A/HRC/27/20 31. The technical guidance has also been used in engagement with the courts. For example, Uganda’s Center for Health, Human Rights and Development has reported that the technical guidance influenced the preparation of the petition that it and other partners filed in the Constitutional Court. The petition seeks to establish that the non-provision of essential maternal health commodities in a government health facility, leading to the death of some expectant mothers, is an infringement on the right to health. The Centre explained that the emphasis placed by the technical guidance on accountability and judicial remedies provided a supportive framework for this work. It also explained that the filing of this case had led to the filing of other health-related cases, which were assisted by the technical guidance.11 32. SAHAYOG, an Indian civil society organization working in the areas of maternal health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender equality, used the technical guidance in its joint work with the national human rights institution on monitoring the Government’s commitments following the second universal periodic review of India. The actions identified include ensuring access to contraceptive services, maternal health services and safe abortion services; simplifying the grievance mechanisms; and ensuring community participation in the governance of the public health system. Many of these actions require engagement with parliamentarians, which is SAHAYOG’s next step, after the May 2014 elections. 33. The technical guidance also informed the development, by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), of model legislation on maternal health from a human rights perspective. This model legislation is presented in a publication by PAHO entitled Reproductive Health and Healthy Motherhood: Aligning National Legislation with International Human Rights Law. The publication is the product of two regional meetings for parliamentarians organized by PAHO. The first meeting took place in March 2013 in Santo Domingo and the second took place in December 2013 in Brasilia. For the second meeting, PAHO financed the translation of the technical guidance into Portuguese and the technical guidance was presented. Model legislation provides important illustrations and examples of how legislation may meet human rights standards. B. Capacity-building 34. Various interlocutors have reported using the technical guidance as a way to enhance understanding of the actions required under a rights-based approach, particularly through capacity-building initiatives. For instance, Colombia reported that the technical guidance has contributed to a better understanding of the requirements of a rights-based approach, which has been particularly relevant in Colombia since the Constitutional Court decision of 2006 regarding the grounds on which abortion should be permitted.12 35. UNFPA in Brazil has reported that the technical guidance has been used in training activities, especially with regard to a workshop on the intersectionalities of race, gender and age in public policies and budgets, which focused on the health of women of African descent. The workshop reportedly provided a basis for constructive engagement between government officials, civil society, academia and United Nations agencies, and led to action that was effective in framing maternal health as a human rights issue. 11 12 10 See, for example, CEHURD and others v. Nakaseke District Local Government (civil suit No. 111 of 2012) and CEHURD v. Executive Director of Mulago National Referral Hospital (civil suit No. 212 of 2013). Decision C-355/06 (10 May 2006).