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PROMOTING
AND
PROTECTING
HUMAN RIGHTS
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
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HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE SDGS
Our work contributes to the achievement of several SDG targets.
These are the ones, that the results presented in this report, contribute to.
Editorial staff: Esben Geist (editor in chief),
Kathrine Storgaard Carlsen (editor), Amalie Schmidt,
Eva Grambye and Jakob Gorm Andreasen
ISBN: 978-87-93605-73-2
e-ISBN: 978-87-93605-74-9
Layout: Morten Bak
Print: JC Grafisk
Photos: Front page and p.22: Ollivier Girard,
p.6: OHCHR, p.7: Colourbox, p.9: Eva Grambye, p.
11: Eni Myanmar, p. 15: OHCHR, p. 16: Rentsendorj
Bazarsukh Reuters/Ritzau/Scanpix,
p. 17: Hichem AFP/Ritzau/Scanpix, p.21: P. Kalengo.
p. 25: Ministry of Justice/Kyrgyzstan.
© 2019 The Danish Institute for Human Rights
Denmark’s National Human Rights Institution
Wilders Plads 8 K,
DK-1403 København K
Phone +45 3269 8888
www.humanrights.dk
Provided such reproduction is for non-commercial
use, this publication, or parts of it, may be reproduced
if author and source are quoted.
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PROMOTING AND PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS /
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
WE BUILD TRUST
Eva Grambye,
Deputy Executive Director,
Head of International Division,
The Danish Institute for Human Rights
2018 marked the 70th anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. We, alongside other
defenders of human rights, used the occasion to
celebrate this milestone document. The anniversary
also reminds us of the continued significance of human
rights, not least as a countermeasure to discourses of
fear and mistrust that are on the rise in many countries.
As UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres formulated
it in his 2018 opening address to the General Assembly,
‘the world is suffering from a trust deficit’.
In this what you might call ‘battle between trust
and fear’, reclaiming civic space is crucial to allow
all voices to be heard and thereby build trust. The
reclamation is happening; Human Rights Watch
reports that the world’s autocrats are facing rising
resistance. However, according to Freedom House a
total of 68 countries suffered net declines in political
rights and civil liberties during 2018, with only 50
registering gains. The battle most certainly must, and
still is, going on.
Promoting the message that the enjoyment of
human rights is key for societies to build and maintain
trust is central to the Institute’s work. In collaboration
with our partners, for example the police in Niger and
multinational companies such as ENI in Myanmar,
and with our sister national human rights institutions
all over the world, we work to build trust on many
different levels.
In some of the most unstable and least democratic
countries in the world, as well as in young
democracies and countries with weak state
apparatuses and high levels of poverty, we push
for stronger human rights systems to secure
the promotion and protection of human rights.
By supporting the development of accountable
and transparent state actors we help build trust
between the authorities and their citizens, which is
a precondition for a vibrant civic space and the full
enjoyment of human rights for all.
Seeking to ‘realise the human rights of all’ is at the
core of the 2030 Agenda and it has been a call to
action for the Institute’s international activities since
its adoption in 2015. We are endeavouring to ensure
a close and operational link between human rights
and the Sustainable Development Goals. Our aim is
to address the SDG accountability gap and the human
rights implementation gap by demonstrating how
human rights can concretely underpin and facilitate
the implementation of the SDGs and help ensure that
no one is, in reality, left behind.
This report presents some of the many results we
have contributed to in 2018. In four chapters we
present how
#01
We strengthen SDG accountability
through human rights,
#02
We advance business
with respect for human rights
#03
We strengthen
national human rights institutions
#04
We support
trust-building and security efforts
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PROMOTING AND PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS /
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
#01
WE STRENGTHEN SDG
ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH
HUMAN RIGHTS
The 2030 Agenda allows for flexibility in the way states and the private sector im-
plement and monitor their efforts. While this creates flexibility for country-specific
approaches, there is equally a risk of an accountability gap. With more than 92% of
the 169 SDG targets linked to human rights and labour standards, the potential for
using human rights as a framework to monitor and guide strategies to implement
the SDGs is enormous. A human rights-based approach to the SDGs can strengthen
accountability, streamline efforts and secure that no one is left behind.
The Institute develops analyses, tools and guidance to operationalise a human
rights-based approach to the realisation of sustainable development and has
established itself as a key knowledge provider on this. Among other highlights,
we have launched a database with an algorithm that allows users to explore
recommendations from human rights mechanisms through the lens of the SDGs.
