Inputs from UNDP Mongolia

Dear colleagues,
As mentioned in many other previous interventions during this interesting discussion national ownership is critical both in engaging with the international human rights machinery and in the process of development programming.

As an illustration I would like to offer the following example from our programming practice. While the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia was designing its national inquiry on torture (2005-2006) it became palpable that the issue, though long public knowledge in the country, receives support from the international community to encourage a more responsive government. Overall the success of the national inquiry had depended on many variables often outside the control of the national institution. For instance, intricate procedural steps to deliver an invitation and fitting in to the demanding schedule of the Special Rapporteur has been a true challenge on itself for the Commission. At the end parliamentary hearings on the findings of the inquiry report, which had strong reference to the Special Rapporteurs mission report (2005), resulted in generating strong political will to address the issue, in particular through appointing an inter-ministerial working group for aligning national legislation with provisions of international human rights instruments and allocating extra-budgetary means to law enforcement agencies. In a parallel development the NHRAP Operational Plan (2006-2008) had captured among other human rights issues the main essence of the parliamentary resolution (2006) on the torture inquiry. The operational plan in turn had served as one of the important national policy frameworks to develop the new UNDP Access to Justice and Human Rights Programme (2007-2009).

On the second point, I would like to share some comments on Country Profiles prepared by OHCHR as part of the Action 2 initiative. These profiles are useful tools in both preparing analytical and substantive programming documents at the UNCT and in the design and execution of agency specific thematic advocacy campaigns. The content of country profiles could be enhanced to maximize inter-agency cooperation by updating/enriching the document with, for example, situational analysis section from CCA and relevant components of UNDAF, when available and upon consultation with UNCT. Additionally, a brief HRBA review of country programming documents could also become part of the country profile. Apart from the UNCT such information could be of value to the treaty body committees. The process of preparing country profiles in a consultative and participatory manner may ultimately lead to improving United Nations human rights related action at the national level.


With best regards,

MUNKHBAT Nyamaa
Human Rights Analyst
UNDP/Mongolia