Geneva,
26 September 2014 - The Committee on
Enforced Disappearances (Committee) adopted at its 7th Session a key
document to clarify and further develop the relationship between the Committee
and national human rights institutions (NHRIs).
“During
these two weeks of intensive work, we have taken a series
of important decisions. The Committee has adopted a document on cooperation
with the NHRIs, transposing the guidelines in respect of NGOs already
published. This document is the final stage of a number of open consultations,
including with the International Coordinating Committee of NHRIs to reflect the
priorities of each”, stated the Committee Chairperson Emmanuel Decaux at its closing remarks.
The
document, entitled the Relationship of
the Committee on Enforced Disappearances with National Human Rights
Institutions, is the result of a wide consultative and cooperative process
between the Committee and NHRIs from around the globe.
In
November 2013, the CED met with the ICC representative in Geneva, to discuss
the relationship between the CED and NHRIs. The ICC provided initial comments
on the development of a draft CED paper. The CED subsequently appointed a
Rapporteur to develop a draft paper which was submitted for broad consultations
with the ICC and NHRIs.
The CED
paper describes the role of NHRIs in the reporting procedure and other
procedures under the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced
Disappearance (the Convention). The engagement opportunities identified
include:
· NHRIs’ role on the reporting procedure in encouraging and supporting states
to meet their reporting obligations.
· Submission of alternative reports and oral interventions, including
private meetings and submissions at an early stage.
· Contributions in follow-up to concluding observations.
· NHRIs’ role in relation to urgent action procedure, individual
communications procedure, country visits and in bringing information to the
Committee’s attention related to widespread or systematic practices of enforced
disappearances.
· Input on the drafting and the use of the Committee’s General Comments.
· NHRIs’ role in addressing women’s and children’s rights and in integrating
a gender perspective; in bringing to the attention of the Committee reports on
reprisals and in enhancing global outreach.
The
document also recognizes the importance of the use of technology to enhance
contributions form all regions during the Committee’s session, including video
or telephone conferences and webcasting.
ICC
Chairperson Adv. Lourence Mabedle Mushwana welcomed the adoption of the paper
as a major step to ensure further and broad cooperation between the Committee
and NHRIs in the implementation of the Convention for the Protection of All
Persons from Enforced Disappearance at the domestic and international levels.
The Document on The relationship of the Committee on Enforced
Disappearances with national human rights institutions is available here 
CED_C_6_7527_English.pdf, CED_C_6_7527_Spanish.pdf, and CED_C_6_7527_Arabic.pdf