We have also furthered the institutionalisation of the link between human rights
and the SDGs through agenda-setting contributions at the Human Rights Council,
the High-Level Political Forum, and relevant regional fora.
We have conducted SDG training for state actors in over
30 countries
since 2017. These
include NHRIs, ministries and national statistical offices, as well as UN staff.
Our databases linking the SDGs with human rights mechanisms have been accessed
by almost
27,000 users over 45,000 sessions
in 2018. Users from
151
countries
accessed ‘Human Rights Guide to the SDGs’. The ‘SDG-Human Rights Data
Explorer’ had users from
192 countries.
In 2018 we authored 3 publications on the synergies between SDGs and human rights. We
disseminated them at high level meetings in Europe, Asia, Eurasia and Africa.
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PROMOTING AND PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS /
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
BOOSTING THE
REALISATION OF THE
2030 AGENDA
A new database makes more than
150,000 human rights recommendations
accessible to sustainable development
policymakers and practitioners.
Every year the international human rights system
generates thousands of recommendations to guide
states’ implementation of human rights for all
sectors of society. Human rights issues pertaining
to, for example, health, education and gender
equality are well reflected in the SDGs, which
explicitly seek to realise human rights of all. Hence,
these thousands of country-specific and action-
oriented recommendations produced by human
rights mechanisms are essential to guide SDG
implementation.
So far, this critical information has been an untapped
resource for the 2030 Agenda, as it has not been
linked to the SDGs. Consequently, efforts to realise
the 2030 Agenda and human rights continue to
be handled by different national and international
institutions, operating with separate logics and
terminologies.
STREAMLINING EFFORTS AND MAXIMISING
RESOURCES
Using an experimental text-mining algorithm, the
Institute has developed an online tool to solve this
problem. The SDG–Human Rights Data Explorer
allows users to explore how 150,000 human rights
recommendations are linked to specific SDG targets
for particular countries and rights-holders. For
example, urban planners now have easy access
to recommendations on how to design adequate
public spaces for persons with disabilities (SDG 11).
This means that states can boost policy coherence
and accountability, while streamlining efforts
and maximising resources to realise sustainable
development and human rights for all.
Visit:
www.sdgdata.humanrights.dk
FUNDED BY
The project is funded by our framework agreement
with Danida. It is the result of a partnership between
the Institute, OHCHR and the social enterprise
Specialisterne.
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NO QUALITY
EDUCATION WITHOUT
HUMAN RIGHTS
SDG 4 emphasises the importance of
human rights as part of quality education.
The Institute is developing an indicator
framework to help states keep track of
their implementation.
If future generations are to participate in the
development of a universal culture of human rights,
it is crucial that human rights values are integrated
into all aspects of schooling. Human rights education
needs to be provided for in national education laws
and policies. Teachers should be trained to impart
human rights knowledge and skills in order to build a
human rights-based culture in the classroom.
Yet in many countries, monitoring data on the level
of implementation of human rights education
is poor or non-existent. In order to help clarify
where more efforts are needed to secure effective
implementation of human rights education the
Institute, with the support of the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), is
working on an indicator framework.
SDG 4.7 GIVES IMPETUS
The framework will build on the thematic and
normative framework for human rights education.
Applying the indicators will thus generate a clear
assessment of whether the implementation of SDG 4.7
in any given state is aligned with internationally agreed
norms and standards for human rights education.
National human rights institutions play a crucial role
as data providers to states. During the summer of
2018, six national human rights institutions piloted
the framework. The proposed indicator framework is
a contribution to the ongoing international process
around developing a methodology for global
monitoring of SDG indicator 4.7.1.
“It requires concerted action to realise the 2030
Agenda and SDG 4 on quality education. States
across the globe need to strengthen their efforts”
Morten Jespersen, the ambassador at the Permanent
Mission of Denmark to the UN in Geneva, says.
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FUNDED BY
The development of the indicator framework is
funded by the Permanent Mission of Denmark to
the UN.
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FUNDED BY
The project is funded by the Swedish International
Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
SUSTAINABLE OCEANS CANNOT BE
ACHIEVED WITHOUT HUMAN RIGHTS
A global project led by the Institute promotes human rights and
sustainability in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
“We cannot have great seafood tainted with human
rights abuses” said professor Jan Bebbington of
the University of Birmingham at an expert meeting
facilitated by the Institute in 2018. Her statement
refers to the increasing commercial exploitation, lack
of regulations, forced labour and other challenges
facing the fisheries sector in many countries. It also
underpins the critical importance of a global project
on sustainable oceans that the Institute initiated in
2018 in a unique collaboration with organisations
across different sectors.
