A/HRC/10/52
page 16
2.
Mainstreaming human rights
51. The Section succeeded in bringing together various stakeholders to consult on human
rights issues. Through the efforts of the Section, the United Nations country team formally
established a “human rights theme group” in a bid to foster the joint United Nations effort to
strengthen protection and promotion of human rights in Sierra Leone.
52. The Section worked to develop a subregional approach to addressing the human rights
challenges in the subregion consistent with the recommendations of the Secretary-General on
inter-mission cooperation and cross-border activities (S/2005/135). Trafficking in human beings,
the establishment of a database for human rights violations in each country, and increased
information sharing have been identified as critical issues.
53. In collaboration with the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, the Section
commenced work on the formulation of a national plan of action for human rights which is
ongoing. The Section also brought together various stakeholders and interlocutors to celebrate
major United Nations days, including the 16 Days of Action against Domestic Violence, Child
Rights Day and International Human Rights Day, as a way of facilitating recognition and respect
for human rights. In addition, the Section continued to participate in the Justice Sector
Coordination Group with a view to maximizing synergy through enhanced coordination among
development partners in the justice sector.
3.
Closer partnership: civil society and United Nations agencies
54. A number of initiatives were taken to strengthen the partnership with civil society
organizations. Human rights organizations in the country were organized into human rights
committees at the district level and trained on human rights principles. Four human rights
committees in Bo, Kenema, Kailahun and Bonthe were assisted with resource centres and human
rights publications. The Section also donated six motorcycles to the district human rights
committees in Kailahun, Kono, Port Loko, Moyamba, Bonthe and Pujehun to facilitate their
mobility in furtherance of human rights activities, including in particular monitoring and
reporting in their respective districts. Two regional human rights and law reference libraries were
also established in Bo and Kenema.
55. The Section implemented, together with UNDP, the fifth phase of the Assisting
Communities Together (ACT) Project in Sierra Leone. The ACT Project provides financial
support - through grants - to human rights activities carried out by local NGOs and other human
rights actors in civil society. Eleven NGOs received support to carry out human rights activities
in the area of human rights education.
56. Through the Action 2 programme, the Section strengthened the capacity of the
United Nations agencies along with Government ministries, the Human Rights Commission of
Sierra Leone and key civil society organizations through training on a human rights-based
approach to enhance integration and mainstreaming of human rights in their operations.
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents