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Proposed Commonwealth National Human Rights Institution Forum

Proposed Commonwealth National Human Rights Institution Forum. Human Rights Unit Commonwealth Secretariat 28 February 2007. Rationale for the Forum. Advance Commonwealth values: advance the Commonwealth’s commitment to the promotion and respect for human rights

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Proposed Commonwealth National Human Rights Institution Forum

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  1. Proposed Commonwealth National Human Rights Institution Forum Human Rights Unit Commonwealth Secretariat 28 February 2007

  2. Rationale for the Forum • Advance Commonwealth values: advance the Commonwealth’s commitment to the promotion and respect for human rights • Similarities: legal structures, shared commitment to Commonwealth values on human rights, good governance and the rule of law. NHRIs from both developed and developing countries can share experiences • Mandate and Objective of HRU: falls within the mandate of the Secretariat, with one of the founding objectives of HRU being the creation and strengthening of NHRIs in the Commonwealth

  3. Rationale for the Forum • Lack of a formal mechanism for CNHRIs: no single and formal forum currently exists which can effectively ascertain, consolidate and transmit, within the Commonwealth system, the common concerns and views of NHRIs • Interaction with Commonwealth Heads of Government: increased access, dialogue and interaction with Commonwealth Heads of Government especially during their meetings (CHOGM)

  4. Rationale for the Forum • Various Functions:consider the following functions (non-exhaustive and prescriptive): • promote/facilitate exchange of ideas & expertise on improving performance, capacity and independence • promote/facilitate partnership between CNHRIs themselves and between CNHRIs and bilateral and international partners • facilitate the process towards establishment, where conditions are right, of NHRIs in member countries presently lacking these

  5. Rationale for the Forum • allow for collective (consensus-based) expressions of support, encouragement or concern, in relation to particular events and developments in individual CNHRIs • coordinate and articulate the development of common positions on issues affecting CNHRIs.

  6. Organisation of the Forum • Permanent or Rotating or No Secretariat?: • fully operational secretariat: permanent • sitting chair to host: rotating • regional chapters or coordinators • periodic meetings: CHOGM, HRC, ICC • location & financial implications

  7. Points to Consider • Rationale, purpose, objectives and functions of the Forum • Membership, accreditation, and criteria for membership • Subscription and rules of procedure • Organisation of the Forum: secretariat, its structure and form • Role of, or relationship with, other organisations or existing fora • Role of the Human Rights Unit • Way forward post-March 2007: Steering Committee? Meeting on the sidelines of the Kampala CHOGM? Thank you

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