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ICC PROGRESS REPORT

FOR THE PERIOD 8 MAY 2013 TO 21 OCTOBER 2013

PRESENTED TO THE ICC BUREAU MEETING

ACCRA, GHANA25-26 NOVEMBER 2013

INTERNATIONAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE OFNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR THE PROMOTION AND

PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (ICC)

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 1: TO MAINTAIN AND STRENGTHEN THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS

Activity Outputs Progress report

Ongoing activities1.Tailor and contextualize SCA recommendations

Record context and background in which the recommendation was developed

The SCA convened in Geneva from 13-16 May 2013. Pursuant to Article 10 of the Statute, the SCA considered and deferred an application for accreditation from Haiti: Office for the Protection of Citizens. Pursuant to Article 15 the SCA considered applications for reaccreditation and recommends A status reaccreditation from Armenia : Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia; Croatia: Ombudsman of the Republic of Croatia; France: National Consultative Commission on Human Rights; Georgia: Office of the Public Defender; Guatemala: Procurador de los Derechos Humanos; Rwanda: Commission Nationale des Droits de L’Homme (CNDH); Togo: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC); Uganda: Uganda Human Rights Commission; Venezuela: Defensoria del Pueblo. Consideration of re accreditation was deferred in respect of: Egypt: National Council for Human Rights (NCHR) and Malawi: Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC). In terms of Article 16.2 the SCA recommends that the Special Review of Nepal: National Human Rights Commission is deferred.

In each case, final recommendations were supported by a more detailed narrative text explaining why the SCA had particular issues of concern. This approach will continue for all future SCA sessions.

2. Improve accessibility to SCA process for NHRIs and others

Translation of documents; improved information on the ICC webpage

The SCA report of the May 2013 session of the SCA has been translated into the four ICC working languages (Arabic, English, French and Spanish) and is available on the ICC webpage.

SCA Reports from 2005 to the present are now available, with reports since 2010 available in all 4 ICC languages.

The website also contains a regularly updated chart specifying the accreditation status of all NHRIs reviewed by the SCA.

Development activities3. Strengthen support for NHRIs’

Review mechanisms and develop

In May 2013 the ICC adopted three new General Observations relating to: Assessing NHRIs as National Preventative and National Monitoring Mechanisms;

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preparations for ICC accreditation process

recommendations for ICC Bureau

Quasi-Judicial Competency of NHRIs; and Assessing Performance of NHRIs.

The ICC also accepted the revision and consolidation of the existing General Observation.4. Strengthen transparency in accreditation process

Review of current processes, including review of General Observations

See item 3 above.

Civil Society groups are invited to submit information on the functioning of NHRIs under review. A number of civil society groups made submissions to the May SCA session.

5. Strengthen systematic follow up to SCA recommendations

Resources allowing, consider visits to NHRIs (and their governments) to engage more effectively with institutions striving to meet the Paris principles and accreditation process standards.

There are currently insufficient resources available to the SCA to permit in-country visits.

Following recent SCA meetings, and on a case by case basis or when requested, the ICC Chairperson, members of the ICC Bureau, the regional Chairpersons or SCA members as appropriate have been in contact with applicants for accreditation or re-accreditation in order to clarify SCA recommendations.

NIRMS, in partnership with other international and regional actors, including the regional networks, has engaged in initiatives aimed at supporting the implementation of the SCA recommendations to the concerned NHRIs.

The regional networks have also engaged in initiatives in addition to those mentioned above aimed at supporting the implementation of SCA recommendations.

6. Enhance understanding of theaccreditation process

Increase awareness of theaccreditation process through the development of outreach andeducation strategies which might include:(i) Building onto the agendas of the ICC plenary meetings & regional meetings;(ii) Engaging and

Engaging with external actors

With a view to increasing understanding of the ICC accreditation process, the ICC has facilitated the organisation of meetings between ICC representatives and key Geneva-based and New-York organisations.

This includes:dateIn June , the Chair, Secretary and Assistant Geneva Representative contributed to the High Level Expert Vienna +20 Conference where 130 experts from all regions came together to build on the achievements of the World Conference and examine how the international human rights system can be strengthened further. See:http://www.bmeia.gv.at/fileadmin/user_upload/bmeia/media/2-Aussenpolitik_Zentrale/Menschenrechte/Conference_Report_-_Vienna___20.pdf

http://www.bmeia.gv.at/fileadmin/user_upload/bmeia/media/2-Aussenpolitik_Zentrale/Menschenrechte/Conference_Report_-_Vienna___20.pdf

http://www.bmeia.gv.at/fileadmin/user_upload/bmeia/media/2-Aussenpolitik_Zentrale/Menschenrechte/Conference_Report_-_Vienna___20.pdf

enlarging the roles of ICC Regional Chairs and Regional Coordinating Committees (RCCs);(iii) Regular communications through regional and ICC Secretariat(OHCHR) bulletins and the NHRI Forum website;(iv) Periodic focus groups and roundtables;(v) Presentations and workshops; and(vi) Comprehensive plain language guide to the SCA process and GeneralObservations.

In July 2013, The ICC Chair, Secretary and Regional Chairs attending and speaking at a UNDP conference Seminar on “Twenty years later: The Paris Principles and the national human rights institutions (NHRIs) in New York with State Party delegates.see: http://webtv.un.org/search/part-1-undp-event-on-national-human-rights-institutions-celebrating-the-20th-anniversary-of-the-paris-principles/2542380372001?term=nhri

Role of Regional Coordinating CommitteesThe SCA, in accordance with established procedures, invites all regional coordinating committees to attend its sessions as observers. The SCA welcomed the participation of representatives of all four regional coordinating committees at its most recent meeting.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2: TO ENHANCE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE UN AND HR REGIONAL FRAMEWORKS

Activity Outputs Progress Report

Ongoing activities1. Provide support to NHRIs engaging with UN

Information sharing; advisory services; representation of

Human Rights Council and Universal Periodic ReviewThe ICC Geneva Office’s major focus of is to offer support and advice to NHRIs wishing to engage with international human rights mechanisms. This is provided through by the ICC Geneva

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http://webtv.un.org/search/part-1-undp-event-on-national-human-rights-institutions-celebrating-the-20th-anniversary-of-the-paris-principles/2542380372001?term=nhri

http://webtv.un.org/search/part-1-undp-event-on-national-human-rights-institutions-celebrating-the-20th-anniversary-of-the-paris-principles/2542380372001?term=nhri

mechanisms, particularly HRC plus UPR, treaty bodies and special procedures.