EMPOWERING SMALL-SCALE FISHERS AND
FISH WORKERS
Around 10 – 12 % of the world’s population depend
on fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods.
Small-scale fishers and fish workers are the ones
suffering the most from weak regulations, and from
the other challenges facing the sector. The project
aims at protecting their human rights.
The sector cannot be improved until they know and
claim their rights, such as their right to food, to an
adequate standard of living and to decent work. In this
regard SDG target 14.b which aims to “provide access
of small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources
and markets” provides an important framework for
the project, together with the United Nations Guiding
Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP).
HOLDING GOVERNMENTS ACCOUNTABLE
To document and show the human rights implications
in the sectors, the Institute is facilitating the
conducting of Sector Wide Impact Assessments in
Bangladesh and Chile as well as analyses in Africa.
Based on the findings, the Institute and our partners
will produce recommendations and tools that can
be used to hold governments and the private sector
accountable for the human rights situation in the
sector as well as to ensure the implementation of
SDG 14.b.
Bangladesh is one of the countries where the
Institute will be conducting a sector wide impact
assessment.
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PROMOTING AND PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS /
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
#02
WE ADVANCE BUSINESS WITH
RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
Companies play a major role in society by generating jobs, revenue, innovation
and services, which are all needed to realise human rights. They also have a
responsibility to avoid and address negative impacts on the rights of people, be
they employees, workers in the supply chain, local communities or customers.
To ensure sustainable development based on human rights, we work to strengthen
the collaboration between the human rights community and the private sector.
Through research and by developing tools and partnerships with both companies
and governments, we aim to build a global environment in which negative impacts
on human rights by business are minimised, and positive contributions by business
to the realisation of human rights are maximised.
In 2018 we published a database including concrete examples to inspire companies
to avoid and address salient human rights issues as their contribution to achieving
the Sustainable Development Goals. We also supported more than ten states in
developing and implementing national action plans on business and human rights.
We have capitalised on our strong partnerships, for example with the Myanmar
Centre for Responsible Business, an institution that has played a significant
role in ensuring that the country’s new investment law encourages responsible
investment.
In 2018 we worked on the basis of contractual agreements with
15 multinational
companies and financial institutions.
We facilitated
7 collaborative company or multi-stakeholder initiatives
and projects
. One example is the Nordic Business Network on Human Rights.
Our database globalnaps.org informs about the development of National Action Plans
on Business and Human Rights. In 2018 it saw
10,827 users across 16,786
sessions.
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IMPORTANT
STEPS TOWARDS
RESPONSIBLE
INVESTMENT
The Institute’s partner the Myanmar Centre
for Responsible Business (MCRB), has
worked to ensure that responsible business
conduct is a requirement within the new
investment law and rules.
Interest in Myanmar’s once languishing economy
intensified after the country’s reforms began in 2011
and with the lifting of economic sanctions, although
the recent Rohingya crisis has led to some drop-off in
interest.
The 2016 Myanmar Investment Law and the 2017
Rules made responsible business conduct an
explicit requirement for both foreign and domestic
investors for the first time. The Institute’s partner,
MCRB, has played a significant role in ensuring
that the investment law encourages responsible
investment, increased transparency and respect for
human rights.
MAJOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTURE
ADVOCACY WORK
This provides a major opportunity for the centre’s
advocacy work in the future. The centre was
established by the Institute in 2013, and has been
“a leading protagonist in ensuring that responsible
In Rakhine State, gas terminals are run by multinational
companies, while the local community continues their
artisanal oil drilling nearby. Supported by the Institute,
MCRB works to ensure responsible investments.
business has become a known concept in Myanmar”,
according to an external evaluation published in 2018.
Supported by the Institute, the MCRB has
documented the impacts on society of business
operations in five key sectors, articulating
recommendations to businesses, state institutions
and other stakeholders. This included the mining
sector where the negative impacts of artisanal
and small-scale mining are significant on the
environment, women and children, while at the same
time being critical to the livelihoods of thousands of
poor people in Myanmar.
