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Self Report 2019

The self-report on WHS Commitments below is organized according to the 24 transformations of the Agenda for Humanity. It is based on commitments pledged at the time of report submission. Click on the 'Expand' symbol to expand each section and read the reporting inputs by transformation.

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  • 2A
    Respect and protect civilians and civilian objects in the conduct of hostilities

    Individual Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • OHCHR commits to monitor and report on the human rights impact of the use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in populated areas.
    • Operational
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

    Core Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to promote and enhance the protection of civilians and civilian objects, especially in the conduct of hostilities, for instance by working to prevent civilian harm resulting from the use of wide-area explosive weapons in populated areas, and by sparing civilian infrastructure from military use in the conduct of military operations.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    OHCHR field presences, including human rights components of peace missions, have monitored the use and impact of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in populated areas in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Somalia, Ukraine and Yemen. OHCHR reports include statistics on the percentage of civilian casualties attributable to the use of explosive weapons, their impact on civilian infrastructure, including schools, health facilities and religious sites, and access to water. Some of the reports formulated recommendations to the parties to adopt measures to reduce civilian casualties resulting from the use of these weapons. Several press statements and briefings issued by OHCHR made references to the impact of the use of explosive weapons in urban areas, concerning for example, Libya Syria and Yemen.

     

    OHCHR has also begun its work the Office Management Plan (2018-2021) to elaborate a strategy to address the human rights challenges posed by the development, transfer and use of weapons, which includes explosive weapons.

     

    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Field conditions, including insecurity and access
    • Human resources/capacity
    • IHL and IHRL compliance and accountability
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    The main challenge faced is the continued failure by parties to armed conflicts to respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law, which has a negative impact on the protection of the civilian population and civilian objects.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Continued advocacy to Member States and parties to conflicts by human rights and humanitarian actors on the short and long-term consequences on civilians and civilian infrastructure of the use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects and the need for parties to armed conflicts to stop using such weapons in densely populated areas.

  • 2B
    Ensure full access to and protection of the humanitarian and medical missions

    Individual Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • OHCHR commits to continue to advise Member States on their counter-terrorism and counter-violent extremism laws and responses to ensure that they are in compliance with international human rights law and do not impede humanitarian action.
    • Operational
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • OHCHR commits to further promoting the relevance of the economic, social and cultural rights legal framework for the assessment of the impact of restrictions on humanitarian access.
    • Operational
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

    Core Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to ensure all populations in need receive rapid and unimpeded humanitarian assistance.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • Commit to promote and enhance efforts to respect and protect medical personnel, transports and facilities, as well as humanitarian relief personnel and assets against attacks, threats or other violent acts.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    OHCHR’s report (A/73/347) on the effects of terrorism on the enjoyment of human rights highlights that the right to health is seriously undermined by terrorist groups and their direct interference with the provision of humanitarian assistance and direct targeting of humanitarian personnel. The report notes that in some countries, military action, armed insurgency and terrorist acts have created a security situation that hampers the delivery of humanitarian assistance and basic social services, with particularly detrimental effects for the enjoyment of human rights by women.

    As Chair of the Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact Working Group on Promoting and Protecting Human Rights and the Rule of Law while Countering Terrorism, OHCHR launched a guidance document in June 2018 on human rights-compliant responses to the threat posed by foreign fighters.

    OHCHR continued to deliver a global human rights capacity-building project for law enforcement, to support the integration of human rights in the counter-terrorism initiatives of security and law enforcement officials. OHCHR continued implementing a joint project with UN Women to develop guidance to UNCTs on how to protect and promote women’s rights and implement gender sensitive policies to prevent violent extremism. It also contributed to a Handbook on children affected by foreign fighter activities, to be published by UNOCT in 2019.

    OHCHR continued to remind States of their obligations to ensure through legislative and other measures, that the ethical, impartial provision of medical treatment is not criminalized, irrespective of the identity of the patient, and that effective protection should be available for all medical personnel.

