OHCHR regional offices address the regional dimensions of human rights issues, including specific thematic issues; engage national actors in countries within the region following an assessment of needs and in accordance with OHCHR’s regional strategies; and provide support to UN Country Teams in the region. Where relevant, they also work closely with and support regional organizations.
By early 2008, OHCHR will have regional offices in Addis Ababa (East Africa), Bangkok (Southeast Asia), Beirut (Middle East), Bishkek (Central Asia), Dakar (West Africa), Panama (Latin America, with a small liaison office in Santiago, Chile,where the former South America Regional Office was located), Pretoria (Southern Africa), and Suva (Pacific), and plans to open additional offices covering South-West Asia and North Africa during this biennium.
In addition, OHCHR will increase support to the United Nations subregional centre for human rights and democracy in Central Africa, established in 2001 pursuant to General Assembly Resolution A/Res/54/55 (1999). The Office is also holding discussions with the Government of Qatar with the aim of opening the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region during 2008, in accordance with General Assembly Resolution A/Res/60/153 (2005).
Regional offices vary in size, with a minimum of three professional officers. Their activities, analyses, conclusions and recommendations are integrated in the High Commissioner’s annual report to the Human Rights Council. Details on the individual regional offices can be found in the relevant sections of this Strategic Management Plan.