CNDH HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF NHRI INVOLVEMENT IN EXAMINING IMPLEMENTATION OF TREATY OBLIGATIONS BY STATE PARTIES

CNDH highlighted in Geneva the importance of involvement of national human rights institutions in examining implementation of treaty obligations and of strengthening capacities of these institutions in the field of treaty practice.

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) stressed, during the discussion of the report of the SG on “Effective implementation of international human rights instruments”, on 4 March 2011, the importance of strengthening cooperation and complementarity between treaty bodies and NHRIs. This debate is organized within the framework of the 16th session of UN Human Rights Council, held in Geneva from 28 February to 25 March 2011.

It was indicated that the National Human Rights Council (Morocco) and the National Human Rights Commission (Mauritania) will organize the 7th meeting of Arab National Human Rights Institutions, in Nouakchott from 27 to 28 April 2011. The theme of this meeting will be: “Role of NHRIs in monitoring the implementation of treaty bodies recommendations”.

The choice of this theme falls within the scope of NHRIs prerogatives that, in accordance with the Paris Principles, they contribute to the reports which States are required to submit to UN committees and to regional institutions, pursuant to their treaty obligations. NHRIs are also called to cooperate with the UN and all its agencies as well as regional institutions, for the protection and promotion of human rights.

The outcome of this meeting would contribute to:

- Strengthening cooperation and complementarity between treaty bodies and Arab NHRIs in their role of promoting and protecting human rights;

- Operationalizing the involvement of NHRIs in examining the implementation by the state parties of their treaty obligations and including observations and recommendations of treaty bodies in the human rights education training programs, in particular at regional level;

- Strengthening the capacity of Arab NHRIs regarding the follow-up and implementation of recommendations and observations made by treaty bodies;

- Adopting a unified regional strategy to promote the implementation of treaty bodies recommendations by States Parties;

- Encouraging exchange of experiences and best practices relative to the monitoring and the implementation of treaty bodies’ recommendations;

- Encouraging the creation of a regional platform for dialogue in order to implement the recommendations of the UPR Working Group.

The report of the SG on “Effective implementation of international human rights instruments” was submitted during the 16th session of the UN Human Rights Council. It sheds light on the UN efforts to improve treaty bodies system.