     

    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Adherence to standards and/or humanitarian principles
    • Human resources/capacity
    • IHL and IHRL compliance and accountability
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    Some counterterrorism measures violate international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including through use in legislation of broad notions of ‘terrorism’ or ‘extremism’; expanded executive authority without effective safeguards and oversight; exercise of excessive powers by, and militarization of, law enforcement; and discriminatory practices.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    A system-wide commitment that the UN’s counter-terrorism and preventing violent extremism efforts in the field will be supported by UN Headquarters through country specific or regional coordination efforts to ensure that all projects are grounded in respect for the rule of law and international law, including international human rights law and, where relevant, international humanitarian law.

    Keywords

    IHL compliance and accountability, Protection

  • 2C
    Speak out on violations

    Individual Commitments (6)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • OHCHR commits to continue monitoring, investigating, analysing and reporting on human rights violations and abuses, as well as violations of international humanitarian law where relevant, through its field presences, by mandating and conducting fact-finding missions and by supporting United Nations mandated commissions of inquiries and other mechanisms with a view to establishing facts, contributing to accountability and enhancing the protection afforded by international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
    • Operational
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • OHCHR commits to monitor and report on the impact of armed conflict on humanitarian and health care workers and facilities, as well as on other human rights defenders in view of ensuring the enjoyment of human rights, as part of its overall reporting on violations of international humanitarian law.
    • Operational
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • OHCHR commits to strengthen national protection mechanisms and increase its support for national human rights actors, including national human rights institutions and civil society organisations in their effort to monitor and report on violations of international human rights and humanitarian law during emergencies.
    • Operational
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • OHCHR will continue to speak out and systematically condemn violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law through various forms of advocacy including bilateral engagement with relevant parties.
    • Advocacy
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • OHCHR will support increased efforts to track and collect data in situations of armed conflict on alleged violations of international human rights law and where relevant international humanitarian law, and strengthen its work in reporting on trends regarding such allegations and gaps in compliance with these bodies of law.
    • Operational
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • OHCHR will work, in coordination with UN and other partners, to ensure that information of potential, emerging or actual violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and broader threats to populations, is efficiently brought together, managed and jointly analysed to provide early warning information and to guide early UN responses.
    • Operational
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

    Core Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to speak out and systematically condemn serious violations of international humanitarian law and serious violations and abuses of international human rights law and to take concrete steps to ensure accountability of perpetrators when these acts amount to crimes under international law.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    In 2018, OHCHR issued some 30 public reports on country situations and 145 public statements. OHCHR engaged in UN efforts to ensure respect for IHL/IHRL through commissions of inquiry and fact-finding missions on Burundi, Syria, Yemen, South Sudan, DRC, OPT and Myanmar. OHCHR prepared for the establishment of the independent mechanism for Myanmar.

    OHCHR engaged with its field offices to support the establishment or strengthening of casualty recording systems. It developed a definitional and methodological framework for data collection and compilation of SDG indicator 16.1.2 on conflict-deaths; and reported on two SDG indicators: existence of national human rights indicators (NHRIs) compliant with Paris Principles and killings of human right defenders (HRDs), journalists and trade unionists. OHCHR facilitated the collaboration between National Statistics Offices and NHRIs on data collection, disaggregation and implement a human rights-based approach to data.  

    OHCHR reminded States of their obligations to ensure that the ethical, impartial provision of medical treatment is not criminalized, irrespective of the identity of the patient, and that effective protection should be available for all medical personnel. OHCHR reported on the issue of attacks against health care facilities and health workers in Afghanistan, Iraq, DRC, Libya, South Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, and Yemen.

    OHCHR contributed to the strengthening of inter-agency early warning efforts, such as the Integrated Prevention Platform, UNOCC and the IASC early warning report. OHCHR participated in the revision of the Regional Monthly Review (RMR) Process in the framework of the SG’s Integrated Prevention Platform. OHCHR engagement in the RMR revision supported the strengthened focus on action-oriented and integrated risk analysis.

    As part of the Human Rights Up Front (HRUF) initiative, OHCHR continued to refine methodologies, reinforced its information management and early warning capacity, and continued to strengthen its Regional Offices with Emergency Response Teams (ERTs), in line with the SG’s prevention vision. ERTs ensure closer, quicker and more adequate support to RCs and RC/HCs and UNCT/HCTs in the South African and South-East Asia regions.