Provide support to NHRIs in their follow up activities

NHRIs in meetings; facilitation of exchange of experiences and lessons learned, and development of good practice; selected side event; reporting ;liaising with NHRIs; and administrative assistance

Representative and an Assistant.

Advice and assistance was provided to ICC members and regional coordinating networks for their engagement with the HRC 23 in May/June 2013 (see Annexure 1) and HRC 24 in September 2013 (see Annexure *).

Support was provided in relation to NHRI reporting, participation in sessions and meetings, development of statements and contributions, presenting statements on behalf of NHRIs, and assisting in follow up activities. Support also involved liaising between NHRIs and experts, OHCHR, States and NGOs, and other NHRIs. The organisation of NHRI hosted side events and NHRI contribution as panellist to HRC or other panels was also encouraged and facilitated by the ICC's representation in Geneva.

These efforts have resulted in engagement by ICC members from all regions on various agenda items on a range of substantive discussions, through written submissions to the HRC, attendance at plenary meetings, delivery of oral statements, as well as attendance at, and organisation of, side events.

All NHRI contributions to the HRC and UPR as well as the reports on ICC and NHRI engagement with HRC 22 and 23 are now available on the ICC webpage.

The level of engagement with the HRC and Treaty bodies is still low, even in relation country specific issues, rather than thematic ones. Criticism of the lack of direct engagement by NHRIs was made by the President of the Human Rights Council to the ICC Geneva Representative during HRC 23.The ICC Geneva Representative drafted a concept paper suggesting ways to improve NHRI engagement, which was circulated to the regional coordinating committees and the office has begun a short research project into NHRI engagement with Treaty Bodies with the aim of identifying barriers to engagement.

2. Engage with Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures

ICC representation in annual meetings of treaty bodies and Special Procedures

The ICC Secretary and Assistant Geneva Representative attended the annual meeting of Special Procedures on the fringes of the Vienna +20 Conference in Vienna, Austria in June 2013.

On behalf of the ICC, they stressed the important role that NHRIs can play during country visits. They also raised concerns in relation to receiving Reports late, which make it difficult for NHRIs

to engage and make meaningful statements to the Human Rights Council.

3. Promote knowledge and understanding about NHRIs, the accreditation process and the Paris Principles (see also Strategic Objective 1; item 6)

ICC brochures on NHRIs, accreditation process and the Paris Principles; information posted on the website; side events at Geneva, New York and regional levels

At the initiative of the ICC Geneva Representative, meetings with key partners were organized, to inform about the ICC, NHRIs and the Paris Principles, and discuss, where relevant, areas of collaboration.

This involved meetings with colleagues at OHCHR (treaty body secretaries, HRC Branch and Special Procedures Branch.

The ICC webpage was updated with information about NHRIs, the accreditation process and the Paris Principles.

Development activities4. ICC strategic engagement with HRC and its mechanisms

Develop and implement strategic engagement,

ICC strategic engagement with the Human Rights Council and its mechanismsThe ICC with its member institutions seeks to play an active role at the international level in the promotion and protection of human rights. Over the reporting period, the ICC engaged with various international human rights protection mechanisms to advance key ICC thematic priorities, including the rights of women and girls.(For further information see Annexure I for further details on HRC 23 and Annexure * for HRC 24)

A further function of the ICC is to advocate common positions adopted by the ICC membership:

HRC resolution on NHRIsOver the reporting period, a key ICC's key advocacy priority was to promote the adoption by the HRC of a NHRI resolution at the HRC 23 June session. This was successfully done thanks to close cooperation with the Australian Permanent Mission.

A successful outcome of the session was the Council’s adoption by consensus of its third resolution on NHRIs A/HRC/23/L.15 (available on ICC website). The resolution, was presented by Australia and co-sponsored by a cross regional group of states.

The resolution gives a thematic focus to the contribution of NHRIs towards promoting and protecting the rights of women and girls, while recognising the important role played by NHRIs in the Council, including UPR, the work of Special Procedures mandate holders and UN treaty

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bodies.

As a direct result of ICC advocacy led by the ICC Geneva Representative with support by the APF, the resolution gives recognition to the most recent:

Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defender, which focused on NHRIs and acknowledges that NHRIs and their members and staff can be viewed as human rights defenders;

Report of the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice, and its recommendations regarding the role NHRIs can play in creating a coherent institutional architecture for women’s human rights and gender equality; and

The commitment of NHRIs to give priority to women’s political and public participation, economic and social rights and health and reproductive rights, and efforts to address violence against women and girls as reflected in the Amman Declaration and Programme of Action.

In order to streamline the work of the Council, its resolutions on NHRIs will henceforth be presented on a biennial basis. This will ensure that the UN Secretary General’s reports on NHRIs and the ICC accreditation process respectively coincide with his reporting to the UN General Assembly in odd-numbered years. The Council resolution on NHRIs will run in alternate even-numbered years, with the next one presented at the 27th Council session in September 2014.

5.Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and Conference on States Parties (COSP)

Follow up on the ICC statement for the State Parties Conference made in September 2011 and engagement with state party bureau members on the distinct recognition for NHRIs in section 33.2 of the CRDP and the standing of NHRIs at

In 2011 the ICC Bureau resolved to take steps to increase the involvement of the ICC and NHRIs in the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). ICC participation at the Sixth Conference of States Parties of the CRPD (COSP) served to further the implementation of this resolution. The COSP took place from 17– 19 July 17 at the UN in New York.

