The Hindu : National : States asked to establish national rights institutions

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Sunday, Dec 04, 2005

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States asked to establish national rights institutions

Staff Correspondent

In accordance with the Paris Principles

NEW DELHI: Calling on States to establish national human rights institutions in accordance with the Paris Principles adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1993, participants at the International Round Table on National Human Rights Institutions said such institutions should be given enough resources to deal with issues related to economic, social and cultural rights.

The concluding statement adopted by 24 countries emphasised that national human rights institutions should adopt a comprehensive approach to the promotion and protection of human rights, which includes economic, social and cultural rights.

The three-day Round Table was organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

It was attended by representatives of national human rights institutions from Afghanistan, Albania, Argentina, Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of Congo, Fiji, Ghana, India, Ireland, Senegal, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, South Korea, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Uganda.

The principal objective of the Round Table was to discuss and strengthen the role and capacity of national institutions in protecting and promoting economic, social and cultural rights.

The concluding statement calls for monitoring of State compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and called on States that are not a party to the Covenant to ratify it.

The statement said they should engage with the Working Group that is drafting the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. States should ensure independent access to the international treaty body system.

They also should ensure that domestic legislation that impacts economic, social and cultural rights is in compliance with international human rights norms.

The statement asks them to work with representatives of international financial institutions to help ensure that their policies do not impact negatively on the enjoyment of economic, social, and cultural rights.

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