    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • IHL and IHRL compliance and accountability
    • Information management/tools
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    Current funding situation doesn’t allow immediately equipping all Regional Offices (ROs) with Emergency Response Teams (ERTs). OHCHR have to engage in a phased approach and prioritise among requests from ROs. The strengthening of information management capacity needs to be executed in a deliberate and thoughtful manner to ensure that sustainable solutions are in place.

    Keywords

    IHL compliance and accountability

  • 2D
    Take concrete steps to improve compliance and accountability

    Individual Commitments (9)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • Through its humanitarian funds, OHCHR commits to continue providing direct assistance to victims of torture and of modern slavery by means of grants awarded to non-governmental organisations in emergency situations.
    • Financial
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • OHCHR commits to continue advocating for accountability and the right of victims to an effective remedy, including gender-sensitive reparations and due regard for the protection of victims and witnesses, for gross human rights violations and abuses, including those amounting to crimes under international law, and providing technical assistance to States on specific accountability mechanisms.
    • Advocacy
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • OHCHR commits to continue reminding parties to a conflict of their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law, as well as third states of their obligation to ensure respect of these bodies of law, through advocacy, training and technical assistance.
    • Advocacy
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • OHCHR commits to continue to offer training in international human rights law and where appropriate international humanitarian law, to armed forces and relevant law enforcement agencies as well as to continue engaging with armed groups on compliance with relevant legal norms and standards.
    • Training
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • OHCHR commits to continuing to raise awareness about the international human rights treaties and their optional protocols, to produce trainings materials and to offer advisory services to States in this regard.
    • Advocacy
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • OHCHR commits to contribute to the development of guidance and methodology to investigate sexual exploitation and abuse by humanitarian personnel.
    • Operational
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • OHCHR commits to providing capacity building and/or other support to civil society organisations and Member States in addressing SGBV and holding perpetrators accountable, including the investigation, prosecution and punishment of persons responsible for SGBV and ensuring an effective remedy, including gender-sensitive reparations, for victims.
    • Capacity
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • OHCHR commits to strengthening policy guidance and capacity for monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements on conflict-related sexual violence (MARA) in UN peace operations and other relevant contexts, including better coordination and strategies with other humanitarian actors in this regard.
    • Operational
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • OHCHR will continue to offer technical assistance to States in drafting national legislation fully encompassing genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other gross human rights violations.
    • Operational
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

    Core Commitments (4)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to promote and enhance respect for international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and refugee law, where applicable.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • Commit to speak out and systematically condemn serious violations of international humanitarian law and serious violations and abuses of international human rights law and to take concrete steps to ensure accountability of perpetrators when these acts amount to crimes under international law.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • Implement a coordinated global approach to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in crisis contexts, including through the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-based Violence in Emergencies.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    • Fully comply with humanitarian policies, frameworks and legally binding documents related to gender equality, women's empowerment, and women's rights.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave No One Behind
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    IHL and IHRL compliance and accountability

    • OHCHR supported the work of the treaty bodies, including the reviews of 141 States. In 2018, some 1,800 State officials from 50 States increased knowledge and skills on Human Rights (HR) treaties.
    • OHCHR launched an online course on reporting to Treaty Bodies and published a guide on preventing torture for National Preventive Mechanisms. OHCHR piloted the National Tracking Recommendations Database to strengthen States information management capacity on the implementation of recommendations.
    • The UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture awarded four emergency grants to respond to the needs of Rohingya that fled to Cox’s Bazar (total US$372,375).
    • OHCHR continued to engage globally with security forces and provided trainings in Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, PNG, Togo and Uganda.
    • OHCHR reported on SGBV in DRC, Kenya, South Sudan, Ukraine, Venezuela and Kashmir. There has been an improvement in the gender analysis contained in OHCHR's public reports as well as more consistent documentation on cases and trends of SGBV. OHCHR delivered with DPKO, O/SRSG-SVC and the Team of Experts (ToE) a training for Women Protection Advisors.
    • OHCHR delivered trainings for DPKO missions on monitoring and investigating conflict-related sexual violence in South Sudan and in DRC.

