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MESSAGE FROM THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS TO THE ANDEAN WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS ACTION PLANS
18 July 2001
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LIMA, 16-18 JULY 2001
Mr. Minister of Justice, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great honour for me to open this workshop on behalf of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The High Commissioner regrets very much that she is unable to attend in person. OHCHR attaches great importance to this forum, as an initiative that will strengthen and complement national efforts for better human rights observance.
We are most grateful to the Government of Peru for hosting this workshop and for the excellent preparation. In particular, the High Commissioner asked me to thank the Minister of Justice of Peru, Mr. Diego Garcia Sayan, for the invaluable support given to the holding of this activity. It is of particular significance that this workshop takes place here in Peru, a country that has taken a strong stand to uphold democratic principles and ensure strong respects for human rights. The High Commissioner is aware of the efforts undertaken by other governments, national institutions and non-governmental organisations in the region in the field of human rights.
OHCHR is committed to supporting such efforts and has developed a significant presence in the region. We have a field office in Colombia and technical cooperation projects in Ecuador and Bolivia. Upon the request of the Government of Peru, OHCHR has also recently participated in a UNDP study of the Peruvian justice system, which we hope will lead to a closer OHCHR-UNDP cooperation with a view to supporting the newly elected government in strengthening respect for fundamental human rights.
I am also particularly glad to see here today representatives of the Andean Commission of Jurists, with which OHCHR is implementing a technical cooperation project. Let me also take the opportunity to welcome Ms. Kim Bolduc, UN Resident Representative in Peru, and to thank her and her office for the support given to the organisation of this event and in general to OHCHR activities in the country. I would also like to take the opportunity to welcome the representatives of the new Government and to congratulate them for their recent election.
The High Commissioner strongly believes that regional strategies play a vital role in the promotion and protection of human rights and that an effective way of developing them is through the appointment of regional advisors who are based in the region themselves. OHCHR is establishing a human rights adviser within the ECLAC office in Santiago de Chile to strengthen our own capacity for action, understanding and knowledge of the Latin American and Caribbean region, and strengthening action aimed at promoting economic, social and cultural rights.
The Quito Framework of Regional Co-operation for Latin America and the Caribbean, adopted in Quito, Ecuador, in 1999 by the states of the region, calls upon the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to facilitate exchanges of experiences through meetings at the regional, sub-regional and national level. This meeting is the first of a series of activities aimed at implementing the Quito Framework. During the year 2001, OHCHR plans a sub-regional session for English-speaking Caribbean countries on ratification of human rights treaties; one sub-regional workshop for the MERCOSUR countries on the application of international human rights law by national courts; and a regional workshop on the elaboration of strategies for the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights. A regional workshop on human rights education is also being organised in co-operation with UNESCO and is scheduled to take place in Mexico next November. In November 2000, OHCHR supported the annual meeting of the Spanish American Ombudsman Federation, as well as the “Conference of the Americas”, which gathered the national institutions of Latin America and the Caribbean and Canada. Both meetings took place in Mexico City.
Mr. Minister, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights in 1993, made specific reference to national action plans. It recommended that each State consider the desirability of drawing up a national action plan which would identify stepsfor improving 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.
The importance of national plans of action for the promotion and protection of human rights was recognised by countries of this region during the Quito Workshop. In the Session’s conclusions, states adopted a Framework for Technical Co-operation, comprising five main pillars, or areas, the first one of which is focussed on National Human Rights Plans of Action.
After Vienna, the experiences of countries in the process of developing and implementing a NHRAP have demonstrated the benefits of adopting a national plan approach as a measure to improve respect for human rights. NHRPAs ensure that states are placed at the center of national efforts to implement national and international human rights obligations, generating greater understanding and building partnership and trust between states and civil society. The process of developing a NHRAP also serves as an education tool, leading to greater awareness of human rights; the elaboration of NHRAP has led to the establishment or strengthening of genuinely independent national human rights institutions; a participatory approach to the NHRAP leads to the identification of vulnerable groups; the human rights planning process can identify and link with other planning endeavours, such as national sustainable development plans, poverty reduction strategies; health and other strategies and ensure that human rights are integrated into the national planning process.
I am aware that some of the countries participating in this workshop have already adopted NHRPAs, and that others are in the process of doing so. While national action plans will necessarily reflect the unique values, culture and traditions of each state, we have learnt that there are commonalties in the development of national human rights action plans that are relevant to all countries. We therefore have a great amount to learn from each other. These three days should serve to share ideas and review national experiences, best practices and lessons learned by all participants in connection with the elaboration and implementation of NHRPAs.
Likewise, in order for you to truly benefit from best practices in connection with the development of national human rights action plans, the experience of other regions is invaluable. The Compendium that we have distributed to all participants should serve as a useful tool for provoking thought and learning lessons through the experience of those countries which have already finalised the process of developing a national plan of action. We are very fortunate and grateful that these lessons will be elaborated during the presentations by the representatives of Ecuador, Bolivia and Brazil, who have kindly agreed to share their experience with us.
