Germany, Australia, Morocco and Chile

SAVE THE DATE

The Permanent Missions of

Germany, Australia, Morocco and Chile

jointly with the

International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions

will co-host a Side-Event

at the 60th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women on

Demonstrating the value of NHRI participation in the Commission on the Status of Women

Date: Tuesday, 15 March 2016

Time: 4:45 – 6pm

Venue: CR-A (UNHQ)

National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) play a key role in the international human rights system. Established by governments, yet operating independently, they are unique institutions established to monitor, report on and support efforts for the implementation of UN commitments and recommendations. In their cooperation with the UN, NHRIs enrich the human rights debate and contribute to ensuring the international sphere responds to human rights situations on the ground. The UN strongly encourages States to establish NHRIs that comply with the Paris Principles (a resolution adopted by the General Assembly in 1993).

The event will engage State Ministers and A-status NHRIs from around the globe in a demonstration of the value of NHRI participation at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Paris Principle compliant (or A-status) NHRIs will share examples of how their organisations have enhanced the work of the CSW through the empowerment of women and girls. Following on from the General Assembly Resolution on national human rights institutions (A/RES/70/163) of 2015 the event will consider how measures or processes can be established to strengthen the independent participation of NHRIs at CSW.

How can CSW strengthen NHRI participation to enhance the collective effort to promote, protect and respect gender equality and women’s and girls’ human rights?

CONCEPT NOTE

Demonstrating the value of NHRI participation in the CSW

In Resolution A/C.3/70/L.49 the General Assembly encouraged the Commission on the Status of Women to “further enhance the participation of national human rights institutions compliant with the Paris Principles and to allow for their contribution to CSW”.

CSW now has an unprecedented opportunity to consider the value of the contribution of NHRIs and extend the independent participation rights for A-status NHRIs to the Commissionsuch as those that already operateat the UN Human Rights Council (HRC). Such participation rights for A-Status NHRIs would provide CSW with crucial expertise as well as an opportunity to foster important national partners in the implementation of international human rights standards at the domestic level.

This side event, co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Germany, Australia, Morocco and Chile and held jointly with the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions, will provide an opportunity to hear directly from NHRIs on their work on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girl. There will be an opportunity to explore the current participation practice for NHRIs in CSW and the feasibility of how this participation could be enhanced through the development of measures for independent participation such as those that exist at the HRC.

Background

NHRIs are independent bodies established by law by governmentsfor the promotion and protection of human rights in their countries. Their mandate and status is unique and they are key players in the furtherance of the principles of the UN Charter. The ParisPrinciples set out the minimum standards by which NHRIs should be established and carryout their mandate, and it is against these principles that the independence and credibility ofNHRIs is assessed. The Paris Principles (3c) require national institutions to cooperate withinternational human rights mechanisms. Participation for A-status NHRIs at CSW can assist them tofulfil their responsibility to cooperate with the UN.

NHRIs provide an important bridge to close the critical implementation gap: they are mechanisms for the national application of international standards, with full understanding of the local context; and they are trusted and legitimate partners to report to international bodies the human rights situation on the ground. NHRIs have a critical role to play in promoting and protecting women and girls human rights at the domestic and international level.

The Commission on the Status of Women has previously recognised the role and contributions of NHRIs in its Agreed Conclusions of 2009, 2011, 2013 2014, and 2015. In particular in 2013, CSW acknowledged the important contribution of NHRIs to the elimination of discrimination and violence against women and girls and NHRIs were recognised as institutions to address and change attitudes, behaviours and practices that perpetuate and condone gender stereotypes and all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls.

Whilst support has been expressed for work of NHRIs at the national and international level the independent contribution to the proceedings of CSW is not yet established.

However the importance of extending the participation of NHRIs within UN processes has most recently been recognised in the General Assembly Resolution on national human rights institutions (A/RES/70/163). This resolution was adopted by consensus by the General Assembly in December 2015. Paragraph 16 of the GA resolution states:

16. Encourages all relevant United Nations mechanisms and processes, in accordance with their respective mandates, including the Commission on the Status of Women, the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the high-level political forum, to further enhance the participation of national human rights institutions compliant with the Paris Principles and to allow for their contribution to these United Nations mechanisms and processes, bearing in mind the relevant provisions dealing with their participation contained in General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006, Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1, 5/2 and 16/21 and Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/74;

Current participation arrangements for A-status NHRIs

NHRIs officially engage with UN bodies and mechanisms by submitting information and parallel reports to treaty bodies, submitting a stakeholder report to the UPR, meeting with Special Rapporteurs during country visits, as well as monitoring and encouraging the implementation of UN recommendations.

At the Human Rights Council, A-status NHRIs are entitled to have full observer status, have separate seating from governments and ECOSOC-accredited NGOs, have their own NHRI badge, make oral statements (in person or video) to the HRC on any agenda item, make written statements (no more than 2000 words); submit other documents (e.g. investigation reports, studies, publications); attend informal consultations and working groups, organise parallel events and move freely throughout the UN’s Palais des Nations in Geneva during UNHRC sessions.

At CSW, NHRIs may attend only if invited by their government as part of its official delegation, or through ECOSOC accredited non-governmental organisations. Neither of these options genuinely reflect the independent status of NHRIs as envisaged by the UN. The HRC demonstrates best practice for the participation of NHRIs within the UN system.

Advancing NHRI Engagement at CSW

In light of the 2015 GA resolution (A/RES/70/163) and the recognition of NHRIs by Member States, CSW is encouraged to consider the enhancement of the participation of NHRIs compliant with the Paris Principles to allow for their future contribution to the Commission.

The CSW is encouraged to considerwhat procedures or measures are necessary to give effect to the enhanced participation of NHRIs on a continuing basis. The enhanced participation of NHRIs could include:

-Independent registration and ID badge to participate at CSW (distinct and separate to government and NGO registration)

-Standing to submit written and oral statements

-Standing to organise Side Events and Parallel Events

-Identified seating within the CSW chamber

-Observer status for negotiations on the Agreed Conclusions and CSW Resolutions

Experience has shown that A-status NHRI participation is possible within the tight schedules of UN sessions. The HRC provides us with a good example of how NHRI participation works in practice. At the HRC time is allocated amongst different stakeholders andindividual NHRIs have a three minute time limit. The participation of NHRIs at HRCsessions has proven manageable and efficient. This existing practice provides a useful guide for how the participation of NHRIs could be similarly enhanced within CSW.

For enquiries please contact the Australian Mission (phone +1 212 351 6626; email ).

Event Program

10.00Opening Remarks

• Chair
• Ministers from sponsoring State members (2)

10.15Speakers from NHRIs (2-3)

10.45Speaker from ICC/APF

10.55Speaker from UN Women

11.00Open to comments and questions from the Floor

11.10Closing remarks (Chair)

11.15 Close

Draft Invitation List

• Permanent Mission Representatives
• ICC/APF representatives
• NHRIs
• UN Women
• UNDP
• OHCHR
• ISHR
• NGOs