    Protection against sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA)

    OHCHR was involved in several UN and IASC consultations during 2018, including in support of the UN Office of the Victims’ Rights Advocate (OVRA), to recommend actions to integrate a victim-centred, rights-based approach to investigations of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), victims’ protection and follow-up to allegations. OHCHR engagement, and close collaboration with partners, led to increased understanding and acceptance of the importance of ensuring that the rights of victims and the related obligations of States and responsibilities of the UN are central in UN and IASC prevention and response efforts. Jointly with OVRA and UNICEF, OHCHR led the session on integrating a victim-centred approach to investigations in the IASC-CEB conference of investigatory bodies on protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. As the lead entity on SEA involving non-UN forces operating under a Security Council mandate, OHCHR engaged in processes to strengthen language in country resolutions that expanded SEA prevention and response requirements. OHCHR also strengthened its internal systems to address SEA by developing an OHCHR action plan and producing an updated version of OHCHR internal procedure on handling allegations of SEA, with wide dissemination and advice on its implementation.

    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Buy-in
    • Field conditions, including insecurity and access
    • Information management/tools
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    In humanitarian contexts, the Torture Fund’s average grant size is often small compared to most service providers involved in complex emergencies.  

    Monitoring conflict related sexual violence is challenging due to insecurity and lack of access. The multiplicity of actors involved and different management tools pose challenges in terms of coherent prevention and responses. 

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Continued and constant coordination of UN entities involved in the MARA to avoid overlaps and to achieve coherent results.

    Keywords

    Gender, IHL compliance and accountability, PSEA

  • 2E
    Uphold the rules: a global campaign to affirm the norms that safeguard humanity

    Individual Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • OHCHR will join a global effort to mobilize states, civil society and global leaders to enhance respect for international humanitarian and human rights law.
    • Operational
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

    Core Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to promote and enhance respect for international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and refugee law, where applicable.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    To celebrate the seventieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), OHCHR implemented a year-long campaign to promote the principles of the declaration and reflect on human rights progress.

    The Office raised the visibility of economic, social and cultural rights through collaboration with UN agencies. In the framework of UN-Water, it led inter-agency advocacy efforts on the rights to water and sanitation for World Water Day 2019.

    OHCHR strengthened its work in the area of civic space and also stepped up its efforts to reach a broader audience through its focus on building a global constituency for human rights.

    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Buy-in
    • IHL and IHRL compliance and accountability
    Keywords

    IHL compliance and accountability

  • 3A
    Reduce and address displacement

    Core Commitments (5)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to a new approach to addressing forced displacement that not only meets immediate humanitarian needs but reduces vulnerability and improves the resilience, self-reliance and protection of refugees and IDPs. Commit to implementing this new approach through coherent international, regional and national efforts that recognize both the humanitarian and development challenges of displacement. Commit to take the necessary political, policy, legal and financial steps required to address these challenges for the specific context.
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Commit to promote and support safe, dignified and durable solutions for internally displaced persons and refugees. Commit to do so in a coherent and measurable manner through international, regional and national programs and by taking the necessary policy, legal and financial steps required for the specific contexts and in order to work towards a target of 50 percent reduction in internal displacement by 2030.
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Acknowledge the global public good provided by countries and communities which are hosting large numbers of refugees. Commit to providing communities with large numbers of displaced population or receiving large numbers of returnees with the necessary political, policy and financial, support to address the humanitarian and socio-economic impact. To this end, commit to strengthen multilateral financing instruments. Commit to foster host communities' self-reliance and resilience, as part of the comprehensive and integrated approach outlined in core commitment 1.
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Commit to collectively work towards a Global Compact on responsibility-sharing for refugees to safeguard the rights of refugees, while also effectively and predictably supporting States affected by such movements.
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Commit to actively work to uphold the institution of asylum and the principle of non-refoulement. Commit to support further accession to and strengthened implementation of national, regional and international laws and policy frameworks that ensure and improve the protection of refugees and IDPs, such as the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol or the AU Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala convention) or the Guiding Principles on internal displacement.
    • Leave No One Behind
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    IDPs (due to conflict, violence, and disaster)

