A/HRC/18/23 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 12/11, the Human Rights Council requested the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to submit a report containing an update of the activities undertaken by the Office in the context of transitional justice, including by the human rights components of peace missions, as well as an analysis of the relationship between disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and transitional justice, in consultation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and other relevant parts of the United Nations system, civil society, States and other stakeholders (para. 21). 2. The present report, submitted in accordance with the above-mentioned request, provides an overview of key transitional justice activities of OHCHR, including the human rights components of peace missions since 2009 (see A/HRC/12/18). The report also analyses the relationship between disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) and transitional justice. On 8 and 9 December 2010, OHCHR organized in Geneva the Expert Workshop on Maximizing Opportunities for Coordination between DDR Initiatives and Transitional Justice Processes. The discussions of the workshop are reflected in the present report, which also takes account of contributions received from the Governments of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, France, Finland, Guatemala, Lebanon, Mauritania, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as from UNDP, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the International Center for Transitional Justice.1 II. Transitional justice activities of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights 3. The Office of the High Commissioner has been supporting transitional justice programmes in more than 20 countries worldwide, including engaging in the design and implementation of inclusive national consultations; supporting the establishment of truthseeking processes, judicial accountability mechanisms, and reparations programmes; enhancing institutional reform; and ensuring that human rights and transitional justice considerations are reflected in peace agreements. OHCHR provides dedicated transitional justice programmes at the country level; conceptual and policy support at headquarters; and partnerships with multiple actors, including national authorities, national human rights institutions, civil society and other United Nations departments and agencies. A. Enhancing the understanding of transitional justice 4. In decision No. 2006/47 on the rule of law, the Secretary-General designated OHCHR as the lead entity within the United Nations system for transitional justice.2 As such, OHCHR is responsible for policy development, standard setting, substantive guidance, capacity building, and coordination with United Nations and other actors on transitional justice issues. In its resolution 12/11 of 2010, the Human Rights Council requested OHCHR “to continue to enhance its leading role within the United Nations, 1 2 4 The full text of the contributions is available from the secretariat. This includes national consultative processes; truth and reconciliation mechanisms; reparations; vetting processes; ad hoc investigations; fact finding; and commissions of inquiry. OHCHR and the Office of Legal Affairs jointly lead on the development of international and hybrid tribunals.