In March 2007, Hotline Asia issued UA070319(2) to support a Global Petition [www.actforspecialprocedures.org] initiated by international human rights organizations to support a strengthened system of Special Procedures at the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council, during its review process.

The review of the system of Special Procedures by the Human Rights Council is still on-going. The Council is holding its 5th session in Geneva from 11-18 June 2007, where a decision on the UN Special Procedures and other international human rights mechanisms will be finalized.

One of the fears expressed by some Asian NGOs was the direction of majority of Council members, which attempts to erode effectiveness of the international human rights mechanisms and to derogate from international human rights standards. Positions of many Asian governments to advocate for State control of independent human rights mechanisms, for example, is a worrying trend. The review also carries a risk of weakening the current system of special procedures that have made a significant contribution to protect human rights and to empower human rights defenders.

The months leading up to the sessions in June are therefore critical in ensuring the review results in an effective system of Special Procedures.

In response, Forum Asia, together with more than 46 Asian NGOs have initiated to co-sponsor the Asian NGOs position on the issues of Institutional-building issues of the UN Human Rights Council. This document, which is open for endorsement to other interested Asian NGOs until 7 June 2007, will be used as a lobbying document for the forthcoming 5th Session of the Human Rights Council.

Details of the statement can be found at Forum Asia's web site:
http://www.forum-asia.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=248&Itemid=109.

The International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) which has been actively involved in the Global Petition, as well as advocacy in the process of review, also provides a number of position papers and an advocacy kit to assist activists and NGOs in their efforts to support the Special Procedures system in the context of review.

The kit gives information about some important issues under debate and includes implications and some possible advocacy messages under each issue of concern. Finally, it also suggests what can be done by NGOs working at different levels to ensure a review which ensures better protection to human rights, instead of limiting it.

The Advocacy kit and other position papers are available at the ISHR web site: [http://www.ishr.ch/] under "Liaison, Coordination and Advocacy" section.

More information and updates about the progress of the review can be found at the official web site of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
[http://www.ohchr.org/english/bodies/chr/special/].

Source:
Forum Asia
ISHR
OHCHR
Solidarity for Asian People¡¦s Advocacy (SAPA)