A/HRC/10/54
page 18
C. Special procedures
76. Human rights institutions can be instrumental in the work of special procedures
mandate-holders, specifically with regard to country visits (preparation, meetings during the
visit, follow-up to recommendations); early warning; participation in and organization of
thematic studies, conferences and seminars; and interaction in international forums, such as the
Human Rights Council or the annual meeting of special procedures mandate-holders.
Increasingly, mandate-holders look to the institutions for assistance in ensuring that their
recommendations are followed up at the national level.
77. On 26 June 2008, an interactive dialogue was held among special procedures
mandate-holders, national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations. The
representative of the International Coordinating Committee presented a statement on enhanced
cooperation between the institutions and mandate-holders and follow-up to recommendations, as
well as a paper on interaction between institutions and mandate-holders.
78. On 25 and 26 October 2008, OHCHR, in collaboration with the Representative of the
Secretary-General on the human rights of internally displaced persons and the Brookings-Bern
Project on Internal Displacement, organized a seminar in Nairobi on the role of African national
institutions in protecting the human rights of internally displaced persons. The workshop
provided an overview of the legal and normative framework for protecting internally displaced
persons; shared guidelines on developing national laws and policies on internally displaced
persons; and discussed specific strategies for national institutions to protect and assist internally
displaced persons.
IV. COOPERATION AMONG THE OFFICE OF THE HIGH
COMMISSIONER, UNITED NATIONS AGENCIES AND
PROGRAMMES, AND INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS ON NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS
INSTITUTIONS
79. In 2008, OHCHR continued to strengthen its cooperation with United Nations country
teams worldwide. OHCHR is cooperating with UNDP and the human rights institutions of
Denmark, South Africa and Uganda to develop a country team toolkit for UNDP staff, which is
due to be launched jointly by OHCHR and UNDP by June 2009.
80. In March 2008, a HURITALK e-discussion was held on the theme “The role of
United Nations agencies and country teams in supporting national human rights institutions”.
Contributions were received from United Nations agencies, civil society organizations and
experts from all regions, emphasizing the role that credible and independent human rights
institutions can play as national partners to promote the rule of law, good governance and human
rights or to contribute to other priority areas, such as poverty reduction. The e-discussion1
focused on (a) the role of human rights institutions in promoting human rights and development
objectives; (b) ensuring their credibility and independence, maintaining relationships with civil
1
Summary available at www.nhri.net.
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