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system to address human rights violations. In this context, Working with OHCHR: A Handbook
for NGOs is available in English (Web-based). In addition, The United Nations Voluntary Trust
Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery was issued in English and Russian.
B. Use of electronic means
17.
The OHCHR Internet site is an indispensable tool for human rights information users
worldwide. To facilitate both developing and developed countries being informed about
United Nations human rights issues and activities, the servers have been upgraded to take
advantage of the latest technology. The log shows that the number of visitors to the site has been
increasing constantly.
18.
OHCHR has continued to improve the Internet site with a new home page design in
January 2006 and has expanded the content of its website in order to reach out to a wider
audience. The human rights country information pages have been updated to centralize all
relevant information on each country in order to facilitate navigation by the users.
19.
The Office is committed to making the contents of its website available to all, including
those with disabilities. In this connection, OHCHR continues to design the Internet pages in
accordance with international accessibility recommendations.
20.
Understanding that multilingual development is a key to delivering human rights
information, OHCHR has developed a document management system which allows users to
access the United Nations human rights documents in all six official languages. The system is
associated with the Internet pages and the search functions with a straightforward means of
finding relevant information.
C. Media liaison
21.
The Office has continued to strengthen its capacity to communicate the human rights
message through the media. OHCHR staff responsible for media liaison brief the international
press regularly on the activities of the Office and on the human rights programme in general.
The media liaison staff participate in elaborating the communication strategy of OHCHR;
accompany the High Commissioner in the field; draft press statements; organize media events
for the High Commissioner; assist the special procedures mechanisms and the treaty bodies with
their media liaison needs; and help draft and place opinion pieces and other articles in major
international publications.
22.
Among activities of note undertaken in 2005 and 2006, the Communication Section
assisted the High Commissioner’s speechwriter in drafting, translating and placing seven opinion
articles by the High Commissioner. Five senior staff undertook media skills training in 2006.
Two thematic information kits were developed and distributed for use of the media and partners
on the human rights issues of torture (in English) and poverty (in all official languages).
Information kits for the media were also developed and distributed for the first session of the
Human Rights Council, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for
Victims of Torture and the launch of the Secretary-General’s study on violence against children.
In the reporting period the Unit worked with the United Nations Information Service (UNIS)
Geneva and the Treaties and Commission Branch of OHCHR on two seminars to train
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