A/HRC/26/41
of State contributions to them and the gross inadequacy of the resources currently available
from them. A combination of measures is probably required if the goal of strengthening the
resource base of the funds is to be attained any time soon.
39.
First, there is a need to shift from the current opt-in voluntary funding system to an
equally voluntary opt-out system that could encourage and foster a greater degree of
responsiveness among States to the resource needs for the two funds. States which do not
belong to the category of least developed countries would be asked to take active steps to
opt out of the voluntary obligation to contribute to the funds. States which do not do so by a
set date would then be taken to have voluntarily assumed an obligation to fund the relevant
fund by a set moderate baseline amount.
40.
Second, an expanded notion of what constitutes a contribution to these funds may
be required, so that in-kind contributions of human resources and technological inputs are
seen as equally important (see A/HRC/19/50). This should be especially the case for the
Voluntary Fund for Financial and Technical Assistance, which the Human Rights Council
in its resolution 6/17, established explicitly to become a source of both financial and
technical assistance. In-kind contributions may take the form of donations of technically
qualified and quality-assured human resources from the relevant State. In this connection,
the Technical Aid Corps scheme of Nigeria can serve as a model.
41.
Third, as many States and stakeholders have suggested, much more attention than
hitherto needs to be paid to non-traditional donors and South-South cooperation (see
Council resolution 23/3 and A/HRC/19/50). As some States and stakeholders have also
urged, broadening the donor base of the two funds is a necessity in the current
circumstances and OHCHR should be mandated to enhance its dialogue with the
representatives of such countries and bodies. Also, if the notion of what constitutes a
donation is expanded to the degree suggested above, the ability of the Council and OHCHR
to make progress in this regard will be greatly improved (see A/HRC/19/50).
42.
Another proposal with specific regard to the Voluntary Fund for Financial and
Technical Assistance is that the complementary role played by a wide range of stakeholders
in the implementation of universal periodic review recommendations needs to be further
encouraged and supported. That fund should be re-conceived as a fund that supports not
only States and regional groups, but a wide range of stakeholders, including national human
rights institutions and local civil society groups (A/HRC/24/56, para.35). The argument put
forward is that, with greater technical and financial support, those stakeholders can
cooperate with States and regional groups to further engage with the universal periodic
review process and encourage the implementation of review recommendations. It is also
argued by proponents of this approach that supporting those stakeholders will increase the
efficiency of the fund. The idea is that certain non-State stakeholders can help facilitate the
implementation of certain recommendations more effectively than States. However, the
long-standing debate around the legitimacy, transparency and accountability of civil society
actors may constitute an obstacle in this regard.
X.
Mainstreaming human rights across the global
institutional system
43.
The need to mainstream human rights of all categories into every aspect of
international relations and cooperation (including trade, migration, intellectual property
rights, finance, development and security) is regularly reiterated within the United Nations
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