REPORT Human Rights Reporting A comprehensive regional capacity development training for qualified professionals from Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Paramaribo, Republic of Suriname 8-12 December 2008
1. PROGRAMME OVERVIEW 1.1. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION The promotion of the respect for human rights, as stated in the Charter of the United Nations, is one of the essential purposes of the Organization. This commitment has guided the UN in its efforts towards setting and implementing standards in the area of international human rights. Reporting requirements under treaty provisions as well as under the Universal Periodic Review are an important means of monitoring the implementation of instruments that embody the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms. A crucial element for the proper functioning of the reporting process is the submission of timely and comprehensive reports by States Parties. In order to enhance a better understanding of human rights reporting mechanisms, the Government of the Republic of Suriname hosted a course on Human Rights Reporting, a comprehensive regional capacity development training for qualified professionals from Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). This training activity was organized and conducted by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Justice and Police of the Republic of Suriname, the Anton de Kom University of Suriname and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Suriname with the support of the Government of Turkey. 1.2. OBJECTIVES The Human Rights Reporting training activity had the following objectives: To provide participants with better insights for more effective and efficient reporting under the major international human rights instruments and according to the Universal Periodic Review mechanisms; To increase the capacity of national governments of the Caribbean Community in the preparation and submission of reports; To strengthen the ability of the national governments of the Caribbean Community to monitor and implement international human rights treaties in order to enhance the overall functioning of the reporting process; To provide a platform for an intensive exchange and sharing of information in the field of human rights reporting and to enhance the regional cooperation. 1
1.3. TARGET GROUP This capacity development training activity was open to candidates from Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). They had to be junior to senior diplomats or government officials from other Ministries in charge of human rights, members of human rights commissions or human rights experts from the public or private sector. All participants needed to be familiar with human rights law and instruments and their work should entail participation in human rights commissions or in international conferences dealing with human rights reporting. 1.4. DATE, VENUE AND COURSE LANGUAGE The Human Rights Reporting course took place from 8 to 12 December 2008 in Paramaribo, Republic of Suriname. On Wednesday 10 December 2008 a public session open to the public took place at the Anton de Kom University of Suriname to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The course was conducted in English. 2. PREPARATORY PHASE 2.1. DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION Application forms as well as leaflets explaining the background and objectives of the course, the requirements for participation, the selection process and the course methodology were sent to Permanent Missions of CARICOM Member States to the United Nations in Geneva and New York and to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) representatives in the region, requesting their assistance in the distribution of the information to the relevant national ministries and institutions. Information about the training activity was also emailed directly to universities law faculties, Ministries, human rights committees/commissions, alumni and international and regional organizations in the Caribbean Community. Background information on the course and application forms were also made available on the UNITAR website. 2
2.2. APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS The application deadline was set on Friday, 14 November 2008. Twenty-five candidates from 12 countries (15 males, 10 females) submitted their applications. A total of 32 trainees participated in the training: fifteen participants from 12 CARICOM countries, two from the UN office in Paramaribo as well as 15 representatives from the host country. All the participants had several years of practical experience in the field of human rights and of human rights reporting in particular. They were attached to various government ministries and services, Attorney General s Offices, NGOs and universities. The training Programme was therefore extremely beneficial to the execution of the trainees daily professional tasks. The participants showed a keen interest in the subjects offered, participated in the discussions in a very lively manner and generally respected all practical arrangements related to the Programme in a cooperative spirit. The trainees were able to establish effective informal contacts amongst each other that paved the way for an efficient future collaboration and an exchange of information on human rights matters. The complete list of participants can be found in Annex 5.1. 2.3. FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS The participation in the training activity comprised travel to and from the course venue, accommodation, breakfast and lunches in Paramaribo, transport on arrival/departure, health insurance, tuition, books and training material as well as a stipend to cover additional costs such as dinner or other living expenses (in accordance with UN stipend rules). 3. IMPLEMENTATION PHASE 3.1. RESOURCE PERSONS UNITAR identified two experts in the field of human rights reporting, one female and one male. The first one specialized in Treaty Bodies Reporting and the second one in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanisms. The list of resource persons can be found in Annex 5.2. 3
3.2. COURSE CONTENT The training activity comprised three main components: Sessions on Treaty Bodies Reporting Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Human Rights Day Sessions on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanisms The complete course schedule can be found in Annex 5.3. 3.3. METHODOLOGY Special stress was laid upon the active participation of all the participants attending the course; time was allocated for practical exercises such as case studies and group discussions. Two participants made a presentation on the recent reporting experience in their countries in relation to the ongoing Universal Periodic Review process. 3.4. TRAINING MATERIAL The participants were provided with a comprehensive set of training material to enable them to participate in a well informed, effective and prepared manner. The material consisted of CD-ROMs and a training folder containing printouts of all PowerPoint presentations and relevant background readings (legal texts, articles, pamphlets). The material for the training course was selected and developed in close cooperation with the resource persons. It was also intended to serve as useful reference documentation after the completion of the training. At the end of the course, participants were also provided with a CD-ROM containing all training material in electronic format, PowerPoint presentations as well as pictures. The complete list of training material can be found in Annex 5.4. 3.5. COURSE CERTIFICATE The participants were awarded a course certificate at the end of the training activity. 4
4. COURSE SCHEDULE MONDAY 8 DECEMBER 2008 11:30 Arrival of Participants and Welcome Ms. Isabel Hubert, Associate Director, Training Department, Head, Peace, Security and Diplomacy Unit, UNITAR Mr. Thomas Gittens, Country Director, UNDP H.E. Mr. Henry L. Mac Donald, Ambassador, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Suriname to the United Nations, New York H.E. Mr. Humphrey Hildenberg, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Suriname Break 12:30 Lunch Break Workshop Overview Objectives, Content, Learning Approach and Expected Outcomes Introduction: trainers and participants 14:00 SESSION I Introduction to the International Protection of Human Rights Mr. Jorge Araya Human Rights Officer, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), OHCHR Regional Office for Latin America, Panama 15:30 Tea / Coffee Break 15:45 SESSION II Introduction to Human Rights Reporting Mr. Jorge Araya Human Rights Officer, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), OHCHR Regional Office for Latin America, Panama 17:30 End of the Day 5
TUESDAY 9 DECEMBER 2008 9:00 SESSION III Treaty Bodies Reporting Mr. Jorge Araya Human Rights Officer, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), OHCHR Regional Office for Latin America, Panama 10:30 Tea / Coffee Break 10:45 SESSION IV (CONTINUED) 12:30 Lunch Break 14:00 SESSION V (CONTINUED) 15:30 Tea / Coffee Break 15:45 SESSION VI (CONTINUED) 17:00 End of the Day WEDNESDAY 10 DECEMBER 2008 10:00 WELCOME Ms. Leatitia Beek Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Anton de Kom University of Suriname Venue: Anton de Kom University of Suriname 10:15 SESSION VII (CONTINUED) Treaty Bodies Reporting Mr. Jorge Araya Human Rights Officer, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), OHCHR Regional Office for Latin America, Panama 12:00 Break 12:30 SESSION VIII Are Human Rights Universal? Live Webcast of the Geneva Lecture Series from the Palais des Nations from Geneva, Switzerland Venue: Anton de Kom University of Suriname Ms. Shirin Ebadi 2003 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Mr. Wole Soyinka 1986 Nobel Prize Laureate in Literature 6
