OHCHR – Southern Caucasus Regional Office

Background

During the past biennium a strong understanding has been reached with the United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs) of the Sub-region on the necessity of firmly incorporating human rights concerns within their country programming. To facilitate this process, as well as to enhance the capacity of the Office to advise Governments in the region on the implementation of international human rights standards, a Senior Human Rights Officer will be deployed within the UNCT in Georgia to work on all three countries in the region. 

2006-2007 Programme

 
The work of the Senior Human Rights Officer will be centered around the following areas:

Activities will take place in the framework of the recommendations of the relevant Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures, in the form of follow-up workshops and trainings, as well as targeted technical advice for the amendment of legislation or the design of policies and implementing strategies. Priority areas include the administration of justice, the penal system and the protection of vulnerable groups.

A comprehensive assessment of national development plans/ poverty reduction strategy papers, as well as of UNCTs’ programmes will be conducted. On the basis of this assessment, activities will be designed to further incorporate human rights-based approaches into poverty reduction and economic development strategies.

Strategies will be developed for strengthening local protection mechanisms and enhancing the capacity of civil society organizations to ensure the protection of human rights defenders.

Expected Accomplishments

Government officials, civil society and the public in general will have a better knowledge of international human right standards and how to translate these into national policies, in particular in the administration of justice.

Increased capacity and commitment by the government to implement international human rights standards, in particular those related to vulnerable groups.

Increased use of the rights-based approach to poverty alleviation and economic development efforts by governments, the UNCTs and regional organizations.