Inter-sessional Workshop on Developing National Plans of Action for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Asia and Pacific Region Bangkok, Thailand 5-7 July 1999

Opening statement by Mr. Justice P. N. Bhagwati,
Representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights,
Regional Adviser on International Human Rights Standards for the Asia-Pacific Region



Mr. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great honour for me to attend this inter-sessional Workshop on behalf of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The High Commissioner regrets very much that she is unable to attend in person. She personally attaches great importance to this forum and has welcomed progress achieved through previous workshops in Teheran and New Delhi. Unfortunately, the meeting of the Economic and Social Council in Geneva, where her presence is required, directly coincided so as to prevent her from coming here to Bangkok.

We are most grateful to the Government of Thailand for hosting this Workshop and for their excellent preparations. Such organization, in this beautiful and hospitable setting, is the perfect ingredients for a successful workshop.

By way of introduction, I would like to say a few words about how this workshop came about.

Six years ago, governments in this region, agencies, regional organizations and non- governmental organizations gathered together here in Bangkok in preparation for the 1993 Vienna World Conference on Human Rights. The forum articulated the aspirations and commitment of the Asian region to human rights in the Bangkok Declaration which was presented to the World Conference in Vienna

The World Conference went on to adopt, by consensus, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action which, as you know, was the result of unprecedented global participation. It presented the international community with a new framework of planning, dialogue and cooperation on human rights. It set out ways of doing this at the international, national and local levels. It made concrete recommendations aimed at further strengthening progress in the field of human rights. It gave a new impetus to worldwide efforts to implement international human rights instruments.

The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action made specific reference to national action plans. It recommended that each State consider the desirability of drawing up a national action plan identifying steps whereby that State would improve the promotion and protection of human rights. This was the first time the concept of developing national action plans for human rights was embraced by the international community.

On the eve of the new millennium, it is timely that this recommendation be fulfilled.

We are privileged to have with us today some of those who first inspired the concept of a national plan of action. Their foresight and efforts led to the inclusion of national plans of action in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. Now, six years later, governments, regional bodies, institutions and non-governmental organizations come together here in Bangkok to explore practical ways to turn the recommendations into concrete strategies for action to advance human rights.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights strongly supports the adoption by countries of national plans of action in the field of human rights. The High Commissioner sees national plans as playing a key role in translating international human rights standards to the national level.

Since 1990, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has facilitated a number of workshops for Asian and Pacific States to promote regional cooperation for the promotion and protection of human rights. As momentum grew through these forums, the participants agreed on the principles and a building block, step-by-step approach toward the establishment of regional arrangements. Four key priorities were identified and adopted by consensus at previous workshops, namely:

National plans of action for the promotion and protection of human rights and strengthening national capacities;

Human rights education;

National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights;

and Strategies for the realization of the right to development and economic, social and cultural rights

Therefore, this Workshop holds particular significance in the path towards the establishment of regional cooperation in the Asia and Pacific. We are here not only for the first inter-sessional workshop for this forum, but also to take the first step (of four) to implement the priorities and commitments set by the region.

The work done here over the next three days will be of value beyond the Asia- Pacific region. There are encouraging developments and activities in other regions which the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is involved. While national action plans will necessarily reflect the unique values, culture and traditions of the region, we have learned that there are commonalties in the development of national action plans that are relevant to all countries. We, therefore, have a great amount to learn from each other. This workshop here in Bangkok will be the first to explore strategies and components for national plans of action at a regional level. We can therefore assume your work here will be of assistance and your recommendations will carry weight in other parts of the world as well.

Likewise, in order for you to truly benefit from best practices in connection with the development of national plans of action, the experience of other regions is invaluable. The Compendium, prepared for this workshop, serves as a useful tool for provoking thought and learning lessons through the experience of those countries which have already finalized the process of developing a national plan of action. We are fortunate and grateful that these lessons will be elaborated during the presentations of the resource persons from Ecuador, Latvia and South Africa who have kindly agreed to share their experience with us today.

