New platform for dialogue and interaction

by Sarath Malalasekera

Commonwealth Conference of National Human Rights Institutions was held at "Mariborough House", Commonwealth Secretariat, London recently.

The conference which was opened by the Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon, brought together 44 Commissioners including Justice D.Jayawickrema, Commissioner of Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and senior officials from the participating institutions drawn from 23 Commonwealth countries.

Recognising the significant role that National Human Rights Institutions play in promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Human Rights Unit of the Commonwealth Secretariat organised the National Human Rights Institutions and other human rights related bodies such as ombudsmen institutions in the Commonwealth.

It reviewed the activities of all national Human Rights Institutions in the Commonwealth and discussed how such institutions caould be strengthened, exchanged experiences of protecting and promoting human rights in the Commonwealth and examined challenges faced by national human rights institutions.

Justice Jayawickrema said that delegates also discussed the UN principles relating to the Status of National Institutions (Paris Principles) as well as the Commonwealth Best Practices for National Human Rights institutions.

Delegates shared experiences and good practices in monitoring, protecting and advocating for human rights including the use of the international, regional and national systems and identified constraints and challenges by national human rights institutions in the Commonwealth.

The Confab, in conclusion agreed to the proposal made by the Commonwealth Human Rights Unit for an establishment of a Commonwealth Forum for National Human Rights Institutions, the primary purpose of would be to serve as a platform for strengthening the capacity of national human rights institutions to protect and promote human rights in the Commonwealth, Justice Jayawickrema said.

It was also agreed that the main objectives of the Forum will include:-

To promote increased access, dialogue and interaction with Commonwealth Heads of Government especially during their meetings (CHOGM), with members of civil society during CHOGM related events, within other NHRI gatherings, and within the UN human rights mechanisms.

To allow for collective expressions of support, encouragement or concern, as may be the case, in relation to particular events and developments in individual Commonwealth NHRIs from time to time, for the better defence and promotion of human rights.

The Conference further agreed to set-up a Steering Committee to clearly define these objectives and modalities of establishing the Forum and to define its structure, mandate and scope of activity.