    In the context of the 20th Anniversary of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (GP20) in 2018, the SR on the Human Rights of IDPs:

    • Organized meetings to promote strategic action to reduce internal displacement and launched a multi-stakeholder Plan of Action for 2018–2020 to enhance protection, prevent and resolve internal displacement.
    • In February, at the annual conference of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Indicators (NHRIs), organized a workshop to exchange views and ideas on NHRIs existing and potential roles in addressing internal displacement; and held a side-event examining the work of NHRIs on the Guiding Principles and potential expansion.
    • Collaborated with the Joint IDP Profiling Service to develop an “Indicator Library and Analysis Guide” for durable solutions in line with the IASC Framework for Durable Solutions for IDPs.
    • During HRC 38th session, moderated the first-ever panel discussion on the application of the Guiding Principles.
    • Continued to co-chair the task team on law and policy of the Global Protection Cluster, aimed at supporting capacity-building and providing technical advice to States developing such normative instruments.

    Furthermore, OHCHR field presences have engaged in promoting the implementation of the Declaration.

    Keywords

    Displacement

  • 3B
    Address the vulnerabilities of migrants and provide more regular and lawful opportunities for migration

    Individual Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • OHCHR commits to developing principles and practical guidance on the human rights protection of migrants in situations of vulnerability within mixed movements in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.
    • Policy
    • Leave No One Behind
    • OHCHR commits to enhance its own capacity to monitor the human rights situation of migrants in humanitarian contexts and to build the capacity of relevant stakeholders to uphold the human rights of migrants.
    • Operational
    • Leave No One Behind
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    In 2018, OHCHR - as co-chair of the Global Migration Group Working Group on Human Rights and Gender -, finalized and published a set of Principles and Guidelines on the human rights protection of migrants in vulnerable situations. This tool advances greater understanding on the human rights protection gaps faced by migrants who may not qualify as refugees but who are in need of protection of the international human rights framework because of the situations they left in their country of origin, the circumstances in which they travel or the conditions they face on arrival, or because of personal characteristics. The principles and guidelines provide concrete advice to States and other stakeholders on how to develop, implement and monitor measures to promote and protect the human rights of migrants in vulnerable situations, including in the context of mixed movements.

    Member States recognized this work in the Global Compact for safe, orderly and regular migration (GCM) adopted by the UN General Assembly in December. The GCM commits to respond to the needs of migrants who face situations of vulnerability and invites the development of policies and programmes to improve national responses that address the needs of migrants in situations of vulnerability, including by taking into consideration recommendations of the above-mentioned principles and guidelines.

    OHCHR conducted monitoring missions to Austria, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Niger to assess the human rights situation of migrants and better assist Member States in implementing human rights-based responses.

    OHCHR contributed to build the capacity of relevant stakeholders to uphold the human rights of migrants by conducting -in collaboration with the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism- four workshops with border officials on the implementation of the guidance provided in OHCHR’s Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights at International Borders.

    OHCHR reported on the situation of migrants in Libya.

    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Buy-in
    • Data and analysis
    • Human resources/capacity
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    All actions were taken within existing resources. Capacity constraints affect overall sustained engagement at HQ and the field level on the human rights of migrants in humanitarian contexts, including to monitor human rights protection gaps and to build the capacity of relevant stakeholders to uphold the human rights of migrants.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    The adoption of GCM expresses the collective commitment to improve cooperation on migration and reaffirms the commitment 3B to address vulnerabilities and provide opportunities for migration. The UN System has committed to supporting Member States' implementation of the GCM through the establishment of the UN Network on Migration. To achieve this transformation, it is essential to strengthen this approach, by which the expertise of the various entities is harnessed to ensure complementarity in delivering as one.