ICC preparations for the COSP and its involvement at the meeting were led by the Canadian Human Rights Commission. As a result of ICC diplomacy over the last four years, the COSP continued its policy of ad hoc recognition of the ICC/NHRIs participation in the work of the COSP. As with the past two COSPs, the ICC was given assigned seating with a name tag, accorded the right to make statements, and was recognized by the Chair of the Bureau during his opening comments.

the State Parties Conference

Continue to develop cooperation with the Disability Alliance

During the general debate on the first day of the COSP the ICC made a statement delivered by Harvey Goldberg, Senior Policy Advisor, Canadian Human Rights Commission, highlighting the pivotal role NHRIs play in the effective monitoring of the implementation of the Convention.

(For further information see Annexure 3)

6.Strengthen cooperation with Treaty Bodies and Special Procedures

ICC strategic engagement to promote harmonization of working methods and cooperation between TB, SP and NHRIs

ICC strategic engagement with Special ProceduresSee Strategic Objective 2 No. 2 above

Treaty body strengthening process(See Annexure *)

ICC strategic engagement with Treaty BodiesThe ICC Geneva Representative has continued to meet with the treaty body secretariats to discuss harmonisation of working methods. This has been challenging as the Treaty Bodies prefer to retain their own working methods. There appears to be a need for more advocacy work with Treaty Body secretariats on the unique status of NHRIs and value of NHRI interventions within the treaty body process. (The Research referred to under Strategic Objective 2 No.1 being carried out by the ICC Geneva Office may be useful in this regard.)

7. Advocate for NHRI independent status before all UN bodies and agencies, including through an increased presence at treaty bodies and states parties in New York

Intensify the focus on New York to gain recognition for this objective. Advocacy for a GA resolution to this effect.

UNDP hosted Seminar in New York

The ICC Chair, ICC Secretary, Regional Chairs, staff from the regional coordinating committees, the ICC Geneva Representative, and ICC Liaison Officer (ICC Chairs Office) actively participated in a Seminar for National Human Rights Institutions Commemorating the 20 th Anniversary of the Paris principles, 12 July 2013, hosted by UNDP in New York. A number of key New York based stakeholders and diplomats attended the Seminar.

ICC Geneva Representative has met with a number of New York based NGOs to enlist support for increased presence of NHRIs in the UN system.

UN General Assembly Resolution

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The ICC Geneva Representative is liaising with the German Institute for Human Rights and the German Government which will sponsor the next NHRI Resolution at the 68 th Session of the UN General Assembly later in 2013.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 3: TO BUILD PARTNERSHIPS AND ENGAGE EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS


Development activities1. Outreach to partners and key stakeholders

Continue cooperation with IOI and other regional and international Ombudsman’s organisations, and furtherdevelop relationship with UNDPDevelop cooperation with INGOs (regular Geneva meetings), including with International Disability Alliance (see 3.3 above)Undertake selected presentations to key stakeholders on role and value of NHRIs in the international

Cooperation with IOI

The former ICC Chair, ICC Geneva Representative and current ICC Chair’s office staff met with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the IOI in the fringes of the ICC meeting in May 2013. The meeting sought to explore the possibility of developing and signing a memorandum of understanding. The IOI undertook to prepare a first draft.

ICC/UNDP/OHCHR Partnership

The ICC/UNDP/OHCHR partnership meeting in New York in July 2013 was very successful. The ICC was represented by the ICC Chair, ICC Secretary, ICC Geneva Representative, ICC Regional Chairs and Representatives and ICC Liaison Officer (ICC Chairs Office).

frameworks2. Business and human rights

Follow up on Edinburgh Conference and regional workshops; strengthen capacity of NHRIs; promote cooperation with international and regional mechanisms, including UN Working Group

Promote cooperation with international and regional mechanisms, including the UN Working GroupSee Annexure *

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 4: TO DEVELOP KNOWLEDGE AND INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS


Ongoing activities2. ICC Bureau meeting

ICC 26

Key planning and management decisions made, and information sharing on good practice.

See ICC Bureau Record of Decisions Annexure 5

Developing activities3. Expand online information sharing

Review structure and management systems of NHRI.net website

Implement recommendations

The ICC website is uploaded on a regular basis both under news and under the themes/activities relevant information for and about NHRIs.

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agreed from the above review

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 5: TO SUPPORT THE STRENGTHENING OF REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND COORDINATING COMMITTEES OF NHRIS Activity Outputs Progress report

Development activities1. Respond to requests by regions to provide support for the strengthening of ICC regional coordinating bodies

Provision of advice and support as requested

During this period the ICC Chair, ICC Secretary and ICC Geneva Representative have actively engaged with all of the regional coordinating bodies, including through attendance at regional meetings.

Attendance at Regional annual meetings and Inter-regional meetings The ICC Chair, ICC Geneva Representative attended the Commonwealth Forum of NHRIS

in Geneva in May 2013 The ICC Chair attended the Arab European Human Rights Dialogue in Copenhagen in

September 2013 The ICC Chair attended the Asia Pacific Regional annual Meeting in Qatar in October 2013. The ICC Geneva Representative attended the Americas Regional annual Meeting in Mexico

City in October 2013.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 6: TO ENSURE THAT THE ICC HAS A LEVEL OF REOURCES ADEQUATE TO ENSURE ITS INDEPENDENCE, VIABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY


Developing activities1. Implement 3 year fundraising strategy

Continue to implement the fundraising plan

See ICC Finance Committee report to the ICC Bureau

agreed at ICC24 with annual budget and plan;

Further develop and implement procedures for timely payment of membership fees

SubscriptionsSee Annexure 6

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 7: ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE ICC


Ongoing activities1. Embed systems for the organization and management of the ICC that can be run independent of the institution which supports the ICC Chair

Further embed systems for: financial management; membership fees; patterns of delegating ICC Chair representation; service level agreement with NIRMS, and finalise an ICC manual

Finances allowing, make ICC Geneva Representative a permanent position;

.See Annexure 6

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continue programme of provision of an ICC Geneva Intern

2. Development of ICC legal status

Register ICC statute changes

Complete application to be registered for tax exemption

See Annexure 6

Annexure 1

23rd session of the Human Rights Council27 May to 14 June 2013

Geneva

Introduction

The 23rd session of the Human Rights Council (the Council) was held in Geneva from 27 May to 14 June 2013. Several hundred participants including UN member States, UN bodies, NHRIs and non-governmental organisation representatives participated in the session.