Overall MCRB’s 2018 Sector-Wide Impact
Assessment on Limestone, Gold and Tin Mining
outlined the extensive human rights impacts of
a barely regulated sector which is at the nexus
of conflicts including conflict around land and
ecosystems services.
FUNDED BY
Our collaboration with MCRB is funded by, DFID,
the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
the Swiss Confederation Federal Dept of Foreign
Affairs – Human Security Division, the Netherlands
Ministry for Trade and Development Cooperation
and the Irish Aid.
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PROMOTING AND PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS /
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
The Institute condemns the human rights violations
committed against the Rohingya in Myanmar as
reported to the UN Security Council and Human
Rights Council. Still, we remain committed to
further human rights in business and university
legal education in the country, because we see our
efforts as contributing to a long-term process of
facilitating human rights change in these areas.
FOLLOW-UP ASSESSMENTS STRENGTHEN
COMPANY’S ACCOUNTABILITY
Assessments of potential human rights impacts conducted by the
Institute have helped to develop good relations between local
communities and a global company.
When, in 2016, the global energy company Eni
planned to start new operations in the Magway
region in Myanmar, they decided to team up with
the Institute to conduct a human rights impact
assessment (HRIA). Encouraged by the Institute,
they also agreed to conduct an additional follow-up
assessment after two years of operations to assess
how the company implemented the Institute’s
recommendations and how its presence in the region
was perceived by stakeholders.
The initial assessment revealed various
concerns among the local communities about
their livelihoods, based on which the Institute
formulated recommendations for Eni. Nearly all
recommendations were implemented by Eni during
its exploration activities.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMMITMENTS
The Institute returned to conduct the follow-up
assessment in 2018. It confirmed that Eni had largely
acted in accordance with its commitments. Among
other things, Eni had appointed a community liaison
officer from the local community and was providing a
constant stream of information about operations and
potential impacts. Eni had also formulated guidelines
for its employees on how to behave respectfully in
the area. A concern among the villagers had been
whether Eni would create jobs for the locals. The
follow-up assessment showed that 93 % of the 600
employees were local.
MOST VILLAGERS FEEL WELL INFORMED
Various stakeholders mentioned that Eni had done
a lot to inform the villagers about its business
operations; for example the company used a
demonstration truck to show communities what the
seismic surveys would feel like. The assessment did
uncover some room for improvement. For example,
community members mentioned that there was a
lack of information on the qualifications required in
order to be hired by Eni’s sub-contractors. On the
basis of these findings the Institute has developed
new recommendations that will help Eni to further
improve its social performance in Myanmar and other
countries.
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PROMOTING AND PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS /
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
GLOBAL AWARD
In 2018 the Institute received a global award from the International
Association for Impact Assessment recognising the Institute’s work to
promote human rights in impact assessments. In Myanmar we have
conducted human rights impact assessments for the company Eni
Myanmar. As a result the company continuously provides the villagers with
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information about its operations and potential impacts.
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FUNDED BY
The Intitute’s work with NAPs is financed by the
Swedish Development Agency (Sida) and co-
financed by Danida.
duty to protect against human rights abuses involving
companies is an essential pillar of the UNGPs.
As experts on the UNGPs, the Institute supports
states in developing and implementing national
action plans (NAPs) to prevent human rights abuses
by businesses.
FACILITATING DIALOGUES BETWEEN
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND BUSINESSES
In 2018 the Institute supported and facilitated
the involvement of indigenous peoples in the
development of Chile’s national action plan on
business and human rights. A lack of consultation
with indigenous peoples has led to conflicts between
indigenous peoples and companies in Chile,
including in the energy sector. The involvement of
indigenous peoples paves the way for a sustained
dialogue between the Ministry of Energy, indigenous
peoples’ organisations and businesses in relation to
energy projects and the realisation of SDG 7, which
focuses on affordable and clean energy. The overall
ambition of Chile’s national action plan is to minimise
conflict between indigenous peoples and businesses
operating in Chile.
NEED FOR MORE ACCOUNTABILITY
In 2018 we also conducted an analysis of all existing
NAPs, which highlights both positives and areas
of concern regarding the process of developing
NAPs, as well as offering a survey of their content.
By featuring relevant findings our aspiration
is to facilitate the sharing of experiences and
lessons learned with professionals working on the
development of future NAPs.
