The course itself draws on the experience and expertise of professionals who have engaged with the UN mechanisms throughout their careers. The professionals – ranging from ex-diplomats to UN Special Rapporteurs, offer their own perspectives on the functions of UN mechanisms in a discussion-based setting. Moreover, the course offers visits to observe first-hand how the UN Human Rights Council functions. This workshop arranged visits to the 52nd session of the Council, as well as the 36th session of the Committee on Migrant Workers. The actively engaged group consisted of participants originating from Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia.
A varied programme
Interactive sessions were led by Lead Trainer Kamelia Kemileva. Former Special Rapporteur on Housing, Miloon Kothari, offered his insights on how to reinforce national human rights mechanisms and include civil society in the Universal Periodic Review process. Other experts included Nahla Haidar, longtime member of the Committee on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Patrick Mutzenberg, Director of the Center for Civil and Political Rights and Dr. Ibrahim Salama, Chief of the Middle East and North Africa Section at the High Commissioner on Human Rights.
To provide further insights into the UN’s Special Procedures, discussions were held with Christopher Santora, member of the UN Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar and Nazila Ghanea, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. Further, the program also included discussions on the topics of national human rights institutions and Islamic law in connection with International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
The important role of academia and civil society
Since 2017, the Geneva Academy and NCHR have organized the United Nations Human Rights Mechanisms training programme, with the aim of increasing the capacity of local academics and ensure their thorough understanding of the UN human rights system. The trainings involve both theoretical and practical insights aimed at “bringing UN recommendations home”.