A total of thirty two NHRIs from across all regions, including the APF as regional coordinator for Asia Pacific and the ICC Working Group on Business and Human Rights contributed to the Council session through various means including participation in plenary meetings, presentation of oral and video statements and submission of written contributions.

Contributions were made on the following substantive issues: the human rights of migrants; human rights and transnational corporations; right to peaceful assembly and freedom of association; right to education; extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; business and human rights; women’s human rights; UPR; sexual orientation and gender identity; and the 2013 Secretary General reports on NHRIs and the ICC accreditation process respectively.

The high level of NHRI engagement was, however, not proportionately reflected across the various segments of the Council session. The Council witnessed the active participation of a few NHRIs on various substantive issues, and a large number of predominantly European NHRIs contribute through a joint oral statement on the thematic issue of sexual orientation and gender identity.

The level of engagement between NHRIs and Special Procedures mandate holders was particularly low compared to previous sessions. A higher level of NHRI engagement was witnessed in deliberations concerning the adoption of UPR reports.

The OHCHR and ICC strategic priority of advancing the human rights of women and girls was a key thematic focus of the 23rd Council session, to which the ICC contributed.A significant highlight of the session was the adoption, by consensus, of the third Council resolution on NHRIs tabled by Australia. The resolution inter alia acknowledges the important role NHRIs can play in promoting and protecting the rights of women and girls.

The ICC was represented through remote participation by the incoming ICC Chair Adv. Lawrence Mushwana, and the in person participation of ICC Geneva Representative Bruce Adamson and Assistant ICC Geneva Representative Sarah Pallesen.

All NHRI contributions to the 23rd Council session, including oral statements, written submissions and video recordings of the various meetings of the session can be accessed on this page below.

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NHRI interaction with Special ProceduresOut of the thirteen A status NHRIs concerned by Special Procedures HRC 23 country mission reports, only four NHRIs contributed to the interactive dialogue with Special Procedures.

The Greek National Commission for Human Rights contributed on the findings of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants’ country mission to Greece.

The three UK NHRIs1 contributed on the findings of the Special Rapporteur on peaceful assembly and association’s country mission to the UK.

Both oral interventions were delivered upon request by the ICC Geneva Representative and on behalf of the Paris Principles compliant NHRIs concerned.

The NHRIs of Ecuador and India respectively made written submissions to the Council prior to the session on the country mission report on Ecuador by the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, and the country mission report on India by the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary.

NHRI participation in general debates

The majority of NHRI contributions were made during the general debates of the Council.

On the general debate, item 3 regarding the panel on business and human rights the Canadian Human Rights Commission welcomed the UN Secretary General and UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights’ call to reflect the mainstreaming of business and human rights in the post-2015 development agenda goals, strategies, policies and practices.

On the general debate item 3, regarding the work of the UN Working Group on human rights and transnational corporations the Canadian Human Rights Commission as Chair of the ICC Working Group on business and human rights informed the Council that it the ICC Working Group will continue to provide guidance and tools to NHRIs on the UN Guiding Principles. Capacity building tools, including regional and thematic training supplements, side events, a website compendium of proven practices, and a series of fact sheets developed in collaboration its other key institutions, continue to be developed by the ICC Working Group for the benefit of NHRIs.

A representative from the Australian Human Rights Commission presented at the HRC annual full-day discussion on women’s human rights, which is organised pursuant to Human Rights Council Resolution No 6/30. The focus for this year’s discussion was on prevention and elimination of violence against women. The AHRC representative spoke on the linkages between wrongful gender stereotyping and violence against women and domestic violence as a workplace issue. During the general debate, the ICC Chair gave a video statement affirming the ICC’s commitment to give priority to women’s public and political participation, economic and social rights, health and reproductive rights, and to address violence against women and girls.

1 The three UK NHRIs are Great Britain’s Equality and Human Rights Commission, the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and the Scottish Human Rights Commission.

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On the same agenda item, the Canadian Human Rights Commission brought the Council’s attention to the disproportionate burden of violence born by indigenous women and girls in Canada. The Commission used the opportunity to urge the Government of Canada to take specific, named actions to address and prevent the roots causes of violence.

On the general debate, item 8 regarding follow-up and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, ICC Geneva Representative speaking on behalf of the ICC, welcomed the Secretary General reports on NHRIs and the ICC accreditation process respectively. The Geneva Representative noted with appreciation the Secretary General’s emphasis on recent improvements in the accreditation process of national human rights institutions; and welcomed the 2013 report of the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, which acknowledges that NHRIs and their members and staff can be considered as human rights defenders.

On the same agenda item, the Australian Human Rights Commission on behalf of 28 other NHRIs 2 delivered a statement on sexual orientation and gender identity. The statement expressed concern for the systemic and continuing human rights violations on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity and of intersex persons in all regions of the world; and called on the Human Rights Council to encourage States to accept recommendations and implement commitments made through the UPR process related to sexual orientation and gender identity. It stressed that NHRIs play a crucial role in protecting and promoting the rights of LGBT people.

Adoption of Working Group UPR reports

The NHRIs of France, Luxembourg and Serbia contributed with oral statements during the plenary meetings, before the adoption of UPR reports of their respective countries.

The Chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines Loretta Rosales participated as a panellist on the ‘Contribution of Parliaments to the Work of the Human Rights Council and its Universal Periodic Review’ panel. In her opening remarks, Loretta Rosales discussed how NHRIs and their respective parliaments can work together to implement international human rights standards as exemplified in New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, India, Philippines and South Africa. She also discussed how parliaments can play a stronger role in the entire UPR process.

Council adopts its third resolution on NHRIs

A successful outcome of the session was the Council’s adoption by consensus of its third resolution on NHRIs A/HRC/23/L.15 (attached). The resolution, was presented by Australia and co-sponsored by a cross regional group of states.

The resolution gives a thematic focus to the contribution of NHRIs towards promoting and protecting the rights of women and girls, while recognising the important role played by NHRIs in the Council, including its UPR, the work of Special Procedures mandate holders and UN treaty bodies.

