Human Rights mainstreaming

37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

Annual High-Level Panel discussion on Human Rights mainstreaming

Geneva - February 26, 2018

Thank you, Mister President.

CCIG, on behalf of a coalition of 17 NGOs, welcomes the annual high-level panel discussion on human rights mainstreaming aiming to support the implementation of UPR recommendations.¹ 

While we recognize the progress States have made to ensure the effective functioning of the UPR, we stress the need for a more systematic evaluation of the implementation status of recommendations.

Accordingly, we welcome the recent initiative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to address letters to each Member State reviewed during the 27th UPR Session, calling on the State under Review to “develop a national human rights action plan in order to achieve concrete results” regarding UPR recommendations and to strengthen “the national mechanism for comprehensive follow up”.

Based on its direct experience working with local human rights defenders in over one hundred countries, this NGO coalition is convinced that the establishment of National Mechanisms for Reporting and Follow Up (NMRFs) would greatly advance not only the implementation of UPR recommendations, but also the work of other human rights bodies, such as the Special Procedures and Treaty bodies.

Therefore, we welcome the valuable contributions and inputs provided in the current panel discussion and we call upon all Member States to set up or strengthen national mechanisms for reporting and follow-up in order to enhance efforts of relevant ministries and consultation with Civil Society, leading to a more effective implementation of UPR recommendations and, ultimately, to better human rights protection worldwide.

Thank you, Mister President.

Joint Oral Statement
Submitted by

CCIG – Centre Catholique International de Genève

Co-signed by

Associazione Comunità Papa Giovanni XXIII

Caritas Internationalis

Compagnie des Filles de la Charité de St Vincent de Paul

Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd

Dominicans for Justice and Peace (Order of Preachers)

Edmund Rice International

Fédération internationale de l’Action des chrétiens pour l’abolition de la torture

Fondazione Marista per la Solidarietà Internazionale ONLUS

International Volunteerism Organization for Women, Education, Development

Istituto Internazionale Maria Ausiliatrice

Mouvement International d’Apostolat des Milieux Sociaux Indépendants

Office International de l’enseignement catholique

Réseau Crescendo

Vie Montante Internationale

VIVAT International

World Evangelical Alliance

¹ Concept note, Annual high-level panel discussion on human rights mainstreaming “The promotion and protection of human rights in the light of the universal periodic review mechanism: challenges and opportunities”.