures
human rights bodies and mechanisms. The Field Safety
mandate-holders by collaborating with all stakeholders
and Security Section is responsible, in coordination with
and by providing thematic, fact-finding, and legal
the United Nations Department of Safety and Security,
expertise, research and analysis, and administrative
for ensuring the security of OHCHR premises and staff in
and logistical support for their work.
all field presences, and for staff and special rapporteurs
travelling on official mission. The Donor and External
The Human Rights Council and Treaties Division
Relations Section works to ensure that Member States are
ensures the smooth functioning of the Human Rights
kept fully informed of the Offices’s plans, priorities and
Council and eight treaty bodies that monitor implemen-
funding needs, and mobilize the necessary resources to
tation of the core human rights instruments. It also sup-
support implementation of OHCHR’s programmes.
ports activities carried out through the Voluntary Fund
for Victims of Torture and the Fund relating to the
The Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division
Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture. In
coordinates the development and implementation of
addition, the Division coordinates all official documenta-
OHCHR country engagement strategies. Five geographic
tion prepared by OHCHR for use by intergovernmental
teams ensure country expertise and, among other
bodies and, in close cooperation with UNICEF and WHO,
things, manage the technical cooperation programme,
provides substantive and administrative support to the
support country special procedures, and serve as entry
Secretary-General’s Study on Violence against Children.
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HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009

ANNEXES
The Programme Support and Management Services
The New York Office ensures that human rights issues
provide support in the areas of budgeting and financial
are fully integrated into the United Nations’ agenda
management; personnel recruitment and human
for development and security. The office provides
resources; procurement, asset management, and general
substantive support on human rights issues to the
logistical support to field activities; information
General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, the
technology; and staff development and training.
Security Council, and other intergovernmental bodies.
OHCHR’S ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
High Commissioner
Deputy High
Commissioner
Executive Office
New York Office
Field Operations
Research and Right to
Special Procedures
Human Rights Council
and Technical
Development Division
Division
and Treaties Division
Cooperation Division
Africa,
Development
LAC1, ENACA2,
Rule of Law,
Economic,
Asia-Pacific,
& Economic
Civil and
Human Rights
Human Rights
National
Equality & Non-
Social and
Middle East &
& Social
Political Rights
Treaties Bodies
Council
Institutions
discrimination
Cultural Rights
North Africa
Issues
Information
Field
Field
Groups
Coordination
Presences
Presences
in Focus
and
Management
Rapid
Response &
Peace Missions
Support
Programme
Policy, Planning,
Donor &
Support &
Safety &
Monitoring &
Communications
External
Civil Society
Management
Security
Evaluation
Relations
Services
1
Latin America and the Caribbean,
2
Europe, North America and Central Asia
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
115

PART 3
LIST OF ACRONYMS
ACHPR
African Commission on Human and People’s Rights
AIDS
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
AIHRC
Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission
ALRAESA
Association of Law Reform Agencies of Eastern and Southern Africa
ASEAN
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
AU
African Union
BINUB
United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi
BONUCA
United Nations Peace-building Office – Central African Republic
CAP
Consolidated Appeal Process
CAR
Central African Republic
CAT
Committee against Torture
CCA
Common Country Assessment
CEDAW
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
CERD
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
CESCR
Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
CICIG
International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala
CMW
Committee on Migrant Workers
CODESEDH
Comité para la Defensa de la Salud, la Etica Profesional y los Derechos Humanos
COI
Independent Special Commission of Inquiry for Timor-Leste
CPA
Comprehensive Peace Agreement
CPN
Communist Party of Nepal
CRC
Committee on the Rights of the Child
CRPD
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
DDPA
Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
DPA
Department of Political Affairs
DPKO
Department of Peacekeeping Operations
DRC
Democratic Republic of the Congo
ECCAS
Economic Community of Central African States
ECHA
United Nations Executive Committee for Humanitarian Affairs
ECLAC
Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
ECOSOC
Economic and Social Council
ECOWAS
Economic Community of West African States
EDPRS
Economic Development and Poverty-reduction Strategy
EHRC
Ethiopian Human Rights Commission
ESCWA
Economic and Social Commission for West Asia
EU
European Union
GA
General Assembly
GDP
Gross Domestic Product
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
HRC
Human Rights Council
HURIST
Human Rights Strengthening Programme
IASC
Inter-Agency Standing Committee
ICC
International Criminal Court
International Coordinating Committee for National Human Rights Institutions
ICCPR
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
ICERD
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
ICESCR
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
ICRMW
International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members
of their Families
IDP
Internally Displaced Person
ILO
International Labour Organization
IOM
International Organization for Migration
MDGs
Millennium Development Goals
116
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009

LIST OF ACRONYMS
MENA
Middle East and North Africa
MINUGUA
United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala
MINURCAT
United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad
MINUSTAH
United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti
MONUC
United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
NDS
National Directorate of Security
NEPAD
New Partnership for Africa’s Development
NGOs
Non-governmental organizations
NHRIs
National human rights institutions
OCHA
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
OHCHR
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
OPC
Office de la Protection du Citoyen
OPCAT
Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment
OPT
Occupied Palestinian Territories
OSCE
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
PA
Palestinian Authority
PISG
Provisional Institutions of Self-Government (Kosovo)
PROCAP
Standby Protection Capacity
SAARC
South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation
SADC
Southern African Development Community
SARPCCO
Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization
SMP
Strategic Management Plan
TICC
Treaty Body Implementation Coordination Committee
TSZ
Temporary Security Zone
UDHR
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
UFDR
Union des Forces Démocratiques pour le Rassemblement
UNAMA
United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
UNAMI
United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq
UNAMID
African Union/United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur
UNDAF
United Nations Development Assistance Framework
UNDP
United Nations Development Programme
UNECA
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
UNESCAP
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
UNFPA
United Nations Population Fund
UNHCR
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
UNHRWG
United Nations Human Rights Working Group
UNICEF
United Nations Children’s Fund
UNMEE
United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea
UNMIK
United Nations Mission in Kosovo
UNMIL
United Nations Mission in Liberia
UNMIN
United Nations Mission in Nepal
UNMIS
United Nations Mission in Sudan
UNMIT
United Nations Mission in East Timor
UNOCI
United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire
UNODC
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
UNOMIG
United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia
UNOSIL
United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone
UNOWA
United Nations Office for West Africa
UNPOS
United Nations Political Office for Somalia
UNREC
United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa
UNRWA
United Nations Relief and Works Agency
UNTOP
United Nations Tajikistan Office for Peace-building
UPR
Universal Periodic Review
WHO
World Health Organization
HIGH COMMISSIONER’S STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008-2009
117

High Commissioner’s Strategic Management Plan 2008-2009
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais des Nations
CH 1211 Geneva 10 – Switzerland
Telephone : +41.22.917 90 00
Fax : +41.22.917 90 08
www.ohchr.org