Counter-Terrorism Technical Assistance Programmes

Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Institution-Building and Rule of Law

Technical Assistance Programme Description	The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) emphasizes strengthening of the rule of law through effective legal and judicial systems as a means toward implementing and protecting human rights at the national level. OHCHR's Rule of Law and Democracy Unit is responsible for raising awareness about human rights and the rule of law throughout the United Nations system and, upon their request, directly with States. The unit focuses on the role of courts; rule of law in post-conflict states; counter-terrorism and national security; issues related to the nexus between international human rights law and international humanitarian law (IHL); and strengthening of democracy. In close coordination with the Office's geographic desks, the Rule of Law and Democracy Unit is involved in the provision of technical assistance directly to States, upon their request. A key participant in this process is OHCHR's National Institutions Unit. Guided by the 1993 Paris Principles, national human rights institutions are at the core of national human rights protection systems. They include national human rights commissions, ombudsmen and similar institutions. OHCHR works with over 100 institutions worldwide, with regional networks of national institutions and with governments that are considering establishing or strengthening their national institutions. OHCHR also provides support to the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, appointed by the Commission on Human Rights by Resolution 2005/80 with the mandate, inter alia, to make concrete recommendations, at the request of States, for the provision of advisory services or technical assistance; to identify, exchange and promote best practices on human rights; and to develop a regular dialogue and discuss possible areas of cooperation with all relevant actors, including Governments, relevant United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and programmes, in particular with the Counter Terrorism Committee.
Technical Assistance Methodology	OHCHR works with other United Nations agencies and donors to act as a catalyst for needed reforms, including by sharing its independent needs assessments following invitations from States. As OHCHR does not have the capacity to be present in all countries, it has developed a regional approach to encourage intergovernmental cooperation and formulate common policies and programmes. Regional representatives are present in Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Beirut, Pretoria, Santiago de Chile, Suva and Yaoundé. OHCHR's technical cooperation programme is primarily funded by the UN Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation and is subject to the oversight of a Board of Trustees.
Technical Assistance Eligibility	OHCHR programmes are available to all States.
Organization's Member States	UN Member states (192)

Donor/Provider Contacts