A/HRC/15/56
2.
Regular meetings or forums for collaboration between the UN and Africa
human rights mechanisms should be encouraged starting for instance with the attendance of
the African human rights mechanisms in annual meetings of Special Procedures Mandate
Holders (SPMHs) , and Chairpersons of Treaty Bodies, as well as at sessions of the Human
Rights Council (HRC) and vice versa.
3.
An institutionalized system for exchange of information and documentation
between the two systems should be developed. Information sharing may be on various areas
including:
I.
Jurisprudence on the normative content of human rights instruments: e.g. the
African human rights mechanisms could consult jurisprudence of treaty bodies on
individual communications, concluding observations/comments, and general
comments that provide guidance on the content of civil and political rights, and
economic social and cultural rights and relevant obligations of States parties and
vice versa.
II.
Soft law: exchange of information in areas where norms, principles and
guidelines have been developed;
III.
Information from Special Procedures mechanisms and their methods of work
and findings, including on individual cases, country visits and follow-up, as well as
research on thematic human rights issues;
IV.
Exchange of information and experience regarding rules of procedures,
working methods and reporting procedures, including working methods with
different partners e.g. NGOs, NHRIs and international agencies, as well as
guidelines for reporting with a view to facilitate States parties’ fulfillment of
reporting obligations.
V.
Seek to harmonize working methods, where possible, with full respect of the
independence of all mechanisms.
VI.
Share good practices related to follow up and implementation of views,
opinions and recommendations of international and regional mechanisms by the
State parties.
4.
Encourage provision of information on the different processes of the
respective mechanisms, including by providing information prior to the consideration of
reports, disseminating the conclusions and recommendations of the respective systems and
ensuring collaboration in the follow-up to their recommendations.
5.
An electronic data base could be created to share information including State
parties’ reports, conclusions, recommendations, individual complaints, views, reports and
opinions of UN human rights mechanisms and regional mechanisms which are available
and accessible, information could also be placed on CD roms.
6.
A link from the OHCHR website to websites of the African human rights
mechanisms should be created to facilitate information sharing and vice versa.
7.
Documents from the African mechanisms could be submitted as official
documents of the UN Human Rights Council, by Governments and NHRIs accredited with
A-status.
8.
Facilitate cooperation with institutions with complementary jurisprudence
and thematic focus(opportunities):
I.
The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and Universal Peer Review
Mechanism (UPR) could cooperate and learn from each other.
22
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