Global Human Rights Strengthening Programme (GHRSP; ) Human Rights and Justice Communities of Practice Meeting (BRC) Palais des Nations ( ) Zanofer Ismalebbe, UNDP Geneva

Background: Conceptualisation and drafting (Mar – Sept. 2006) Political trends: (UN HRs Reforms, 2005 OHCHR Plan of Action, Action-2, 2005 Outcome Document, and development within bilateral partners (OECD/DAC, WB) Internal programming and policy trends and clear demands: (HURIST Programme experience ( ), Global Human Rights Reviews Workshop (NY, 2005), HURIST external evaluation (2005), policy/practice notes (since 1998), etc. Very broad consultations (Bureaux/Groups/Regional Centres/CSO Advisory Committee to the Administrator etc). PAC approval on 25 September 2006 (all bureaux & practices) Operational since March 2008!!!

Key Features: Strengthened Institutional Leadership and Ownership. Programme and Policy Alignment. UN Reform Alignment. Internal and External Capacity Development. Strong Focus on Internal and External Partnerships. Knowledge Management, Codification and Sharing Fully guided by the UN Common Understanding on a HRBA to Programming. Strong linkages to SP (HRs) Outcomes/Indicators; UNDP Service Area; and new BDP Services.

Overall Objective: “To contribute to a corporate strategy for fully integrating human rights into UNDP policies, programmes and processes and provide meaningful guidance to the application of a human rights-based approach to UNDP programming processes”

Specific Objectives: To support the strengthening of national human rights systems. To promote the understanding and application of a HRBA to development programming. To strengthen the engagement with the international human rights machinery. To provide programming and capacity development support. To build and enhance partnerships. Outputs: 12 Budget: USD $ 8.2 million

Overview on the Contents: Supporting the Strengthening of National Human Rights Systems: (on areas where additional policies need to be explored and developed; field testing/piloting and documenting lessons (on police reform and human rights, access to justice practice note etc.) Promoting the Application of a Human Rights-Based Approach to Development: (Human Rights-Based CP Reviews; development of generic programming tools; strengthen human rights in all Practice Areas - Continue ongoing Anti-corruption and human rights; water governance and human rights, and decentralised governance etc.) Greater Engagement with International Human Rights Machinery: (Develop future engagement strategy; review of the MoU/partnership with the OHCHR etc.)

Programming and Capacity Development Support: (Strong emphasis on internal capacity development (enhanced partnership with CDG, LRC etc); Common Learning Package; support to development of region-specific strategies; knowledge management and codification/link global knowledge platform etc.) Building/Enhancing Partnership: (Strengthened partnerships foreseen (with UN agencies, governments, bi- lateral and NGOs); two key elements: a) joint UNDP/partner(s) HRBA pilots (new modality); b) tapping the NGO expertise on the subject. The Consultative Group – academics, bilateral, national partners, COs/RCs and CSO representatives

Implementation Status: 1st Project Board meeting (17/03/2008; Chaired by BDP Director) 2008 Overall workplan: RBAS; RBLAC; CSO Division (PB); BRC (Bratislava); BRC (Bangkok); CRC; PC; EEG, PG, GEF/Small Grants Programme, DGG, DGG/PG and DGG/BCPR. 28 Partners (13 outside UNDP)

Key Selected Outputs for 2008: UNCT Toolkit for collaboration with NHRIs (with OHCHR). UNDP Resource Guide/Toolkit on Minorities in Development (with OHCHR and the UN Independent Expert on Minority Issues). UNDP Global Guide on HRBA to Access to Justice and Rule of Law Programming. Study on UNDP’s niche in supporting the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. MDG Needs Assessment Models with an HRBA and integrate HRBA into (first & update versions of) MDG Guide for governments. “Guidance Paper” on the complementarity between HRBA and Conflict Sensitive Approaches to development. Issues paper on the complementarities and value-added of HRBA and Integrated Water Management Resource Approaches. Indigenous Peoples strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Comparative study on the status and gaps on freedom of information legislation and policies in selected Asian countries. Capacity mapping of NHRIs in the Arab region & CEDAW compliance. Documenting case studies and legislative drafting on the denial of property rights of women affected by HIV/AIDS (Countries: India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, in South Asia and Cambodia or Vietnam in East Asia). Capacity development for legislative drafting to advance CEDAW legislative compliance and human rights compliant HIV relevant laws (Pacific Island Countries).