INTERNATIONAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE OF

NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR THE PROMOTION AND

PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (ICC)

ICC Bureau

ICC24 General Meeting

May 2011 - Geneva

ICC 24 Progress Report

on

Strategic Plan 2010-13/

Operational Plan 2010-11

Introduction

The fifteen months from March 2010 to May 2011 have been ones of intense activity and significant development for the ICC.

During that time:

  • more National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) than ever before have engaged with the Human Rights Council, Treaty Bodies, Special Procedures and other United Nations mechanisms
  • the Human Rights Council Review recommended changes advocated by the ICC that will strengthen NHRI participation in the Council and related bodies
  • the Biennial Conference on Business and Human Rights, in Edinburgh, Scotland in October 2010, showcased the work NHRIs are already doing to promote respect for human rights in the business sector, as well as acting as a challenge to further build our capacity and effectiveness
  • organisationally significant steps have been taken towards institution building, including satisfactory financial audits for 2009 and 2010 and redevelopment of the website.

Those, and other achievements have been possible because of the leadership and contributions of the ICC Secretary; ICC Regional Chairpeople, Bureau members; the National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms team; support from Commissioners, Executive Director and staff of the New Zealand Human Rights Commission; and the highly skilled and very effective ICC Geneva-based Representative Ms Katharina Rose.

This report is presented in two parts. First a table summarising progress under each of the six strategic objectives:

  • maintain and strengthen the accreditation process
  • enhance engagement with the UN and Human Rights Regional Frameworks
  • build partnerships and engage external stakeholders
  • develop knowledge and internal communications
  • support the strengthening of regional organisations and coordinating committees
  • ensure that the ICC has a level of resources adequate to ensure its independence, viability and sustainability
  • organisation and management of the ICC.

The second part comprises four annexes:

  1. Human Rights Council ICC strategic engagement
  2. Human Rights Council Review
  3. ICC Campaign for independent participation rights at the UN Commission on the Status of Women
  4. Edinburgh Declaration

Each of these provides further details and, in some cases, propose further action.

1

ICC OPERATIONAL PLAN

2010-2011

Progress Report for ICC24

INTRODUCTION

An intense and significant advanced engagement with the UN.

Highlights have been

-The number of NHRIs engaging

-Achievements during the HRC review process.

Organisationally, significant steps towards institution building

-Biennial Conference

-Two satisfactory audits (see Finance Committee report)

-Increased membership fee payments (see finance committee report)

-Steps taken to achieve tax exemption

-Steps taken to implement fundraising strategy

-Redevelopment of the website.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 1: TO MAINTAIN AND STRENGTHEN THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS
Activity / Outputs / Progress Report

Ongoing activities

  1. Tailor and contextualise SCA recommendations
/ Record context and background in which the recommendation was developed / The SCA, through its twice-yearly session reports, currently records the background and context in which the recommendation was developed. For example, in its March/ April 2010 report, the SCA recognized the unique situation of the United Kingdom in its assessment of the accreditation status of the Scottish Human Rights Commission.
  1. Improve accessibility to SCA process for NHRIs and others
/ Translation of documents; improved information on nhri.net / The translation of documents and site administration is under the competence of the ICC Secretariat (NIRMs). In addition, in the Decision Paper on the Review of General Observations, the SCA Working Group has proposed a number of strategies to increase stakeholder awareness, which aims to improve accessibility to the SCA process for NHRIs and others.

Development activities

  1. Strengthen support for NHRIs’ preparations for ICC accreditation process
/ Review mechanisms and develop recommendations for ICC Bureau / With the support of the ICC Secretariat (NIRMs), the SCA continues to facilitate the application process for accreditation, through, for example, user-friendly tools such as, ''The compilation of working methods,'' which reduces all rules, procedures and guidelines developed by the SCA, into a single document.
  1. Strengthen transparency in accreditation process
/ Review of current processes, including review of General Observations / It was agreed at the March 2010 ICC Bureau meeting that it was not appropriate to have the SCA conduct a review of the transparency of its own procedure, but rather that it be conducted by a Working Group composed of ICC members.
Regarding the review of the development and application of its General Observations, the SCA has established a Working Group chaired by David Langtry. Please see the Decision Paper on the Review of General Observations, for further details.
  1. Strengthen systematic follow up to SCA recommendations
/ Review and develop recommendations for follow up procedure as detailed in ICC Strategic Plan / The ICC Secretariat (NIRMS) has developed a practice of following up with applicants on the implementation of the recommendations of the SCA. Regional coordinators are encouraged to contribute to this monitoring.
  1. Consider developing procedures for speedy consideration for suspension of A status accredited NHRIs
/ Review of current procedures, discussion on possible next steps / See the Recommendation of the SCA to the ICC Bureau on the Proposed Amendment to the ICC Statute.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2: TO ENHANCE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE UN AND HR REGIONAL FRAMEWORKS
Activity / Outputs / Progress Report