PREVENTING
BUSINESS-RELATED
HUMAN RIGHTS
ABUSES
From Georgia to Kenya and Chile. The
Institute supports states in developing
and implementing national action plans
on business and human rights.
Since 2011 the international community has rallied
around the UN Guiding Principles on Business and
Human Rights (UNGPs) as the framework to address
business-related human rights abuses. The state
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PROMOTING AND PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS /
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
#03
WE STRENGTHEN NATIONAL
HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS
National human rights institutions (NHRIs) play an important role in safeguarding
and realising human rights in their respective countries as they monitor the
human rights situation and advise their parliaments and governments on
human rights in legislation and policies. The catalytic role of NHRIs as drivers
of sustainable development and change is recognised in the fact that fully
independent, A-status NHRIs are an indicator for SDG 16 on peace, justice and
strong institutions.
Twenty-five years ago only a few countries had established NHRIs. Today there
are more than 100. However, many NHRIs lack resources and face various
challenges in becoming effective institutions.
As the only NHRI with a significant international mandate, the Institute plays a
crucial role in enhancing the recognition and role of NHRIs in the various regional
and international fora such as the UN and EU. We are working to ensure that
human rights institutions remain independent and credible.
With support from the Institute a constitutional law for the creation of an
independent human rights instance in Tunisia was adopted in 2018. We have
designed a capacity development process that has led to new interventions by
NHRIs in 15 countries.
Impact measurement shows that, since 2016, the capacity of over
80 NHRIs
has been strengthened due to their participation in our global capacity development
project. Knowledge, skills and attitude within monitoring and reporting, for example,
improved by 24 %.
In 2018 the Institute provided and conducted workshops on human rights education to
34 NHRIs.
In 2018 we helped 9 NHRIs to develop a strategic approach to human rights education.
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PROMOTING AND PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS /
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
PUSHING FOR NATIONAL POLICIES ON
HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION
From Georgia to Mongolia, from Liberia to Honduras.
National human rights institutions are working hard to ensure
implementation of human rights education in formal education.
In 2018 Georgia’s ministry of education decided
to integrate a whole set of recommendations
formulated by the Public Defender of Georgia
into the new secondary school curricula. In a close
collaboration they are developing a course on human
rights education aimed at teachers of elementary and
basic education.
This remarkable initiative of the Public Defender,
which is impacting the country’s education policy is
the result of a whole chain of activities supported
by the Institute. Like a growing number of other
NHRIs, the Public Defender of Georgia has adopted a
strategic approach to the implementation of human
rights education.
FROM TRAINING TO STRATEGIC APPROACHES
So far most NHRIs have tended to focus on face-
to-face training activities, information campaigns in
schools and development of educational material.
Working towards changing the formal structures
for human rights education will allow NHRIs to
create a more sustainable impact on the education
sector. This is the argument in a comprehensive
strategic guide, developed by members of the NHRI
Network on Human Rights Education, edited by the
Institute and shared with NHRIs across the world.
The strategic approach described in the guide has
also been the focal point for the many workshops the
Institute has conducted on human rights education.
“We need to really focus on long-term approaches
that will help us implement human rights
education,”says Roseline Eitu, Uganda Human Rights
Commission, a member of the global NHRI network
on human rights education.
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FUNDED BY
The development of the ‘Guide to a strategic
approach to human rights education’ is funded by
our framework agreement with Danida.
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Human rights education is key for both children, youth and adults to know
and claim their rights and to respect and uphold the rights of others. The
Institute supports other national human rights institutions in adopting a
strategic approach to human rights education.
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FROM GLOBAL LEARNING TO
NATIONAL ACTION
Since 2016, as part of our global capacity development programme,
80 national human rights institutions have taken part in a learning
process. Fifteen of them received sub-grants of 15,000 EUR each for
the implementation of projects to address human rights issues in their
countries, which has led to impressive results around the world:
48,000 MONGOLIAN HEALTHCARE
PRACTITIONERS TO ADVANCE THEIR HUMAN
RIGHTS KNOWLEDGE
The Mongolian Development Centre for Health
introduced human rights as a new module in their
biannual re-certification of Mongolia’s 48,000
healthcare practitioners. The Mongolian Human
Rights Commission developed the course, lobbied
for its accreditation, and carries out the training.
ADVANCING HUMAN RIGHTS AT THE POLICE
ACADEMY OF LIBERIA
The Independent National Commission on
Human Rights of Liberia mapped the integration
of human rights within the police academy´s
curricula and formulated eight recommendations
for advancing human rights. The police adopted all
eight recommendations. The same methodology
will be applied in 2019 for secondary schools, the
immigration services and the armed forces.