Mr. Minister, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
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. A national plan of action is intended to provide direction and an overall framework for action in the promotion and protection of human rights. NHRAPs can be the concrete reflection of a deliberate policy to promote and protect human rights as well as a useful tool to co-ordinate between different government departments and authorities in this area. Indeed, the national plan of action can open communications for action amongst all relevant actors in society to identify and implement strategies for effective national progress.
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 initial step of developing a plan to the substantive issues to be addressed. 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.
The Workshop objectives are to:
Identify the central and common purposes and principles of national plans of action for the promotion and protection of human rights at the national and regional level;
Enhance knowledge of various methodologies and strategies to ensure the development or strengthening of a comprehensive, effective, participatory, and sustainable action plan, including strategies for the implementation and national evaluation of the plan;
Exchange national experiences and lessons learnt on the elaboration, development, revision and implementation of National Human Rights Action Plans.
Encourage dialogue, at the national and regional level, on the formulation and implementation of National Human Rights Action Plans and their linkages with other planning activities.
Agree on steps to be taken by participants with regard to activities at the national level related to the development and/or implementation of national human rights action plans.
Agree upon follow-up activities at the sub-regional level on human rights planning.
Facilitate the creation of an Andean Network for the exchange of information and experience on the formulation/implementation/revision/monitoring of national Human Rights Plans of Action
Mr. Minister, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
We are encouraged by the large presence of governments of the Andean region at this Workshop. It is also heartening to have representatives of national institutions and non-governmental organisations. The work of civil society is crucial in ensuring that a national plan is comprehensive and effective. Working in partnership with government and civil society is instrumental in all stages of the process: development, implementation, revision, and evaluation of national plans.
I wish to re-emphasise 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. It is our hope that, following your deliberations in the next three days, the workshop will be able to consider and agree on ways to follow-up this activity, including through the establishment of an Andean Network for the exchange of information and experiences. The Office remains at the disposal of Governments, on request, to assist in the development and implementation of national plans through its technical co-operation services.
In closing, let me also recall that the third World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance will take place in Durban, South Africa from 31 August to 7 September. It is crucial that human rights plans and policies are geared towards implementing the Programme of Action that will be adopted at the World Conference and that adequate follow-up is given to its recommendations at the national, sub-regional and regional level.
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 in the next three days. She looks forward to learning of the outcome of your work here and the concrete results and practical follow-up action that may result from this Lima Workshop on developing NHRAPs.
Thank you
Mr. Minister of Justice, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great honour for me to open this workshop on behalf of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The High Commissioner regrets very much that she is unable to attend in person. OHCHR attaches great importance to this forum, as an initiative that will strengthen and complement national efforts for better human rights observance.
We are most grateful to the Government of Peru for hosting this workshop and for the excellent preparation. In particular, the High Commissioner asked me to thank the Minister of Justice of Peru, Mr. Diego Garcia Sayan, for the invaluable support given to the holding of this activity. It is of particular significance that this workshop takes place here in Peru, a country that has taken a strong stand to uphold democratic principles and ensure strong respects for human rights. The High Commissioner is aware of the efforts undertaken by other governments, national institutions and non-governmental organisations in the region in the field of human rights.
OHCHR is committed to supporting such efforts and has developed a significant presence in the region. We have a field office in Colombia and technical cooperation projects in Ecuador and Bolivia. Upon the request of the Government of Peru, OHCHR has also recently participated in a UNDP study of the Peruvian justice system, which we hope will lead to a closer OHCHR-UNDP cooperation with a view to supporting the newly elected government in strengthening respect for fundamental human rights.
I am also particularly glad to see here today representatives of the Andean Commission of Jurists, with which OHCHR is implementing a technical cooperation project. Let me also take the opportunity to welcome Ms. Kim Bolduc, UN Resident Representative in Peru, and to thank her and her office for the support given to the organisation of this event and in general to OHCHR activities in the country. I would also like to take the opportunity to welcome the representatives of the new Government and to congratulate them for their recent election.
The High Commissioner strongly believes that regional strategies play a vital role in the promotion and protection of human rights and that an effective way of developing them is through the appointment of regional advisors who are based in the region themselves. OHCHR is establishing a human rights adviser within the ECLAC office in Santiago de Chile to strengthen our own capacity for action, understanding and knowledge of the Latin American and Caribbean region, and strengthening action aimed at promoting economic, social and cultural rights.
