OHCHR in Bolivia

Profile

Since November 2019, in response to the deterioration of the human rights situation in the country, a technical mission has been deployed in Bolivia to monitor the human rights situation in the country with the support of the National Human Rights Adviser. The mission has been operating under the global mandate of OHCHR. OHCHR activities are inserted within the “UN program for the consolidation of peace in Bolivia” supported by the Special Envoy of the Secretary General to Bolivia and the UN System in Bolivia.

Achievements

• UN-Human Rights' monitoring activities have contributed to strengthened risk analysis and early warning to support the role of the international community on the basis of consistent information. OHCHR action to protect and promote human rights in Bolivia has contributed to preventive actions aimed at avoiding new cycles of violence and conflict. Thanks to its monitoring, interaction with authorities and public advocacy efforts, OHCHR has been able to enhance protection of people at risk of violation.
• Since the outbreak of Covid-19 in Bolivia, OHCHR has revisited its overall strategy on Bolivia to integrate issues related to the health emergency. OHCHR' monitoring in the context of Covid-19 continues informing authorities and institutions, the UNCT, international community, civil society organizations and other relevant actors, to prevent or respond to human rights violations, triggering corrective measures as appropriate and sensitizing stakeholders on the importance of placing human rights at the core of the response. In particular, OHCHR has focused on the protection of the rights of vulnerable groups during the pandemic, such as people deprived of liberty, migrants and indigenous peoples. OHCHR has also emphasised the respect of international human rights obligations by the State related to the administration of justice and the respect of fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression during Covid-19.
• OHCHR has provided technical assistance to the National Human Rights Institution (Defensoría del Pueblo), the National Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture (SEPRET), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Interior, the Congress, the General Direction of the Prison System (Ministry of Interior) and the Vice-Minister of Traditional Medicine and Interculturality (Ministry of Health) amongst others to apply a human rights based approach to their actions, including in response to Covid-19. In particular, the technical assistance provided resulted in different regulations, policies, protocols and other instruments adopted by these institutions in the context of Covid-19 to enhance the protection of human rights in this context.
• OHCHR also continues to put in place efforts to support the work of civil society organizations (CSO). OHCHR is working on strengthening their capacities to jointly monitor the human rights situation, trigger early warning analysis, resort to human rights mechanisms and identify advocacy strategies.
• OHCHR played a relevant role on monitoring human rights in the context of the October 2020 elections, implementing a preventive approach and providing electoral authorities with human rights standards and good practices.

Partners and Donors

Partners: UN personal Envoy of the Secretary General, UN agencies, Government of Bolivia, Defensoría del Pueblo (NHRI), international and national organizations.

Donors: Sweden, Germany, Peace Building Fund.

UN Human Rights Focus Areas

Thematic pillars

• Peace and security: Preventing violations and strengthening protection of human rights, including in situations of conflict and insecurity
• Accountability: Strengthening rule of law and accountability for human rights violations
• Non-discrimination: Enhancing equality and countering discrimination
• Participation: Enhancing & protecting civic space and people’s participation

Shifts

• Prevention
• Global constituency
• Civic space

Spotlight populations

• Women
• Young people
• Migrants

Last reviewed: November 2020