What do we mean by national plans of action for human rights?

In its simplest form, a national plan of action is a way of harnessing national resources - financial, human and institutional - to identify and address national needs in conformity with international human rights standards. Confucius said, "If you know not to which port you are sailing, no wind will take you there". A national plan of action is intended to provide direction and an overall framework for action in the promotion and protection of human rights. In her opening statement in February this year at the New Delhi workshop, the High Commissioner emphasized that national action plans can be the concrete reflection of a deliberate policy to promote and protect human rights as well as a useful tool to coordinate between different government departments and authorities in this area. Indeed, the national plan of action can open communication for action amongst all relevant actors in society to identify and implement strategies for effective national progression.

Over the next three days, you have the opportunity to explore and discuss as a region what is meant by a national plan of action - from the steps in developing a plan to the substantive issues to be addressed within a plan. You will be introduced to the concept and purposes of national plans of action. You will explore strategies for the development of a national plan of action. You will examine the role of civil society in this process. You will identify national priorities and mechanisms for implementation. You will tackle obstacles to the development and implementation of national plans of action in the hope of finding the way forward.

The Workshop objectives are to:

Identify the central and common purposes of national plans of action for the promotion and protection of human rights at the national and regional level;

Formulate strategies, based on lessons learned from prior practical experiences, which best serve to ensure the creation of a comprehensive, effective and sustainable action plan, including strategies for implementation and national evaluation; and

Identify key components and priorities of a national plan of action.

In order for a national plan to be meaningful, there are overriding fundamental principles integral to all discussions. A national action plan should be elaborated through broad national participation - reflecting consultations for consensus within the country. It should pay equal attention to the development process as to the contents of a plan - recognizing that how the plan came into being is as important as what it articulates. There should transparency of operation so that all actors and beneficiaries of the plan can fully participate. It should be comprehensive in scope - in terms reaching out to all areas of human rights. It should include specific undertakings to ensure continuous review, effectiveness and sustainability.

It is our strong hope that conclusions and recommendations drawn from this workshop will make a substantial contribution to the preparation of a handbook, which OHCHR will produce on developing national plans of action for the promotion and protection of human rights.


Mr. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

I am encouraged by the large presence of governments from this region and their readiness to consider the possibility of developing national human rights plans of action.

It is also heartening to have representatives of national institutions and non-governmental organizations participating in this workshop - I offer you my warm appreciation for your attendance. The work of civil society is crucial in ensuring that a national plan is comprehensive and effective. Working in partnership with government, civil society is instrumental in all stages of the process: in the development, implementation and evaluation of national plans.

The High Commissioner is particularly grateful for the participation of the resources persons for this workshop. Each of the resource persons has first hand experience in the development or implementation of a national plan of action in their country. We have much to learn from the experience that you bring to share with us here.

I would like also to express appreciation to the Governments of Indonesia, Australia and the Philippines, for having already developed and started the implementation of national human rights action plans and the Government of Thailand, which is mid-way through the process of developing such a plan, for having agreed to host this workshop.

In closing, I wish to re-emphasize the strong commitment of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to the development of national plans of action as a means of strengthening national capacities for the promotion and protection of human rights. The Office remains at the disposal of governments, on request, to assist in the development and implementation of national action plans through its technical cooperation and advisory services.

Interest in developing national human rights action plans is gaining momentum all over the world. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is involved in activities and programmes in connection with national action plans in Africa, Latin America and Europe. The recommendations and conclusions generated this week, as well as the development of a handbook on national action plans, will hopefully create synergies within this region and beyond.

On behalf of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, I wish to welcome you all to this workshop. The High Commissioner, Mary Robinson, has asked me to extend to you her best wishes for success in your endeavours this week. She looks forward with anticipation to learning of the outcome of your work here and the concrete results and practical follow up action that may result from this Bangkok Workshop on developing national human rights action plans.

Thank you.