2 The statement was delivered on behalf of the A status NHRIs of the following states: Australia, Albania, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, El Salvador, France, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Northern Ireland, Philippines, Portugal, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Thailand and Ukraine.

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As a direct result of ICC advocacy led by the ICC Geneva Representative with support by the APF, the resolution gives recognition to the most recent:

Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defender, which focused on NHRIs and acknowledges that NHRIs and their members and staff can be viewed as human rights defenders;

Report of the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice, and its recommendations regarding the role NHRIs can play in creating a coherent institutional ar -chitecture for women’s human rights and gender equality; and

The commitment of NHRIs to give priority to women’s political and public participation, economic and social rights and health and reproductive rights, and efforts to address violence against women and girls as reflected in the Amman Declaration and Programme of Action.

In order to streamline the work of the Council, its resolutions on NHRIs will henceforth be presented on a biennial basis. This will ensure that the UN Secretary General’s reports on NHRIs and the ICC accreditation process respectively coincide with his reporting to the General Assembly in odd-numbered years. The Council resolution on NHRIs will run in alternate even-numbered years, with the next one presented at the 27th Council session in September 2014.

Further to ICC advocacy in relation to this year’s Council resolution on NHRIs, the ICC Geneva Representative provided wording to strengthen references made to NHRIs in the Council resolution on the Working Group on discrimination against women presented by Colombia and Mexico A/HRC/23/L.13.

As a result thereof the resolution on discrimination against women makes the following reference to NHRI:

Recognizing that gender responsiveness is an essential part of the role for effective NHRIs as estab-lished by the Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions (The Paris Principles) adopted by General Assembly resolution 48/134 of 20 December 1993,

Calls upon States to improve resources for NHRIs and specialized mechanisms for women’s human rights and gender equality;

ICC activities in support of NHRI engagement at HRC 23

Further to advocating for the adoption of the Council resolutions, the ICC Geneva Representative with the support of NIRMS provided assistance and advice to NHIRs and regional coordinators in their engagement with the Council, both prior to and during its 23rd session.

Activities included: Identifying opportunities to engage; assisting in the preparation of written submissions and oral statements presented to the HRC; co-drafting and obtaining cross-regional support for the 2013 resolution on NHRIs; organizing meetings and liaising with key stakeholders; delivering statements on behalf of A status NHRIs and reporting back.

Conclusion

The 23rd session of the Council witnessed a relatively low level of NHRI engagement in light of previous sessions and the many opportunities for engagement afforded to NHRIs as a result of ICC advocacy.

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These include the right to: Contribute to all agenda items of the Council’s programme of work; Intervene immediately after the country concerned during the interactive dialogue, following the

presentation of a country mission report by a special procedure mandate holder as well after the country concerned during the adoption of adoption of UPR Working Group reports; and

Deliver pre-recorded video statements.

The ICC strongly encourages NHRIs to exercise these rights and stands ready to assist NHRIs effectively engage with the various mechanisms of the Council.

In preparation for the 24th Council session in September 2014, the ICC Geneva Office will seek to actively involve the ICC regional networks in ensuring broad cross regional representation of NHRIs on all agenda items of the Council.

While in person NHRI participation at Council sessions is an invaluable opportunity to engage directly with UN human rights mechanisms, pre-recorded video statements presented before the Council serve as an effective and powerful tool of engagement for NHRIs who may not be able to travel to Geneva. The ICC encourages NHRIs to make use of this tool.

A major success for the ICC at this session was the adoption, by consensus, of the resolution on NHRIs which in line with the thematic focus of the Council, focuses on the role of the NHRIs in promoting and protecting the rights of women and girls.

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Annexure 3

INTERNATIONAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE OFNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR THE PROMOTION AND

PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (ICC)

REPORT TO THE ICC

NHRI Participation at the Sixth Conference of States Parties to the

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

1. In 2011 the ICC Bureau resolved to take steps to increase the involvement of the ICC and NHRIs in the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). ICC participation at the Sixth Conference of States Parties of the CRPD (COSP) served to further the implementation of this resolution. The COSP took place from July 17 to 19, 2013 at UN Headquarters in New York.

2. ICC preparations for the COSP and its involvement at the meeting were led by the Canadians Human Rights Commission. No other NHRIs participated actively in the COSP Three other NHRI’s had registered to attend but did not make themselves known to the CHRC representative.

3. As a result of ICC diplomacy over the last four years, the COSP continued its policy of ad hoc recognition of the ICC/NHRIs participation in the work of the COSP. As with the past two COSPs, the ICC was given assigned seating with a name tag, accorded the right to make statements, and was recognized by the Chair of the Bureau during his opening comments.

4. During the general debate on the first day of the COSP the ICC made a statement delivered by Harvey Goldberg, Senior Policy Advisor, Canadian Human Rights Commission, highlighting the pivotal role NHRIs play in the effective monitoring of the implementation of the Convention. (See statement follow-ing.)

5. In addition to representatives of States Parties (132 States have now ratified) hundreds of representat-ives of organizations representing the interests of people with disabilities participated. The COSP of the CRPD is different from COSPs under other treaties that meet infrequently. In contrast, the CRPD COSP meets yearly to discuss issues relevant to the overall implementation of the Convention and, more gen-erally, the situation of the one billion people with disabilities in the world. As such it is an ideal forum for NHRIs to further their disability rights activities.

6. The COSP main focus was on disability and development. The UN’s Millennial Development Goals were adopted prior to work beginning on the CRPD and completely excluded persons with disabilities from the UN development agenda. With the Millennial Development program coming to an end in 2015, ma-

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jor efforts are underway to ensure that people with disabilities are included in the post-2015 develop-ment agenda.

7. On September 23 a one-day high-level meeting of the General Assembly on disability (HLMD) will be held under the theme: “The way forward: a disability inclusive development agenda towards 2015 and beyond” The HLMD will include of a plenary meeting and two consecutive informal interactive round tables. Participation in each round table will include Member States, observers and representatives of entities of the United Nations system, as well as representatives of civil society, organizations of persons with disabilities and the private sector.

