A/HRC/18/23 42. OHCHR Guatemala has advocated for the adoption of adequate legislation to strengthen and bring sustainability to State policies on reparations. It further worked to sensitize civil society and victims organizations about international standards and comparative experiences regarding reparations. In 2011, OHCHR Guatemala plans to monitor the implementation of the National Reparations Programme at the local and regional levels. 4. Institutional reform 43. Public institutions that have helped to perpetuate conflict must be transformed into institutions that sustain peace, protect human rights, and foster a culture of respect for the rule of law. By building fair and efficient public institutions, institutional reform enables post-conflict Governments to prevent the recurrence of future human rights violations. Vetting, by removing from service those public officials and employees, particularly in the security and justice sectors, who have been personally responsible for gross violations of human rights, is critical to facilitating this transformation. The removal of these persons should comply with due process of law and the principle of non-discrimination. Institutional reform should further incorporate comprehensive training programmes for public officials and employees on applicable human rights and international humanitarian law standards.10 OHCHR assists the implementation of institutional reform programmes through training, monitoring and resource provision. (a) Africa 44. HRPS-UNMIL has continued to assist in the vetting of new recruits in the Liberia National Police (LNP) and the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) by providing background information on individual recruits who do not meet jointly agreed criteria for hiring. HRPSUNMIL has also continued to conduct training on human rights and international humanitarian law for the LNP and AFL, and has started a similar programme with the Special Security Service personnel. HRPS-UNMIL also works to reinforce accountability mechanisms within the security sector. (b) Asia-Pacific 45. In follow-up to the June 2010 National Consultative Peace Jirga, HRU-UNAMA has been advocating for accountability and inclusivity in the process of developing the Afghan Peace and Reintegration Program (APRP). As the framework of the APRP was imprecise and created uncertainty with regard to certain aspects of the reintegration process, HRU-UNAMA has been advocating with the joint secretariat of the High Peace Council to ensure that both the “political amnesty” provisions and the grievance resolution process are clearly understood as not applicable to gross violations of human rights and serious violations of international humanitarian law, and that effective vetting of former combatants, prior to determining whether they are eligible for reintegration, is conducted. 46. OHCHR Nepal has continued its advocacy on the prospective establishment of vetting mechanisms in Nepal, including through direct engagement with, and technical assistance to, the security forces. In particular, it has taken a position in a number of cases relating to promotions and/or appointments to public positions of individuals against whom there are credible allegations of human rights violations. OHCHR Nepal has also engaged in developing a vetting policy for United Nations peacekeeping operations, given the important contribution provided by Nepali security forces in those operations. 10 12 See E/CN.4/2005/Add.1, principle 36.

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