OACDH en Togo (2006-2007)

Antecedentes

 
Following the death of the Togolese President in February 2005, the country was plunged into a constitutional crisis. The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) requested urgent assistance from OHCHR for the period leading up to and including the presidential elections, scheduled for 24 April. Consequently, OHCHR deployed a human rights adviser to assist devising a protection strategy and designing medium- and long-term strategies to promote human rights, the rule of law, and democracy.

Following the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Togo on 10 July 2006, OHCHR has recently opened a new country office in Lome .

OHCHR Togo will help to build national capacities to protect human rights. It will assist the Government in designing policies to implement the 22 commitments on democracy and human rights undertaken with the European Union in April 2004 and the recommendations made by the fact-finding mission established by the High Commissioner in June 2005. The office will focus its work in the areas of human rights education, administration of justice, rule of law and the integration of human rights into the UNCT's activities.  

2006-2007 Programme

 
The new Office will support the implementation of the recommendations of the High Commissioner's Fact Finding Mission and the above-mentioned 22 commitments.

We will contribute to efforts to develop national legislation in conformity with international standards and assist in the drafting of reports to treaty bodies. The office will contribute to judicial reform efforts and promoting the rule of law within civilian and military structures.

The office will support the Office of the High Commissioner in charge of the Repatriates and the Humanitarian Action (HCRAH) in its mission of facilitating the return and the reintegration of refugees and displaced persons.

It will support key national actors, mainly the judiciary, la Haute Autorité de l'Audiovisuel et de la Communication (HAAC), la Commission Electorale Nationale Indépendante (CENI), the media, religious representatives of all denominations and human rights organizations.

The Office will seek to improve the relations between organizations of the civil society and governmental institutions. The Office will have also the particular task to help these actors to work in a rigorous and independent way. If a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission is created, the Office would support it in the realization of its mission.

Furthermore the office will contribute to the work of the UN Country Team, by providing expert advice for the incorporation of a human rights-based approach into UN agencies development activities. 

Expected Accomplishments

Actors at national level (legislators and policy makers) are better informed of international human rights standards and their translation into national law, regulation and policy.

Increased capacity of national stakeholders to address human rights problems.

Increased capacity building at the national level for promoting and protecting fundamental human rights.

Enhanced capacity of the UNCT to mainstream human rights into agency activities.