8. This will be the first time that world leaders have ever met to discuss the situation of persons with dis-abilities. Extensive consultations have been held in preparation of the High Level Meeting. State Parties and representatives of persons with disabilities speaking at the COSP expressed guarded optimism that the post-2015 agenda will include the concerns of persons with disabilities.

9. The 7th COSP will likely take place in September 2014 in New York. A theme has not yet been an-nounced.

Recommendation

1. NHRIs should be encouraged by the ICC to participate in the work of the COSP with, ideally, each ICC region having one A Status institution in attendance.

2. The ICC should continue its efforts to have the ICC and NHRIs formally recognized by the Confer-ence of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

3. Consideration should be give to the ICC organizing a side-event at COSP 7.

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Statement

of the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions

for the Protection and the Promotion of Human Rights to the

Sixth Conference of States Parties of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

presented by Harvey Goldberg, Canadian Human Rights Commission

17 July 2013, UN Headquarters, New York

I am speaking on behalf of the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights (the ICC).

National Human Rights Institutions play a vital role in promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities. They perform functions such as research, promotion, consultation, complaints handling, and, most importantly, monitoring of human rights commitments.

Article 33 is an innovative feature of the CRPD that aims to create an ongoing domestic dialogue on implementation between State Parties, their civil society organizations, and organizations of people with disabilities. By doing so, Article 33 can fill the gap between the periodic international monitoring process and day-to-day domestic implementation.

As part of the Article 33 framework, State Parties are required to create independent mechanisms to be involved in the promotion, protection and monitoring of Convention obligations. In creating these mechanisms State Parties are required to take into consideration the Paris Principles for the good governance of National Institutions.

Around the world there are 69 National Institutions accredited by the ICC to comply with the Paris Principles. Although over a dozen A Status NHRIs have been given monitoring roles by their States overall implementation has been slow. In all its state party reviews to date, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has urged the State Parties to fully implement Article 33. The ICC wishes to call the attention of State Parties to their obligations under Article 33 and encourage its full implementation.

The ICC acknowledges the openness the Conference to the participation of NHRI. However, we regret that, as of yet, the ICC lacks official status. The ICC looks forwards to renewed discussions with the Bureau on how the role of National Institutions can be formalized in the work of the Conference. This would be in line with the evolving practice of many UN bodies.

Chair, where ever they live, people with disabilities are disproportionally represented among the poor. The reasons for this are complex. But it is clear that a key factor in the ill treatment of people with disabilities is the tendency of many societal institutions to treat people with disabilities as the objects of benevolence and charity. In fact, people with disabilities are rights holders. States have an obligation to ensure that all persons with disabilities have access to an adequate standard of living on the same basis as other citizens and in a manner that accommodates the special needs arising from an individual’s disability.

Chair, thank you for the opportunity to make this statement.

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Annexure 4ICC strategic engagement

Calendar of relevant UN Geneva-based meetings and eventsMay 2013 – March 2014

Event Dates Webpage & Secretariat ICC/NHRI participation50th CESCR session April – May 2013 http://

www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cescr/sessions.htm

ICC advice and assistance to help NHRIs engagement

16th UPR session 22 April -3 May 2013

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/UPRMain.aspx


50th CAT session 6 – 31 May 2013 http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cat/sessions.htm


51st CESCR pre-session WG

May 2013 http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cescr/sessions.htm

23rd HRC session June 2013 http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Pages/WelcomePage.aspx

ICC strategic engagement

Annual Meeting of Special Procedures and Annual Meeting of Chairpersons of the Treaty Bodies

June 2013 http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/AMeeting/Pages/AnnualMeeting.aspx

ICC statements

6th session of Expert Mechanisms on the Right of Indigenous Peoples

July 2013 http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IPeoples/EMRIP/Pages/Inter-sessionalactivities2011-2012.aspx


55th session of CEDAW

July 2013(New York)

http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cedaw/sessions.htm


108th HR Committee session

8 – 28 July 2013 http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrc/sessions.htm


11th HRC Advisory session

August 2013 http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/AdvisoryCommittee/Pages/Sessions.aspx


24th HRC session September 2013 http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Pages/WelcomePage.aspx


56th CEDAW session October 2013 http://www2.ohchr.org/


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english/bodies/cedaw/sessions.htm

17th UPR session 21 October – 1 November 2013

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/MeetingsHighlightsSession17.aspx


109th HR Committee session

14 October – 1 November 2013

http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrc/sessions.htm


51st CESCR session November 2013 http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cescr/sessions.htm


52nd CESCR pre-sessional WG

December 2013 http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cescr/sessions.htm


65th CRC session 13 -31 January 2014

http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/crc/crcs65.htm


18th UPR session 27 January – 7 February 2014

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/UPRSessions.aspx


67th CRC PSWG 3 – 7 February 2014

http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/crc/crcwg67.htm


84th CERD session 3 – 21 February 2014

http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/treatybodyexternal/SessionDetails1.aspx?SessionID=894&Lang=en


25th Human Rights Council session

3 – 28 March 2014

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/Sessions.aspx

ICC strategic engagement /ICC advice and assistance to help NHRIs engagement

57th CEDAW session 10 – 28 February 2014



110th Human Rights Committee session

10 – 28 March 2014



11th CRPD session 31 March – 11 April 2014

http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/


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_layouts/treatybodyexternal/SessionDetails1.aspx?SessionID=909&Lang=en

Calendar of relevant UN New York-based meetings and eventsMay 2013 - March 2014

Calendar still in progress pending unscheduled upcoming events

Event Dates Webpage & Secretariat NHRI participation12th session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples

May 2013 http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/en/session_eleventh.html

Secretariat:[email protected]

http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/en/secretariat.html


55th session of CEDAW

July 2013 http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cedaw/sessions.htm

ICC advice and assistance to help NHRIs engage

Working Group on Ageing

n.a. http://social.un.org/ageing-working-group/index.shtml

Secretariat:[email protected]

OHCHR contact:[email protected]

Side events

In 2011 - 2012, several NHRIs have been invited as panellists however NHRI participation rights have not formally been confirmed

6th session of the State Parties Conference on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

September 2013 http://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=1535

Secretariat: [email protected]

Side events

Attendance in sessions

Statements

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Annexure 5INTERNATIONAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE OF

NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR THE PROMOTION ANDPROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (ICC)

DRAFT RECORD OF DECISIONS

ICC BUREAU MEETINGMonday 6 and Tuesday 7 May 2013

(Room XIX, Palais des Nations)Geneva, Switzerland

1. Welcome & Adoption of the draft agenda for the ICC Bureau meeting

The ICC Chair welcomed the ICC Bureau and that the latter adopted the draft agenda for the ICC Bureau Meeting.