40 LOCAL OFFICES IN LATIN AMERICA
COMMITTED TO PREVENTING HUMAN RIGHTS
ABUSES BY BUSINESS
The NHRIs of El Salvador and Guatemala established
cross-border collaboration on business and human
rights and delivered in-house training courses to 40
local offices. The first case to be investigated is one
of a multinational company draining and polluting a
large river, affecting people and communities in both
countries.
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FUNDED BY
The NHRI–EU project develops the capacity
of NHRIs through four individualised learning
programmes and through an organisational
support programme for their networks.
The project is funded by the EU and co-financed by
our framework agreement with Danida.
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FUNDED BY
Our work in Tunisia is funded by the Danish-Arab
Partnership Programme.
INDEPENDENT WATCHDOG ON HUMAN
RIGHTS IS EMERGING IN TUNISIA
The Institute played a major role in the process of the drafting of
a new constitutional law in Tunisia. The law paves the way for a
human rights instance with a remarkably broad mandate.
Since the 2011 revolution Tunisia has achieved
significant progress in the field of human rights
protection. On 18 October 2018, seven years after
the revolution that toppled former president Zeine
al-Abidine Ben Ali and unleashed the Arab Spring,
the Tunisian parliament adopted a constitutional
law for the creation of an independent human rights
instance.
INVESTIGATING HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
The law paves the way for the creation of a human
rights instance in accordance with the Paris Principles
meaning, among other things, a broad mandate to
protect and promote human rights, a representative
board and an independent budget. The law envisages
that future legislations relating to human rights be
submitted to the new human rights instance for
advice and comments. As a new responsibility, the
human rights instance is able to take the initiative to
investigatepotential human rights violations.
ENSURING PLURALISTIC REPRESENTATION
Led by the Ministry of Human Rights in Tunisia, the
Institute has strongly contributed in facilitating the
entire process, from the drafting of the law proposal,
to the broad public consultations with civil society
organisations, to the discussion, amendments
and adoption by the Parliament. The Institute co-
organised and conducted consultations with all
relevant stakeholders, such as civil society and state
representatives from the different regions of Tunisia.
This contributed to ensuring that the law drafting
process was inclusive towards youth, women and
citizens in marginalised areas.
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PROMOTING AND PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS /
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
MOROCCO
MEXICO
MALI
GAMBIA
COLOMBIA
BURKINA FASO
BENIN
CHILE
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UKRAINE
GEORGIA
KYRGYZSTAN
TUNISIA
PALESTINE
CHINA
EGYPT
NIGER
JORDAN
BANGLADESH
MYANMAR
UGANDA
KENYA
TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
Through our local offices in
10 countries
, we support the
development of laws and policies,
that promote human rights and
strengthen police forces and judiciary.
Through our global and thematic
programmes, we work with
stakeholders in
13 countries
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PROMOTING AND PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS /
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
#04
WE SUPPORT TRUST-BUILDING
AND SECURITY EFFORTS
Trust between a country’s citizens and its authorities is a precondition for a stable
and democratic society. Fair and equal access to justice for all citizens is just as
important for a well-functioning democracy. Unfortunately, this is far from the
reality for many countries.
Through some of our local offices we are working to build trust as part of major
stability, security and development efforts. For example, in collaboration with
ministries, security forces and other state authorities in the Middle East, Eurasia and
Africa we support the development of laws and policies that promote human rights
and strengthen police forces and judiciaries. We consider these tools of governance
to be major building blocks for ensuring that citizens trust the national institutions
of their country.
In the Sahel region we contribute to trust-building between citizens and their
police forces by supporting human rights training of police officers. In Kyrgyzstan,
which has experienced greater openness and more democratic reforms since
independence in 1991 than has most of its neighbours, we have helped increase
justice delivery to citizens living in remote rural areas. In Zambia we have supported
the development of a law that ensures legal aid service to some of the countries’
most marginalised persons. As the result of a three-year project led by the Institute,
57 Nepalese police stations are now using human rights law to prevent torture and
other improper use of force.
In 2018 we supported human rights training of approximately
4,000 police officers
in Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali.
In Kyrgyzstan
11,700 persons
have received free legal aid with our support since 2016.
