UN review targets universal coverage of human rights
2 October 2008
Commonwealth seminar provides assistance to Caribbean countries submitting their entries to this complex process
Caribbean countries in the Commonwealth will learn from the experiences of others who have prepared their entries for the UN's Universal Periodic Review at a two-day seminar being held in Barbados on 6 and 7 October 2008.
This review will - for the first time - explore the human rights situations in all United Nations member countries, regardless of size or wealth. It will allow human rights records of these countries - which includes all 53 members of the Commonwealth - to be reviewed every four years.
At this seminar, organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat's Human Rights Unit, all 12 Commonwealth countries in the Caribbean will learn from Tonga, the United Kingdom and Zambia, which have been through the Review in Geneva.
"This seminar is an important opportunity to share Commonwealth experiences and expectations of the new UN review," says Dr Purna Sen, Head of Human Rights at the Secretariat.
Human rights conventions
The Secretariat encourages and assists member countries, particularly small states, with the process of ratifying the major human rights conventions.
"Because it is an unfamiliar process, it is a challenge for some countries," she added. "Our meeting provides an opportunity for those involved to share experiences and examine the best methods to prepare their reports."
The seminar will encourage a three-way conversation between representatives from governments, human rights institutions and NGOs taking part. Delegates from civil society organisations and ombudsman offices representing interests of the public will also be present.
Senior staff from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights - the UN's office charged with promoting and protecting human rights - will facilitate the seminar. A representative from the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, a non-governmental organisation based in India, will also be present throughout discussions.
The seminar is hosted by the Barbados Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is sponsored by the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
delicious
digg
reddit
facebook
stumbleupon