A/HRC/34/33
I.
Introduction
1.
In its resolution 30/24, the Human Rights Council affirmed that the inclusive
participation of all sectors of society in debating and developing policies and programmes
affecting all the population was critical for the success of such processes. It also recognized
that public policies planned and formulated through participatory and accessible approaches
were key factors in promoting respect for and safeguarding the realization of human rights.
In its resolution, the Council requested the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to organize an expert workshop to discuss
effective, inclusive and participatory mechanisms and methodologies to mainstream human
rights in the formulation and implementation of public policies, with the participation
States, relevant United Nations bodies, funds and programmes, intergovernmental
organizations, academia, national human rights institutions and other stakeholders. The
Council also requested OHCHR to prepare a summary report on the discussions at the
workshop and to present it to the Council at its thirty-third session. The present report was
prepared pursuant to that request.
2.
OHCHR, in consultation with all relevant partners, designed the methodology for
the workshop, ensuring coverage of practical ways of mainstreaming human rights in all
phases of the design, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of national
policies. Participation in the workshop was open to all Member States. Panellists and
discussants were chosen on the basis of their expertise and practical experience in the
development of national policies, with due regard for gender and geographic distribution.
The workshop, held on 5 September 2016, had the aim of exploring further opportunities
and of sharing good practices when setting up effective mechanisms for inclusive and
participatory public policymaking, with a view to integrating a human rights perspective.
The discussions also explored the central role of civil society and rights-holders in such
processes.
3.
The following panellists and discussants contributed to the workshop: Management
Board member of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, Filippo di Robilant;
member of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in the Field of
Human Rights, Lin Lim; Professor at the University of Oran, Algeria, Mohamed Boulaa;
Partnerships Adviser at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Office in
Geneva, Sara Sekkenes; Manager of Policy Studies at the Geneva Academy of International
Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, Felix Kirchmeier; Associate Professor at the Faculty
of Law at “Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu, Romania, Laura-Maria Crăciunean-Tatu;
Councillor at the Permanent Mission of Ecuador to the United Nations Office at Geneva,
Luis Espinosa-Salas; Professor at the Catholic University of Peru, José Antonio Burneo
Labrin; and the Chairperson of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, Judith Robertson.
The workshop was moderated by the Chief of the Africa Branch of the Field Operations
and Technical Cooperation Division, OHCHR, Mahamane Cissé-Gouro; the Chief of the
Development and Economic Issues Branch, OHCHR, Craig Mokhiber; the Legal Attaché of
the Permanent Mission of Namibia to the United Nations Office at Geneva, Gladice
Pickering; and the Chief of the Universal Periodic Review Branch, OHCHR, Shahrzad
Tadjbakhsh.
4.
During the dialogue, representatives of Algeria, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Italy and
Portugal took the floor. A representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
also participated in the discussion. Representatives of the non-governmental organizations
Autistic Minority International, the International Disability Alliance and the International
Movement ATD Fourth World also took the floor.
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