Ongoing activities

  1. Provide support to NHRIs engaging with UN mechanisms, particularly HRC 14, 15 and 16 plus UPR, treaty bodies and special procedures.
Provide support to NHRIs in their follow up activities / Information sharing; advisory services; representation of NHRIs in meetings; facilitation of exchange of experiences and lessons learned, and development of good practice; selected side event; reporting and liaising with NHRIs / A key focus of ICC Geneva-based Representative’s activities during the reporting period was to offer targeted support and advice to ICC members engaging with UN mechanisms.
Expert advice was provided to ICC members and regional coordinating bodies on opportunities to engage with, and follow up to, the Human Rights Council (HRC)14, HRC15 and HRC 16, the UPR 8 and 9 sessions and the sessions of the HR Committee, CEDAW, CAT, CRC, CESCR, CMW, CERD and the SPT.
The ICC Geneva-based Representative offered support to members when preparing their contributions and presentations to UN bodies and coordinated for them meetings with OHCHR, experts from Special Procedures and treaty bodies, and with States and NGOs. The ICC also facilitated the hosting of NHRI side events to HRC and to UPR sessions and promoted the participation of ICC members to HRC panel discussions and other expert meetings organized by OHCHR, States or NGOs.
Over the reporting period, ICC members participated in UN human rights processes in a number of ways, in particular in the UPR, in treaty body sessions and in Special Procedures country missions and follow up thereto, indicating an ongoing influence of international human rights mechanisms to ensure these are informed by the NHRIs’ concerns and recommendations.
  1. Engage with Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures
/ ICC representation in annual meetings of treaty bodies and Special Procedures / The ICC Chair represented the ICC at the Annual Meeting of Special Procedures and the Inter Committee Meeting (ICM) of the human rights treaty bodies in June 2010.
In January 2011, the African Network Regional Chair and President of the Advisory Council on Human Rights of Morocco, Ahmed Herzenni, represented the ICC at the ICM Working Group meeting on TB follow up.

