Child Rights at the Human Rights Council 34

31 October 2007 - Child Rights at the Human Rights Council 34

 

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Children Have Rights Too!
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Guidelines for NGO contributions to the Universal Periodic Review [publication]

These guidelines complement the information note for NGOs on the Universal Periodic review (UPR), which is available on the OHCHR website at the link below.

These guidelines have been developed by the OHCHR Civil Society Unit, in cooperation with the HRC Secretariat Team, they are to assist NGOs in contributing to the UPR mechanism.

They are an evolving tool; NGOs are encouraged to provide feedback for the OHCHR Civil Society Unit so the guidelines can be improved.

UPR as a process

  • The UPR is to be seen as a process, composed of several steps. The participation of all relevant stakeholders, including NGOs, is encouraged throughout the process.
  • NGOs may wish to ensure that they are included in the broad consultation process organised by the State to prepare information for submission to the UPR.
  • Other relevant stakeholders, including NGOs, may submit additional, credible and reliable information to the universal periodic review. Input received from stakeholders will be summarized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in not more than 10 pages.
  • Other relevant stakeholders, including NGOs, may attend the review in the working group
  • Before the adoption of the outcome by the plenary of the Council, the State concerned should be offered the opportunity to reply to questions or issues; Other relevant stakeholders will have the opportunity to make general comments before the adoption of the outcome by the plenary
  • The outcome of the UPR, as a cooperative mechanism, should be implemented primarily by the State concerned and, as appropriate, by other relevant stakeholders, including NGOs.

Full details on the following is in the attached word document:

  • Information on Written submissions, including its format, length, and content
  • information about participation in the review process undertaken by the working group

Deadline

The deadline for submissions by NGOs to the 1st Universal Periodic Review session (scheduled to be held from 7 to 18 April 2008) has been extended to 20 November 2007.

Countries include:

1. Bahrain 2. Ecuador 3. Tunisia 4. Morocco 5. Indonesia 6. Finland 7. United Kingdom 8. India 9. Brazil 10. Philippines 11. Algeria 12. Poland 13. Netherlands 14. South Africa 15. Czech Republic 16. Argentina

Further information

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    For more information, contact:
    UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights OHCHR-UNOG
    8-14 Avenue de la Paix, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland.
    Tel: +41 22 917 9000; Fax: +41 22 917 9016
    Website: www.unhchr.ch 

    Visit: http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=15320 

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    Nomination Form for Special Procedures [publication]

    The Human Rights Council has established new guidelines to identify Special Procedures mandate holders. NGOs are invited to submit candidates that meet the criteria and requirements.

    The term of Juan Miguel Petit as Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography will be over in March. The mandate will be assessed at the 2008 March session of the Human Rights Council.

    There are at least two specific needs that we as child rights NGOs should address:

    • good candidates for the post of Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children
    • good candidates with strong records and knowledge of children's rights for other mandates

    Who can nominate candidates?

    The following may nominate candidates as special procedures mandate-holders:

    • Governments
    • Regional groups operating within the UN human rights system
    • International organisations or their offices (e.g. OHCHR)
    • Non governmental organisations
    • Other human rights bodies
    • Individuals 

    Those submitting candidates are invited to complete the attached form to facilitate the work of the Secretariat. 

    Submitting entities may wish to take into consideration the terms in office of mandate holders and the time required for the consideration of candidates on the public list by the Consultative Group (as provided for under Human Rights Council decision 5/1).

    How to nominate a candidate?

    1. By email: hrcspecialprocedures@ohchr.org  

    2. By post: HRC Secretariat, c/o Orest Nowosad
    Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
    Room 4-093, Palais des Nations, 8-14 avenue de la Paix, CH-1211, Geneva 10, Switzerland
    Tel: +41 (0)22 917 9223; Fax: +41 (0)22 917 9011).

    Further information

    Visit: http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=15316 

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    Upcoming visits of the UN Special Procedures [event]

    Dates of upcoming visits by the Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council

    Angola
    SR on freedom of religion or belief (20-27 November 2007)
    Visit: http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/religion/index.htm

    Bolivia
    SR on Indigenous Peoples (dates to be confirmed)
    Visit: http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/indigenous/rapporteur/

    Brazil
    SR on summary executions (November 2007)
    Visit: http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/executions/index.htm

    Cuba
    SR on the Right to Food (28 October-6 November 2007)
    Visit: http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/food/index.htm

    Dominican Republic
    Joint mission SR Racism-IE Minorities (Oct. 2007)
    Visit: http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/racism/rapporteur/index.htm

    Estonia
    SR on the sale of children, child pornography, child prostitution (Oct.-Nov. 2007)
    Visit: http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/children/rapporteur/index.htm

    Honduras
    SR on Freedom of Opinion and Expression (25-30 Nov. 2007)
    Visit: http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/opinion/index.htm

    India
    SR Right to Health (20 Nov.-5 Dec. 2007)
    Visit: http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/health/right/

    Russian Federation
    SR independence of judges and lawyers (Oct. 2007)
    Visit: http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/judiciary/index.htm

    Sri Lanka
    RSG Internally Displaced Persons (December 2007)
    Visit: http://www.ohchr.org/english/issues/idp/index.htm

    Further information

    For more information, contact:
    Veronica Birga on vbirga@ohchr.org or
    UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
    OHCHR-UNOG
    8-14 Avenue de la Paix
    1211 Geneva 10
    Tel: 00 41-22 917-9000; Fax: 00 41-22 917-9016
    Website: www.unhchr.ch 

    Visit: http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=15308 

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    This update has been produced by CRIN, in collaboration with the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Subgroup for the Commission on Human Rights. To subscribe, unsubscribe or view archives, visit http://www.crin.org/email.

    Further information is availalbe at www.crin.org/hrc. To submit information, email: info@crin.org or by post: CRIN, c/o Save the Children, 1, St John's Lane, London EC1M 4AR, UK.

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