    Keywords

    Migrants

  • 3D
    Empower and protect women and girls

    Individual Commitments (4)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • OHCHR commits to continue to promote and support implementation of the Technical Guidance on the application of a human rights based approach to the implementation of policies and programmes for the reduction of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity (A/HRC/21/22), including the development and dissemination, in collaboration with partners, of reflection guides for health policy makers, national human rights institutions, health workers and the judiciary.
    • Operational
    • Leave No One Behind
    • OHCHR commits to enhance engagement with children, adolescents and women, including by facilitating national multi-stakeholder dialogues and capacity building activities with civil society actors on the international norms related to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
    • Partnership
    • Leave No One Behind
    • OHCHR commits to partner with local and national women's groups to provide women's groups with capacity building tools and training to increase their ability to claim their rights in humanitarian settings.
    • Operational
    • Leave No One Behind
    • OHCHR commits to strengthening tools and capacity for integration of gender into its monitoring and investigation work in humanitarian contexts to ensure rights-based responses that do not perpetuate discrimination, promote equality and give greater recognition and support to women's roles as peace makers and agents of resilience in communities affected by conflict or natural disasters.
    • Operational
    • Leave No One Behind

    Core Commitments (4)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Empower Women and Girls as change agents and leaders, including by increasing support for local women's groups to participate meaningfully in humanitarian action.
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the Outcome documents of their review conferences for all women and adolescent girls in crisis settings.
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Ensure that humanitarian programming is gender responsive.
    • Leave No One Behind
    • Fully comply with humanitarian policies, frameworks and legally binding documents related to gender equality, women's empowerment, and women's rights.
    • Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave No One Behind
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Gender equality programming

    • OHCHR published Integrating a Gender Perspective into Human Rights Investigations: Guidance and Practice, providing practical advice to integrate gender into monitoring and investigations of HR violations. OHCHR supported commissions of inquiry and fact-finding missions facilitating discussions on the integration of gender perspectives during all the phases of an investigation.
    • OHCHR, UN Women and JRR organized a workshop for gender experts in human rights investigations to develop a roadmap to improve support to gender advisors.
    • OHCHR built its capacities to monitor and report SGBV.
    • OHCHR presented its “Follow-up report on the application of the technical guidance on the application of a human rights-based approach to the implementation of policies and programmes to reduce preventable maternal mortality and morbidity” with key elements of what a human rights-based approach to maternal mortality and morbidity in humanitarian settings looks like. It contributed to the development of HRC resolution on maternal mortality and morbidity and human rights in humanitarian settings, setting the foundations for further work in 2019.
    • OHCHR and UNFPA organized a capacity-building activity on sexual and reproductive health and rights for 24 CSOs from eight countries in Southern Africa, including in humanitarian settings, and support their engagement with regional and international HR mechanisms.
    B. Please select if your report relates to any initiatives launched at World Humanitarian summit
    • A Global Undertaking on Health in Crisis Settings
    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Buy-in
    • Data and analysis
    • Field conditions, including insecurity and access
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    OHCHR needs to enhance gender integration in its reporting and investigations. It also needs to ensure that SGBV monitoring is applied across its field presences. Further work is needed to ensure a human rights based approach to humanitarian policies and programs, in particular concerning sexual and reproductive health and rights.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    • Systematic integration of a human rights based and gender-sensitive approach in existing humanitarian processes, including addressing data and analysis gaps.
    • Challenging our siloes and advancing holistic and integrated action that transcends the humanitarian development divide and places the individual woman and girl at the center.
    • Increased collective attention to and rights-based accountability for sexual and reproductive health and rights in humanitarian contexts and rights-based programming, including assessments and responses.

    Keywords

    Gender

  • 3G
    Address other groups or minorities in crisis settings

    Individual Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • OHCHR commits to enhance its capacity to monitor, report and advocate for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all stages of the humanitarian management cycle, upholding international human rights standards.
    • Operational
    • Leave No One Behind
    • OHCHR will support the Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action and follow-up actions related to the development of internationally agreed guidelines for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all stages of the humanitarian management cycle.
    • Policy
    • Leave No One Behind
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.
    • OHCHR, together with UNICEF and the International Disability Alliance supported Poland in the organization of a Security Council Arria-Formula meeting that took place on 3 December 2018. The objective of this meeting was to raise awareness with the UNSC of the issues impacting persons with disabilities.
    • In the field, OHCHR supported the Geneva Academy in the organization of two trainings in Ukraine and Palestine to build capacity internally and externally with humanitarian stakeholders and governments.  OHCHR also facilitated an emergency grant to the Centre for Disability in Development, an NGO providing support to Rohingya in Cox’s Bazar.  The grant was provided by the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.
    • In addition, OHCHR started the process to update the “OHCHR tool on assessments in humanitarian action” to be inclusive of persons with disabilities, this updated tool will be published in 2019.
    • OHCHR continues to integrate persons with disabilities in “OHCHR Training Course on Human Rights in Humanitarian Action,” being the last edition in May 2018.