Development activities

  1. ICC strategic engagement with HRC and its mechanisms, including HRC review
/ Develop and implement strategic engagement, including representation at key meetings on HRC review, as well as CSW / ICC strategic engagement with the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms
This strategic objective is aimed at advocating for ICC members’ participation in the Council and its mechanisms and at promoting ICC thematic priorities and more effectively ensuring NHRI recognition within the Council. Over the reporting period, ICC strategic engagement and advocacy significantly contributed to advancing ICC thematic priorities at the Council and its mechanisms in ICC key priority areas such as NHRIs and human rights and business; NHRIs and the rights of indigenous peoples; NHRIs and human rights education and training; NHRIs’ standing at the Commission on the Status of Women; NHRIs and the rights of persons with disabilities; and ICC strategic engagement on the development of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
See Annex I for further details.
Human Rights Council review
A major focus of ICC advocacy during the reporting period was the development and implementation of an ICC policy position on the review of the Human Rights Council (the Council). In 2010-2011 ICC advocacy and ICC member engagement have successfully influenced the Council review process and secured greater participation rights for Paris Principles compliant NHRIs in the Council and its key mechanisms.
See Annex II for further details.
  1. Engagement with CSW
/ Advocacy for NHRI standing rights / Seven national human rights institutions attended CSW 55, held in New York from 22February-4 March 2011, as part of the advocacy program led by the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (ICC).
The NHRIs at CSW 55 included Australia, Canada, Jordan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand and the Philippines. They were supported by the APF secretariat.
The Australian and Armenian Permanent Missions co-hosted a side event on the independent participation of NHRIs in the work of the CSW. The discussion, which was attended government and civil society representatives, featured presentations from Ms Rosslyn Noonan, Chief Commissioner of the New Zealand Human Rights Commission and ICC Chair, and Dr Muhyieddeen Touq, Commissioner General of the Jordan National Centre for Human Rights and APF Chair.
Effective lobbying by NHRIs, and the support of some governments, ensured that NHRIs were referenced, twice, in the Agreed Conclusions of CSW 55. However, the goal of independent participation of NHRIs at CSW is not yet achieved and requires a strategic review by the ICC and its members.
See Annex III for further details and recommendations.
  1. ICC contributions to OP CRC
/ Strategic engagement paper / The ICC, under the leadership of the Jordan National Centre for Human Rights, prepared a strategic engagement paper and the ICC participated in the negotiations at the open-ended working group on an Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child to provide for a Communications procedure.
See Annex I
  1. Strengthen cooperation with Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures
/ ICC strategic engagement to promote harmonization of working methods and cooperation between TB, SP and NHRIs / ICC strategic engagement with Special Procedures
On 29 June 2010, the ICC Chairperson participated in the Annual Meeting of Special Procedures (SP) and presented a statement on cooperation between NHRIs and SP. The ICC Chairperson subsequently met with the OHCHR SP Branch’s Director Jane Connors to discuss areas of strengthened cooperation between Special Procedures and NHRIs and the ICC.
On 30 June 2010, the ICC organised a side event on the role of national human rights institutions on follow up to recommendations from SP. The event was chaired by OHCHR Director Jane Connors and heard contributions from the ICC Chair, the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and the Independent Expert on Haiti. The event was designed to improve awareness among SP experts and the wider community of the value and importance of NHRIs in ensuring effective follow up to SP recommendations.
ICC strategic engagement with Treaty Bodies
A strategic purpose of the ICC’s engagement with the Treaty Bodies (TB) is to strengthen cooperation between TB and NHRIs and to influence the development of TB working methods that facilitate NHRI contribution opportunities to TB processes.
As a direct result of previous ICC advocacy, the ICC was invited to contribute to the TB reform process with suggestions on improving the work of TB from the perspective of NHRIs. To this end, in June 2010, at the invitation of the Advisory Council on Human Rights of Morocco, NHRIs from all four ICC regions met in Marrakech in June 2010, with treaty body experts and staff of the OHCHR, to discuss strengthening the relationship between NHRIs and the human rights treaty body system. The Marrakech Statement, adopted at the end of the meeting, sets out NHRI commitments towardsthe strengthening of the TB process and provides concrete recommendations to TB and States.[1]
At the Inter Committee Meeting of Treaty Bodies (ICM) on 30 June 2010, the ICC Chairperson presented the Marrakech Statement to members of the TB. In her statement, she encouraged harmonization of working methods and identified concrete best practice examples of TB and NHRI cooperation to bring practical meaning to each of the grounds of collaboration set out in the Marrakech Statement.[2]
The ICC was subsequently invited to participate in the ICM Working Group (WG) meeting on TB follow up and cooperation with NHRIs on 12 January 2011. In his address on behalf of the ICC, ICC Regional Chair Ahmed Herzenni encouraged i) TB to harmonise working methods in relation to follow up; ii) TB to consider how NHRIs could be effectively involved in the TB follow up processes; and iii) OHCHR to develop a capacity building program in cooperation with the ICC and ICC regional bodies, with a view to enabling NHRIs to give and receive training in relation to follow up to TB recommendations and TB reporting.[3]
On 17 January 2011, the ICC Chairperson met with the Secretaries of the TB, to discuss practical steps to advance collaboration between NHRIs and the TB on the basis of the Harmonized Approach and the Marrakech Statement. Amongst others, OHCHR NIRMS resolved to develop a practical guidance note for NHRIs’ engagement with TB.
In a statement to the HRC 16, the ICC reiterated its commitment to actively contribute to the TB reform process.[4]The Marrakech Statement and other ICC recommendations will inform the report of the High Commissioner on strengtheningthe TB process, which will be finalised by the end of 2011.
Additional to objectives / Development of a draft declaration on human rights education and training / A declaration on human rights and education and training was adopted at HRC16. The ICC contribution was lead by the Moroccan Advisory Council on Human Rights.
See Annex I
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 3: TO BUILD PARTNERSHIPS AND ENGAGE EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS
Activity / Outputs / Progress Report

