2015 Edition of the Training Course "National Human Rights Institutions on the International Human Rights System"

4 – 8 May 2015, Geneva, Switzerland – For the second year, UNITAR is contributing to the implementation of a five-day training course on International Human Rights System. The training course – developed by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), the International Coordination Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (ICC NHRIs) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), with the support of UNITAR – is addressed to staff of the NHRIs from all regions of the world and aims at increasing NHRIs’ awareness of and participation in the United Nations Human Rights Mechanisms.

National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) are independent institutions of the state with a constitutional or legislative mandate in accordance with the Paris Principles. These institutions have a significant and crucial role to play in promoting and monitoring the effective implementation of International Human Rights. They act as a bridge between the international and the national human rights mechanisms hence strengthening Human Rights on the ground.

Nowadays over 100 National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) operate around the world. This recognition increases the opportunities for NHRIs to contribute to the promotion and protection of Human Rights at the international level, playing a role in the discussions held at the level of the UN General Assembly, the UN Human Rights Council and its processes and of the UN treaty bodies.

To maximize the outcomes of this participation and contribution, the training is designed to strengthen NHRIs’ capacities to effectively engage with United Nations Human Rights mechanisms at all stages including reporting, participation in meetings and follow up in the respective country.

NHRI representatives from 14 different countries are taking part in the training and will be able, at the end of it, to identify concrete opportunities for NHRIs’ effective engagement; illustrate practical ways of effective engagement with the UN mechanisms, such as reporting and follow up; and discuss experiences and best practices with peer NHRIs participating the training.

Photo: Participants to the 2015 training course edition