     

    Finally, OHCHR continues to support the development of the IASC Task Team guidelines on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitarian action, being an active member of the task team.

     

    OHCHR is supporting the sub-group on the system-wide action plan on disability inclusion of the Inter-Agency Support Group to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to include humanitarian action as part of the accountability framework to the policy to be adopted in May by the Chief Executives Board on Coordination.

    B. Please select if your report relates to any initiatives launched at World Humanitarian summit
    • Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action
    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Human resources/capacity
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    OHCHR is achieving its commitments within existing resources. Further involvement and impact could be achieved with specific funding.

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    Explore new commitments and operationalise the achievements.

  • 4B
    Anticipate, do not wait, for crises

    Individual Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility
    • OHCHR will continue to advocate for the integration of human rights considerations in climate policy and disaster risk reduction and resilience, and for the effective implementation of existing commitments in this regard, and will seek support for these efforts.
    • Advocacy
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • OHCHR will produce relevant guidance materials related to human rights, climate change and natural disasters including a frequently asked questions publication on human rights and climate change by 2017.
    • Policy
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

    Core Commitments (3)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to a new way of working that meets people's immediate humanitarian needs, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years through the achievement of collective outcomes. To achieve this, commit to the following: a) Anticipate, Do Not Wait: to invest in risk analysis and to incentivize early action in order to minimize the impact and frequency of known risks and hazards on people. b) Reinforce, Do Not Replace: to support and invest in local, national and regional leadership, capacity strengthening and response systems, avoiding duplicative international mechanisms wherever possible. c) Preserve and retain emergency capacity: to deliver predictable and flexible urgent and life-saving assistance and protection in accordance with humanitarian principles. d) Transcend Humanitarian-Development Divides: work together, toward collective outcomes that ensure humanitarian needs are met, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years and based on the comparative advantage of a diverse range of actors. The primacy of humanitarian principles will continue to underpin humanitarian action.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • Commit to accelerate the reduction of disaster and climate-related risks through the coherent implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, as well as other relevant strategies and programs of action, including the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity
    • Commit to improve the understanding, anticipation and preparedness for disaster and climate-related risks by investing in data, analysis and early warning, and developing evidence-based decision-making processes that result in early action.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Disaster risk reduction and disaster risk management (including resilience)

    In 2018, OHCHR contributed to multiple events on human rights, climate change and displacement at the margins of the Human Rights Council, the UNFCCC, the Commission on the Status of Women and the Global Compact negotiations. OHCHR continued its work as a member of the Advisory Committee of the Platform on Disaster Displacement and co-authored along with partners a successful grant proposal to the UN human security trust fund to work on climate change, human security, and migration in the Pacific. OHCHR also actively engaged with the Warsaw International Mechanism on Loss and Damage taskforce on displacement contributing to the adoption of explicit human rights language in a recommendation on this issue by the Executive Committee of the WIM and in a subsequent decision at COP24.

    OHCHR supported the drafting and launch of CEDAW General Recommendation 37 on gender dimensions of disaster risk reduction in the context of climate change. OHCHR also produced reports on the slow-onset adverse effects of climate change and human rights protection gaps for cross-border migrants (A/HRC/37/CRP.4) and an analytical study on climate change and migration (A/HRC/38/21).

    OHCHR increased its capacities in the area of climate change.

    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Funding amounts
    • Human resources/capacity
    Keywords

    Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction, Displacement

  • 4C
    Deliver collective outcomes: transcend humanitarian-development divides

    Individual Commitments (2)

    • Commitment
    • Commitment Type
    • Core Responsibility

    • OHCHR also commits to continue supporting the leadership role of RC/HC to deliver effective responses to humanitarian crises and empower them to address serious violations, link human rights mechanisms and institutions with humanitarian actors and support national protection mechanisms.