Development activities

  1. Outreach to partners and key stakeholders
/ Strengthen cooperation with IOI, IOI attendance of ICC Bureau meeting in October 2010 and ICC24
Develop relationship with UNDP
Develop cooperation with NGOs (regular Geneva meetings)
Undertake selected presentations to key stakeholders on role and value of NHRIs in the international frameworks / During the reporting period, the ICC has developed and strengthened strategic partnerships with a wide range of international organisations, NGOs and academic institutions and individuals.
Cooperation with IOI
At the invitation of the ICC, IOI Secretary General (SG) Peter Kostelka participated in the Edinburgh Conference in October 2010. While in Edinburgh, IOI SG addressed the ICC Bureau meeting and met with the ICC Chairperson and OHCHR NIRMS to discuss cooperation perspectives between the two organisations. The IOI and its members will also be invited to participate in ICC 24.
Partnership with UNDP
In February 2011, a meeting was held with between the UNDP, ICC and OHCHR to discuss the partnership. The meeting took place in New York where the parties were already gathered for the Committee on the Status of Women. ICC was represented by the Chair and Dr Muhyieddeen Touq, Commissioner General of the Jordan National Centre for Human Rights. Ms Pip Dargan, Deputy Director of the Asia Pacific Forum (APF) was also present. The OHCHR was represented by Mr Vladlen Stefanov, Chief of NIRMs.
The parties agreed to enter into a tripartite partnership through an exchange of letters in time for presentation to ICC 24. Key elements of the partnership were to:
  • establish an annual UNDP-OHCHR-ICC strategic review of the establishment, development and effectiveness of NHRIs
  • engagement with the UN human rights mechanisms
  • joint NHRI capacity assessment and gap analysis projects
  • engagement on thematic issues
  • information and knowledge management.
Within the framework of the partnership, a UNDP-OHCHR-ICC working session should be convened on an annual basis, with a mechanism for contributions from regional coordinating networks.
Among the thematic issues for future UNDP/OHCHR/ICC collaboration, the following items of the 24th annual ICC Meeting in May 2011 were mentioned and discussed: NHRI best practice in following up on Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations; NHRI treaty body engagement; NHRIs and Indigenous Peoples' rights; the role of the NHRIs in the protection of women rights; follow up on the Durban Review Conference and NHRIs; Human Rights Education; Business and Human Rights. See Annex V
Presentations by the ICC Chairperson and cooperation with Geneva-based NGOs
During her visits to Geneva, the ICC Chairperson engaged with key stakeholders andpartners in a number of ways. In particular she held numerous bilateral and multilateral meetings to discuss the role and value of NHRIs in UN human rights processes.
In June 2010, the ICC Chairperson gave a presentation on the ICC and NHRIs at a public meeting organised by the ICC for all Member States accredited by the United Nations. She also gave a presentation to OHCHR staff on the ICC and the OHCHR handbook on NHRIs. During the Council review process, the ICC Chairperson and the ICC Geneva-based Representative gave presentations to States’ regional and political groupings and to NGOs on the role and value of NHRIs in the Council and its mechanisms.
During each of her visits to Geneva the ICC Chairperson has met with Geneva-based NGOs, to discuss strategic priorities and cooperation opportunities.
UPR – Info Advisory Board
UPR-Info.org is a non-profit organisation that helps raising awareness and providing capacity-building tools to the key actors of the UPR process such as UN members States, NHRIs and NGOs. In January 2011, the ICC Geneva-based Representative was elected member to the Advisory Board of the organisation. Her representation on the Board will contribute to awareness raising among States, NGOs and the wider community of the value and importance of NHRIs’ contributions in the UPR process.
Brookings, Open Society Justice Initiative and UPR Watch
The ICC was invited to contribute to a high level conference convened in November 2010 in Geneva by Brookings, Open Society Justice Initiative, and UPR-Watch. The conference explored how three of the UN human rights mechanisms – treaty bodies, Special Procedures, and the UPR – can better support implementation of human rights norms at the national level in conjunction with each other, other UN agencies and national actors such as NHRIs. The conference’s outcome report highlights the important role played by NHRIs in bridging the gap between international and national human rights systems and recommends the strengthening of NHRIs’ contributions opportunities to these mechanisms, in line with the ICC advocacy proposals for the HRC review and cooperation with TB and SP. The outcome recommendations of the conference informed the ongoing Council review process.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 4: TO DEVELOP KNOWLEDGE AND INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
Activity / Outputs / Progress Report

Ongoing activities