2. OHCHR/NIRMS highlights: Strategic planning and priorities

The Chief of NIRMS updated the ICC Bureau on the ICC and NIRMS cooperative relationship; involvement of the ICC and ICC regions in OHCHR and NIRMS’ strategic and operational planning.

3. ICC Regional highlights: Key impacts, challenges and next steps

The ICC Regional Chairs and Chairperson updated the ICC Bureau on key regional impacts, challenges and next steps.

4. ICC Progress report; ICC Operational Plan; ICC Strategic Planning

The Bureau again confirmed the Record of Decisions of the ICC Bureau meeting that was held and Record of Decisions adopted in November 2012;

The ICC Bureau received and confirmed the ICC Progress Report from November 2012 to May 2013;

The ICC Bureau received and confirmed the APF Report on the ICC Mission to New York; The Bureau created a planning group to take forward strategic and operational planning, to

consist of the four regional coordinators, outgoing Chair, and incoming Chair.

5. ICC Finance & Administration

The Chair of the Finance Committee presented the Finance Committee report; As the audited accounts were not available the Bureau did not adopt the report; The Bureau required the outgoing and incoming Chair to present a report of the financial

situation of the ICC within four weeks.

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6. Sub Committee on Accreditation report

The ICC Bureau received the SCA report on the March-April 2012 session; The ICC Bureau received and agreed the updated and consolidated General Observations. The ICC Bureau received and agreed the three new General Observations; The ICC Bureau requested that the SCA develop a paper on the eligibility of NHRIs

established by a non-member state of the United Nations to apply for ICC accreditation.

7. ICC Working Group on Business and Human Rights

The ICC Bureau received and agreed the ICC Working Group on Business and Human Rights report, fact sheets, and training guidebook.

The ICC Bureau renewed the mandate of the ICC Working Group on Business and Human Rights.

8. Decision on location of next ICC Bureau meeting

The next Bureau meeting will be held in Accra, Ghana alongside the NANHRI conference.

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Annexure 6PROGRESS REPORT

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 7: ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE ICC

IntroductionDuring the ICC Bureau Meeting of 6 May 2013, it became clear that the ICC was facing a number of legal and financial challenges that needed urgent attention. At that stage, from the advice received from the ICC lawyer and the information on hand it appeared that the challenges were not insurmountable and that they would be quickly resolved within the space of a couple weeks. However, towards the end of May 2013 and the 1st week of June 2013, it became clear that all the issues were going to take far longer to resolve than what had been advised and/or anticipated. The challenges and their current status are as follows:

1. Legal status of the ICCThe Swiss Trade Registry with the names of the office bearers had not been updated when the Chair passed from New Zealand to Jordan during 2013. Neither of the signatories, nor any of the board members listed in the trade registry were currently members of the ICC Bureau. This needed to be done urgently in order that the bank would be in a position to make changes to who may access the account.

Initially, this process was estimated to take 1 – 2 weeks. It took much longer and only on 12 June 2013 was the matter resolved.

2. Access to the bank accountThe current ICC Chair did not have access to the bank account. In fact, there was no person who had had access to the bank account and therefore no payments could be made.

The legal status of the ICC had to first be resolved before the ICC Geneva Representative could assist in facilitating the necessary processes with the bank in order that the ICC Chair could gain access to bank statements and operate the bank account. Access to the bank account was gained on 22 August 2013.

3. Credit CardIn October 2013, the ICC Chair and ICC Secretary received ICC Credit Cards. The ICC Geneva Representative also holds a credit card. There appears to be no policy on the use of the credit card. It was recommended to the ICC Chair by the bank manager that such a policy be developed.

4. Books of accountThe Jordanian Centre for Human Rights had not submitted the fourth quarter information to the ICC accountant in order that the books of account could be written up. Furthermore the 2013 first-quarter financials had also not been submitted to the ICC accountant.

Since the ICC Bureau Meeting there has been speedy and excellent cooperation from the Jordanian Centre for Human Rights to resolve this matter, in particular from Hussein Bitar who has provided excellent cooperation. Within two weeks all the necessary documentation had been forwarded to the ICC accountant. On Monday, 27 May 2013, a meeting took place between the ICC accountant, Gabriel Revaz and Judith

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Cohen of the South African Human Rights Commission in order to determine a way forward. However, since such date the necessary cooperation from the ICC accountant was not received and he remained unreachable until Friday, 14 June 2013, the ICC accountant at which date he undertook to attend to the books of account. The accountant reverted in late June with a series of questions that required answers relating to the books of account. These had to be sourced from Jordan and New Zealand and this process continued well into July 2013. The accountant was also unavailable for a period of approximately of one month due to the death of his father and because he was travelling. Eventually after numerous emails the books of account for were prepared up until the end of June 2013. However, during the period May – September, due to a combination of the accountant not being accessible and the bank account not being accessible, a number of payments were not made in respect of staff taxes and insurances ( see staff matters beneath).

5. AuditOnce the 2012 Books of account were submitted to the auditors during September, the audit progressed smoothly. There were a few queries which were attended to by the ICC Chairs office thereby avoiding any matters of emphasis. The audit was received on 4 October 2013 and submitted to the ICC Finance Sub Committee.

6. Payment of staff salariesThere was a crisis at the end of May 2013 when the ICC was unable to pay staff salaries due to not having access to the ICC bank account. This crisis was resolved through the intervention of the Asia Pacific Forum (APF) which agreed to ensure that the ICC staff salaries are paid on time until such time that access to the bank account was secured. The APF assisted for the months of May, June and July were promptly repaid once access to the ICC bank account was regained. The ICC Chair wishes to acknowledge with gratitude the Asia Pacific Regional Chair and the APF for assisting.

