A new plan to guide the work of the International Coordinating Committee (ICC) of National Human Rights Institutions will be discussed and adopted when national rights bodies from around the globe meet in Geneva next month.

Delegates will consider five key strategic objectives for the organisation between 2010 and 2013:

• to maintain and strengthen the accreditation process for NHRIs
• to enhance NHRI engagement with the international and regional human rights systems
• to build partnerships and engage with external stakeholders
• to develop knowledge sharing and internal communications
• to strengthen the work and functioning of regional organisations of NHRIs.

The ICC’s first strategic plan, which was developed following consultations with a broad range of stakeholders, also identifies a number of key thematic priorities for NHRIs and the ICC as a whole.

ICC 23, to be held in Geneva from 23-25 March, will bring together NHRIs from each of the four global regions: Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Asia Pacific.

The meeting will include discussions on human rights and business; following up on recommendations from international human rights bodies; HIV/AIDS and human rights; outcomes from the Durban Review Conference; and progress on the draft UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training.

A session on protection of the rights of women and children will feature a presentation by the Special Representative on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais. It will also highlight recent advocacy efforts to secure the independent participation of NHRIs at the UN Commission on the Status of Women, a project undertaken by the ICC Chairperson and the APF’s Deputy Director in partnership with many NHRIs.

New ICC Chairperson

In November 2009, the ICC Bureau warmly welcomed the APF nomination of Rosslyn Noonan, Chief Commissioner of the New Zealand Human Rights Commission, as the next ICC Chairperson.

She will take over leadership of the organisation from Jennifer Lynch QC, Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, who is completing her three-year term.

The African Network of NHRIs nominated the Kenyan National Human Rights Commission to be the incoming Secretary of the ICC.

The nominees to the positions of ICC Chairperson and Secretary will be formally endorsed by the ICC General Assembly during the closing session of ICC 23.

Read more

• ICC 23 meeting documents, NRHI Forum website