A/HRC/13/44
developments in this regard. OHCHR stands ready to assist in ensuring that the NHRI is
established according to international standards. OHCHR is also following efforts regarding
the establishment of NHRIs in Lebanon and Oman.
63.
OHCHR is supporting the NHRIs of Morocco and Jordan in effectively delivering
their mandates as regional chairs of the coordinating groups of Africa and Asia,
respectively.
64.
In Jordan, OHCHR is working with UNDP to develop joint technical cooperation
activities to support the National Centre for Human Rights. Means of ensuring further
cooperation with the recently established NHRIs in the Middle East, namely, those in Saudi
Arabia and the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, have been explored.
C.
1.
Support of the Office for international initiatives
International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and
Protection of Human Rights
(a)
Twenty-second session
65.
As secretariat of the International Coordinating Committee, OHCHR provided
substantive support to and facilitated the twenty-second session of the Committee, held in
Geneva from 23 to 27 March 2009. NHRIs from the four regions reported on their activities
and key challenges encountered. A finance committee was established to oversee
fundraising and financial management. Participants were informed that a bank account was
opened and that Committee members had started to pay annual fees. The Committee
representative in Geneva gave an update on NHRI participation in the Human Rights
Council. The Working Group on the Durban Review Conference of the International
Coordinating Committee informed the NHRIs on how to strategize to make an impact
during the Conference.
66.
OHCHR informed participants about its priorities, including: increasing the
knowledge of NHRIs about new United Nations human rights treaties and optional
protocols; encouraging institutions to play a greater role in encouraging the ratification of
new treaties; strengthening treaty body procedures for interaction with NHRIs; compiling
examples of good practices of interaction between NHRIs and United Nations human rights
mechanisms; disseminating the concluding observations of treaty bodies and
recommendations resulting from the universal periodic review process; publicizing the use
of the International Coordinating Committee representative in Geneva; encouraging greater
NHRI involvement in drafting the general comments of treaty bodies; and supporting the
involvement of NHRI complaints-handling and the use of jurisprudence with respect to the
treaty body system.
(b)
Bureau meeting
67.
OHCHR provided support to the International Coordinating Committee Bureau
meeting held in Rabat on 1 and 2 November 2009. The Bureau discussed possible items for
the next International Coordinating Committee Conference in March 2010, and prioritized
the follow-up to the Durban Review Conference, the draft United Nations declaration on
human rights education and training, NHRI engagement with international human rights
mechanisms. Regarding the importance of NHRIs paying annual subscription fees to enable
the operations of the International Coordinating Committee, it was agreed that NHRIs
should be given the opportunity to pay their fees before the next Committee meeting. The
possibility of having Arabic as a working language of the Committee was considered. The
need to strengthen regional secretariats of NHRIs to promote interaction between regions
GE.10-10269
11
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