15:00 Lunch Break 16:15 SESSION IX Round Table The International Protection of Human Rights Venue: Anton de Kom University of Suriname 17:15 Break 17:30 Cocktail Speakers: Mr. Eric Rudge Professor, Anton de Kom University of Suriname Ms. Margo Waterval Professor, Anton de Kom University of Suriname Ms. Mariana Olivera West Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of Mexico to the U.N., Geneva Mr. Jorge Araya Human Rights Officer, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), OHCHR Regional Office for Latin America, Panama THURSDAY 11 DECEMBER 2008 9:00 SESSION XI Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Ms. Mariana Olivera West Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of Mexico to the U.N., Geneva The preparation of the national report The interactive dialogue in the UPR Working Group The adoption of the report of the Working Group The adoption of the outcome of the review by the plenary of the Human Rights Council Follow up to the review 10:30 Tea / Coffee Break 10:45 SESSION XII (CONTINUED) 12:30 Lunch Break 14:00 SESSION XIII (CONTINUED) 15:30 Tea / Coffee Break 7
15:45 SESSION XIV (CONTINUED) 17:00 End of the Day FRIDAY 12 DECEMBER 2008 9:00 SESSION XV (CONTINUED) Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Ms. Mariana Olivera West Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of Mexico to the U.N., Geneva 10:30 Tea / Coffee Break 10:45 SESSION XVI (CONTINUED) 12:30 Lunch Break 14:00 SESSION XVII (CONTINUED) Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Ms. Mariana Olivera West Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of Mexico to the U.N., Geneva 15:30 Tea / Coffee Break 15:45 SesSION XVIII Sharing of Experiences on Human Rights Reporting - The Reporting Experience in Bahamas and Barbados 16:30 Wrap up and evaluation session 17:00 Certificates Ceremony 17:30 Closing Remarks H.E. Mr. Chandrikapersad Santokhi Minister of Justice and Police 17:45 End of the Course Cocktail 8
5. TRAINING MATERIAL General Documents Charter of the United Nations and Statute of the International Court of Justice, 2004. OHCHR, CD-Rom: Human Rights; A Compilation of International Instruments, 2003. OHCHR, The United Nations Human Rights System. How To Make It Work For You, 2008. UNITAR, A Glossary of Terms for UN Delegates, 2005. Treaty Bodies Reporting Araya, Jorge, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, PowerPoint presentation, 2008. Araya, Jorge, Introduction to the International Protection of Human Rights, PowerPoint presentation, 2008. Araya, Jorge, Introduction to Reporting. Duty to Report, PowerPoint presentation, 2008. Araya, Jorge, Reporting: Challenges and Options, PowerPoint presentation, 2008. Araya, Jorge, Reporting Cycle, PowerPoint presentation, 2008. Human Rights Council Resolution HRI/GEN/1/Rev.9, Compilation of General Comments and General Recommendations adopted by human rights treaty bodies, 2008. Human Rights Council Resolution HRI/GEN/2/Rev.5, Compilation of Guidelines on the form and content of reports to be submitted by States Parties to the International Human Rights Treaties, 2008. Human Rights Council Resolution HRI/MC/2008/4, Report on treaty body working methods, 2008. Human Rights Reporting. Reference Documents, 2008. OHCHR, Fact Sheet No 30, Human Rights. The United Nations Human Rights System. An introduction to the core human rights treaties and the treaty bodies. 9
United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/63/280, Effective implementation of international instruments on human rights, including reporting obligations under international instruments on human rights, 2008. Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Human Rights Council 8/PRST/1, Modalities and practices for the universal periodic review process, 2008. Human Rights Council Decision 6/102, Follow-up to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1. General Guidelines for the Preparation of Information Under UPR, 2007. Human Rights Council PRST/ 9/2, Follow-up to President's statement 8/1. Human Rights Council Resolution 6/17, Establishment of funds for the universal periodic review mechanism of the Human Rights Council, 2007. Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/RES/5/1, Institution-building of the United Nations Human Rights Council, 2007. Human Rights Council, Universal Periodic Review, Calendar for the full cycle of the review of UN Member States under the Universal Periodic review Mechanism (UPR). Human Rights Council, Universal Periodic Review, List of Troikas 3rd, 4th and 5th Sessions of the UPR Working Group. Human Rights Council, Universal Periodic Review, Timetables 3rd, 4th and 5th Sessions. 10
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