More than
11,000
persons in Zambia have now received legal aid through fifteen legal
desks whose establishment we have supported.
80 %
of students graduated from the Arab Master in Human Rights and Democracy
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programme that we support in Beirut are now working in the human rights sector.
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NEW POLICY
BENEFITS ALL
ZAMBIANS
The Institute has contributed to the
development of a policy that enhances
justice delivery in Zambia. 11,000
marginalised persons, either in detention
or living in rural areas far away from
professional lawyers, have received legal
aid from paralegals.
In 2018 paralegals based in three different
Zambian provinces provided legal aid to almost
11,000 persons.
Two-thirds of the population in Zambia are living
in poverty and many of them reside in rural areas
unable to access the services of lawyers, who are
mostly urban-based. When wanting to take legal
action many Zambians are faced with a judicial
system they often do not understand and are unable
to afford to hire people who can represent and assist
them to navigate the judicial process.
In 2018 the government of Zambia adopted a
national legal aid policy, which ensures efficient
delivery of free legal aid services to all Zambians. The
Institute has played a key role in the development
of the policy as providers of technical assistance and
expertise to the Ministry of Justice since 2012.
PARALEGALS PROVIDE FREE LEGAL SERVICES
Because the policy explicitly recognises the role
of civil society organisations in providing legal aid
through paralegals, it paves the way for increased
access to justice for the many Zambians who have
the right to guidance in legal procedures. Paralegals
are individuals trained in basic law and human rights
and trusted members of the local communities
committed to securing access to justice for the poor.
The policy recognises seven ways to provide legal
aid services. One of these is through legal desks
operated by full-time paralegals and legal aid
assistants, operating from police stations, prisons and
courts. This service was established in 2013. Fifteen
desks are currently up and running with technical
assistance from the Institute and pay special attention
to women, juveniles, minors, persons with disability
and persons living with HIV. In 2018 the fifteen desks
based in three different provinces provided legal
aid to almost 11,000 persons. Women and juveniles
constitute 30% of the clients.
FUNDED BY
The development of the policy and the operation
of the desks are funded by the EU and Germany
(MBZ).
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PROMOTING AND PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS /
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
TRUST BUILDING IN NIGER
In Niger 86 % of the population trust the
police. Across 36 African countries only
50 % of citizens trust the police. Source:
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Afrobarometer survey, 2016.
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FUNDED BY
Our work in West Africa is funded by our framework
agreement with Danida.
PROMOTING AND PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS /
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
POLICE TRAINING CONTRIBUTES TO
STABILISATION IN TERROR-RIDDEN
SAHEL REGION
In 2018 over 4,000 police officers received human rights training
using tools developed by the Institute and the police schools in
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
Insecurity and transnational crime remain major
threats in the Sahel region. The ongoing challenges
call for major stabilisation and security efforts.
Supported by the Institute, the police schools of
Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have become powerful
human rights defenders, contributing to making the
police a service for the population.
Regionally, the police schools meet in the network
POLI.DH (Policing and Human Rights in Africa)
established with the Institute’s support, to share good
practices on how to teach human rights and ensure
high human rights standards in police work. In 2018
the police schools of Mauritania and Chad joined the
network, which now encompasses the whole area of
the G5 Sahel Joint Force, a regional force that jointly
fights terrorism in the region.
In 2018, as part of Denmark’s regional stabilisation
programme in the Sahel, 1,800 police officers in
the most insecure region of Burkina Faso received
human rights training based on tools developed
by the National Police School with support
from the Institute. In Mali, the United Nations
Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission
conducted human rights training of over 1,000
police cadets and officers in 2018, also using tools
developed by the National Police School of Mali
itself. Development of customised training tools
in human rights is a key feature of the partnership
between the Institute and the police schools.
Since the beginning of the partnership in Niger
almost 20 years ago, ten thousand police officers
have been trained in the human rights curriculum.
This has led to increased trust between population
and police, which plays a key role in the fight against
terrorism. Without trust the population might not
consider telling the police when they observe
anything unusual that requires investigation.
Furthermore, studies have indicated that young
people in the Sahel region have been radicalised as
a result of violations by the security forces. Trust and
collaboration between the local population and the
police are thus important to mitigate radicalisation.
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PROMOTING AND PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS /
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
BUILDING STRONGER
INSTITUTIONS IN KYRGYZSTAN
Enhanced access to justice and increased awareness of human
rights. The Institute supports several activities benefitting the
Kyrgyz people.