7. Interim Contingency PlanA constructive meeting was held with NIRMS on 10 June 2013 in which the various financial challenges were brought to their attention. It was agreed that NIRMS would advance travel monies on the next ICC UN Grant Agreement (2013) in order that the ICC would not be paralyzed and that it may continue with its important work. These travel monies will be subtracted when this UN Grant Agreement is activated.

Already, the ICC Chairperson had had to cancel a meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, due to have taken place on 10 June 2013 due to a lack of access to funds.

During the period, June through until August when access to the ICC bank account was attained monies were accessed via NIRMS in order that the ICC Geneva Representative could attend the ICC/UNDP/OHCHR Meeting in New York, July, 2013 and that the ICC Secretary and ICC Geneva Assistant could attend the VDPA High Level Expert Conference in Vienna (June 2013) (Total USD 8 456)

8. Current UN Grant Agreement (December 2012 - May 2013)It was further agreed at the meeting with NIRMS on 10 June 2013 that it would be advisable to inform the UN Grant Committee of the current situation regarding the ICC finances. Furthermore, that as the books of account have not been written up, the ICC is unable at this stage to determine the exact amount of funds from the UN Grant Agreement that have been spent. In the circumstances, it was requested that the period of this UN Grant Agreement would be extended. The extension was granted until 30 September 2013. Given that access to the bank account was only gained late in August 2013 a further extension is currently being

28

requested until 31 December 2013. NIRMS has been providing valuable technical assistance and advice in relation to this matter.

9. SubscriptionsDue to challenges with accessing the bank accounts the ICC Chair’s office was not able to verify subscription payments for 2013. It was also not possible to verify if all invoices for 2013 had been sent out. Requests for invoices for subscriptions fees for 2013 are received regularly by the ICC Chair’s office, despite an indication that these were all sent out in the first quarter. Upon review it is apparent that the subscriptions database has not been updated regularly. The ICC Chair’s office will need to undertake a comprehensive review and verification of previous year’s subscriptions payments in order to ensure that there is a reliable and accurate database.

There also appears to be a need for systems and greater communication in order to ensure that the subscriptions membership information database is updated regularly, particularly after each accreditation session.

The 2011 ICC Financial Procedures states that the ICC Secretariat is responsible for the quarterly updated record of membership subscription fees. It is unclear where the responsibility for the day to day administra -tion and production of the quarterly Subscription Reports should lie. The current practice appears to be that the ICC Chairs’ office takes responsibility for this task which requires some considerable administrative work given the growth of the organisation.

10. Strategic Plan and Budget 2013Despite various requests amongst those involved in the process of drafting the ICC Strategic Plan and Budget for 2013, the staff of the new ICC Chair were unable to locate any further drafts thereon from after the ICC Bureau Meeting was held in Amman Jordan in November 2012. Following on from the ICC/UNDP/OHCHR Partnership meeting in July 2013 in which a number of fruitful strategic discussions were held the ICC Chairs office put together a draft Strategic Plan for the three year period 2014 – 2016 and a 2014 Implementation Plan. The drafts have been circulated for comments to the Strategic Planning Task Force which has been reconstituted. In addition, for 2013, it is proposed that the current Strategic Plan and Implementation be extended until 31 December 2013 and an annual 2013 Budget has been provided for input to the ICC Finance Sub Committee.

11. Working Groups and designated NHRIsIt appears that there are a number of Working Groups that currently exist within the ICC. Some are active, others obsolete, while in other cases it is unclear if the Working Group has a clear Terms of Reference. The ICC Chairs Office has been following up on the various Working Groups in order to determine the current status of each of these Working Groups.

There also appears to be a practice of the ICC Chair appointing a particular NHRI or person within a NHRI as an expert to represent the ICC on a particular matter. The ICC Chairs Office is in the office of following up on this matter in an attempt to understand the current practice.

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12. ICC Geneva Representative 12.1 Permanent position

The ICC lawyer has advised the ICC that it is not permissible in terms of Swiss law to continue entering into annual contracts of employments with an employee. It has been advised that the contract of employment with Katharina Rose be made permanent. The agreement will be presented at this Bureau meeting.

12.2 Maternity leaveThere was no written maternity leave agreement with Katharina Rose in May. The ICC Chair had to attend to this matter after the fact when Katharina had almost returned from maternity leave. The agreement will be presented at this Bureau meeting.

12.3 Maternity leave replacement staffBruce Adamson was the ICC Geneva Representative from February until October 2013. During this period the necessary cooperation was not received from the accountant to ensure that his tax and insurance status was regularised in Switzerland.

The ICC Geneva Representative went on sick leave at the beginning of February 2013 and a handover process did not take place. This caused considerable challenges as the temporary ICC Geneva Representative did not have access to the office laptop (which had all the necessary institutional memory), and cell phone for the duration of his contract.

13. ICC Geneva InternIn January 2012, the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) assisted the ICC Geneva Representative in recruiting an intern to support the work of the ICC Geneva Office. In July 2012, the ICC Geneva intern was formally employed by the DIHR as a Human Rights Officer to continue to assist the ICC Geneva Representative in meeting the increasing demands for support by the ICC membership.

The Human Rights Officer’s contract was extended to 31 May 2013 recognising the important work that she had been doing. This was further extended to 30 September 2013 in response to the challenging situation that the ICC was in and the need for additional support in the Geneva Office. The Danish Institute has extended this contract for a final time until 31 December 2013.

ConclusionsThe ICC Geneva office and ICC Chairs’ office staff have spent a considerable amount of time during the past 6 months attending to administrative and financial matters of the ICC. Attending to these matters has been time consuming and seriously hampered by the lack of the ICC having an institutional memory and a very limited collection of institutional documents that appear to be housed in different locations around the world.

The work demands on the ICC Geneva office have grown, so too has the membership of the ICC. There does not appear to be sufficient systems and policies in place to address the daily functioning of the organisation in order that staff may focus on their core work.

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