    • Capacity
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    • OHCHR commits to promote greater integration across all the pillars of the United Nations - human rights, development, humanitarian, peace and security - by supporting joint analysis, advocacy and programming, and working towards collective outcomes for the achievement of the SDGs and national priorities.
    • Operational
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

    Core Commitments (1)

    • Commitment
    • Core Responsibility
    • Commit to a new way of working that meets people's immediate humanitarian needs, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years through the achievement of collective outcomes. To achieve this, commit to the following: a) Anticipate, Do Not Wait: to invest in risk analysis and to incentivize early action in order to minimize the impact and frequency of known risks and hazards on people. b) Reinforce, Do Not Replace: to support and invest in local, national and regional leadership, capacity strengthening and response systems, avoiding duplicative international mechanisms wherever possible. c) Preserve and retain emergency capacity: to deliver predictable and flexible urgent and life-saving assistance and protection in accordance with humanitarian principles. d) Transcend Humanitarian-Development Divides: work together, toward collective outcomes that ensure humanitarian needs are met, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years and based on the comparative advantage of a diverse range of actors. The primacy of humanitarian principles will continue to underpin humanitarian action.
    • Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need
    1. A. Highlight concrete actions taken between 1 January – 31 December 2018 to implement the commitments which contribute to achieving this transformation. Be as specific as possible and include any relevant data/figures as well as any good practices and examples of innovation.

    Joined-up humanitarian-development analysis and planning towards collective outcomes

    In 2018, OHCHR continued to ensure that human rights analysis and principles guide its support for RCs/HCs and UNCTs/HCTs to implement UN human rights policies and responsibilities.

    OHCHR continued to integrate human rights into the efforts of protection clusters, HCs and HCTs, including in relation to the Syria crisis, Cox’s Bazar, Colombia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Haiti, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Myanmar, Nigeria, PNG, Timor-Leste, Ukraine, Yemen, as well as the Pacific and Southern Africa regions. OHCHR actively engaged in developing the strategies of Protection Clusters and HCTs in Myanmar, Somalia, and South Sudan. OHCHR also strengthened its South Africa and South-East Asia regional offices by deploying Emergency Response Teams dedicated to preparedness and crisis response, ensuring closer, quicker and more adequate support to RCs and RC/HCs and UNCT/HCTs. OHCHR remains engaged in global discussions on the Nexus, as well as on the UN development reform.

    On 21-22 May, the UNDOCO, OHCHR and UNDP convened a Regional Human Rights Leadership Dialogue in Bangkok for RCs from Asia and the Pacific region. Discussions focused on selected human rights themes including civic space in the region; human rights implications of “leaving no one behind”; modalities to support RCs and UNCTs for integrated analyses and joint approaches, including integrated political and human rights analyses.

    B. Please select if your report relates to any initiatives launched at World Humanitarian summit
    • New Way of Working
    2. A. Please select no more than 3 key challenges faced in implementing the commitments related to this transformation. Only the categories selected by the organisation will be seen below.
    • Human resources/capacity
    • Joined-up humanitarian-development analysis, planning, funding and/or response
    B. How are these challenges impacting achievement of this transformation?

    Setting the tone and ensuring principled action by the humanitarian community to address human rights issues has been often contingent on the leadership and expert capacity within the RC office, and political support from HQ at all levels. The support to RCs/HCs and country teams requires a continued concerted, system-wide effort. 

    3. What steps or actions are needed to make collective progress to achieve this transformation?

    • Systematize technical support for human rights to RCs/HCs, including deploying Human Rights Advisors as part of standard package;
    • Systematize political support for principled leadership from headquarters, regional offices and UN system;
    • Reaffirm human rights and protection mainstreaming gains in policy, doctrine, and frameworks achieved thus far;
    • Integrate 3-Pillar analysis (development, human rights, peace)
    • Advance explicit human rights based approach/sustainable development goals approach.

    Keywords

    Humanitarian-development nexus

Attachments

  • WHS Commitments Attachments
    Transformation - 2C, 2D, 2E, 3A, 3B, 3D