In 2018 the Ombudsman Institution of Kyrgyzstan
launched an electronic complaints-handling module
on its website, which has given citizens of the former
Soviet state the opportunity to submit complaints
online for the first time.
It has helped cut down lengthy bureaucratic
procedure, provided easier access for vulnerable
groups and people living in remote rural areas,
as well as reducing cases of corruption. The new
web-based complaints-handling module is just
one of many of improvements that the Institute has
contributed to in the Central Asian country since
2004.
RAISING LEGAL AWARENESS
In order to strengthen citizens’ awareness of their
rights, the Ministry of Justice began conducting legal
awareness-raising campaigns across the main regions
of the country under the slogan ‘Know Your Rights’.
During the period 2016–18, following four waves of
the campaign, 11,700 persons received free legal
aid across the country. The campaign received wide
media coverage, including on social media, and has
been a catalyst for cooperation among governmental
entities at both central and local levels. The
participation of the Ombudsman Institution in
the campaigns has contributed substantially to
strengthening the people’s awareness of their rights.
STRONGER IMPLEMENTATION OF LAWS
Lack of implementation of laws in various regions is
one of the major challenges in Kyrgyzstan. In order
to strengthen implementation, the Constitutional
Committee of the Kyrgyz parliament has finalised a
‘Monitoring Manual on Implementation of Laws’. It is
the first document ever produced by the legislative
body to provide oversight of the delivery of public
services by the government.
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FUNDED BY
The project is financed by the EU and co-financed
by our framework agreement with Danida and
implemented by a consortium of six international
organisations led by GIZ.
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Foto
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
As part of the campaign ‘Know your rights’ the
Institute’s partners and project team informed
people living far away from Kyrgyzstan’s
capital about their rights and access to free
legal aid.
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PROMOTING AND PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS /
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
COMMITTED TO TORTURE
PREVENTION IN NEPAL
Supported by the Institute, 57 senior police officers at Nepalese law
enforcement institutions are using human rights to address problems
that have led to improper use of force amounting to torture.
57 Nepalese police stations working hard to prevent
torture and other improper use of force. Their
commitment is the result of a three-year project
led by the Institute that has helped them identify
and address the root causes of torture. By coaching
their officers to develop their skills and knowledge
pertaining to human rights, they have developed
projects that are, today, helping to reduce torture and
inhumane treatment at their stations.
MORE SUSPECTS TREATED WITH DIGNITY
Root causes of inhumane treatment identified
at the police stations dealing with investigative
interviews include lack of systematic planning and
of psychological competencies, as well as absence
of video cameras, both in custody and interrogation
rooms, to record interviews with suspects. In order
to address this, 154 investigative officers have
now received training in the PEACE model for
investigative interviewing, which teaches them
how to treat suspects with dignity. Inspired by the
PEACE model, many of the stations have established
dedicated interrogation rooms equipped with
recording cameras to oversee interviews and have
increased their awareness of human rights.
ENHANCED INVESTIGATION
A survey of one of the police stations shows that
prior to the project most suspects report having felt
nervous and unwilling to share information. Today
nearly 95% of them experience that their rights
are respected and are willing to share information.
The increased number of suspects willing to share
information has improved the investigation process
and helped the police solve cases. This means that,
ultimately, the officers’ motivation for protecting
human rights has increased.
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FUNDED BY
The project was implemented in close collaboration
with the Kathmandu School of Law and the Danish
Police and was funded by the Danish Embassy in
Nepal.
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THE INTERNATIONAL DIVISION OF THE
DANISH INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
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THE INTERNATIONAL WORK OF
THE DANISH INSTITUTE FOR
HUMAN RIGHTS
LEGITIMACY AND LOCAL APPROACH
Our status as an independent state institution gives us legitimacy in our work with
governments, international institutions, civil society and businesses. We work in
local partnerships to ensure sustainability and local relevance of our work.
RESEARCH CAPACITY AND PROVEN TRACK RECORD
Our in-house research capacity ensures that we build our projects, tools and
training programmes on scientific evidence and solid academic knowledge. With 25
years of experience worldwide, we have a proven record of accomplishment.
WE CREATE SUSTAINABLE CHANGE BECAUSE OF OUR
LEGITIMACY
LOCAL APPROACH
RESEARCH CAPACITY
PROVEN TRACK RECORD
Read more
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