The Quito Framework of Regional Co-operation for Latin America and the Caribbean, adopted in Quito, Ecuador, in 1999 by the states of the region, calls upon the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to facilitate exchanges of experiences through meetings at the regional, sub-regional and national level. This meeting is the first of a series of activities aimed at implementing the Quito Framework. During the year 2001, OHCHR plans a sub-regional session for English-speaking Caribbean countries on ratification of human rights treaties; one sub-regional workshop for the MERCOSUR countries on the application of international human rights law by national courts; and a regional workshop on the elaboration of strategies for the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights. A regional workshop on human rights education is also being organised in co-operation with UNESCO and is scheduled to take place in Mexico next November. In November 2000, OHCHR supported the annual meeting of the Spanish American Ombudsman Federation, as well as the “Conference of the Americas”, which gathered the national institutions of Latin America and the Caribbean and Canada. Both meetings took place in Mexico City.
Mr. Minister, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights in 1993, made specific reference to national action plans. It recommended that each State consider the desirability of drawing up a national action plan which would identify stepsfor improving 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.
The importance of national plans of action for the promotion and protection of human rights was recognised by countries of this region during the Quito Workshop. In the Session’s conclusions, states adopted a Framework for Technical Co-operation, comprising five main pillars, or areas, the first one of which is focussed on National Human Rights Plans of Action.
After Vienna, the experiences of countries in the process of developing and implementing a NHRAP have demonstrated the benefits of adopting a national plan approach as a measure to improve respect for human rights. NHRPAs ensure that states are placed at the center of national efforts to implement national and international human rights obligations, generating greater understanding and building partnership and trust between states and civil society. The process of developing a NHRAP also serves as an education tool, leading to greater awareness of human rights; the elaboration of NHRAP has led to the establishment or strengthening of genuinely independent national human rights institutions; a participatory approach to the NHRAP leads to the identification of vulnerable groups; the human rights planning process can identify and link with other planning endeavours, such as national sustainable development plans, poverty reduction strategies; health and other strategies and ensure that human rights are integrated into the national planning process.
I am aware that some of the countries participating in this workshop have already adopted NHRPAs, and that others are in the process of doing so. While national action plans will necessarily reflect the unique values, culture and traditions of each state, we have learnt that there are commonalties in the development of national human rights action plans that are relevant to all countries. We therefore have a great amount to learn from each other. These three days should serve to share ideas and review national experiences, best practices and lessons learned by all participants in connection with the elaboration and implementation of NHRPAs.
Likewise, in order for you to truly benefit from best practices in connection with the development of national human rights action plans, the experience of other regions is invaluable. The Compendium that we have distributed to all participants should serve as a useful tool for provoking thought and learning lessons through the experience of those countries which have already finalised the process of developing a national plan of action. We are very fortunate and grateful that these lessons will be elaborated during the presentations by the representatives of Ecuador, Bolivia and Brazil, who have kindly agreed to share their experience with us.
Mr. Minister, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
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. A national plan of action is intended to provide direction and an overall framework for action in the promotion and protection of human rights. NHRAPs can be the concrete reflection of a deliberate policy to promote and protect human rights as well as a useful tool to co-ordinate between different government departments and authorities in this area. Indeed, the national plan of action can open communications for action amongst all relevant actors in society to identify and implement strategies for effective national progress.
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 initial step of developing a plan to the substantive issues to be addressed. 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.
The Workshop objectives are to:
Identify the central and common purposes and principles of national plans of action for the promotion and protection of human rights at the national and regional level;
Enhance knowledge of various methodologies and strategies to ensure the development or strengthening of a comprehensive, effective, participatory, and sustainable action plan, including strategies for the implementation and national evaluation of the plan;
Exchange national experiences and lessons learnt on the elaboration, development, revision and implementation of National Human Rights Action Plans.
Encourage dialogue, at the national and regional level, on the formulation and implementation of National Human Rights Action Plans and their linkages with other planning activities.
Agree on steps to be taken by participants with regard to activities at the national level related to the development and/or implementation of national human rights action plans.
Agree upon follow-up activities at the sub-regional level on human rights planning.
Facilitate the creation of an Andean Network for the exchange of information and experience on the formulation/implementation/revision/monitoring of national Human Rights Plans of Action
Mr. Minister, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
We are encouraged by the large presence of governments of the Andean region at this Workshop. It is also heartening to have representatives of national institutions and non-governmental organisations. The work of civil society is crucial in ensuring that a national plan is comprehensive and effective. Working in partnership with government and civil society is instrumental in all stages of the process: development, implementation, revision, and evaluation of national plans.
I wish to re-emphasise 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. It is our hope that, following your deliberations in the next three days, the workshop will be able to consider and agree on ways to follow-up this activity, including through the establishment of an Andean Network for the exchange of information and experiences. The Office remains at the disposal of Governments, on request, to assist in the development and implementation of national plans through its technical co-operation services.
In closing, let me also recall that the third World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance will take place in Durban, South Africa from 31 August to 7 September. It is crucial that human rights plans and policies are geared towards implementing the Programme of Action that will be adopted at the World Conference and that adequate follow-up is given to its recommendations at the national, sub-regional and regional level.
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 in the next three days. She looks forward to learning of the outcome of your work here and the concrete results and practical follow-up action that may result from this Lima Workshop on developing NHRAPs.
Thank you