21 November 2007
South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and United Nations (UN) host
roundtable discussion on promoting transitional justice in conflict and post
conflict societies.
The South African Human Rights Commission and the Office of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, invites members of the media to the
opening session of their three-day roundtable discussion on National Human
Right Institutions (NHRIs) and their role in the promotion of transitional
justice. The discussions are scheduled for Friday, 23 November until Sunday, 24
November 2007, in Cape Town.
Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Johny de
Lange, is expected to officially open this gathering whose aim is to create
engagement on transitional justice between NHRIs, international and regional
human rights experts. It is also expected to create a forum for NHRIs to
discuss and share their experiences and lessons learned in the area of
transitional justice, raise awareness of NHRIs on the potential role they can
play during the period of transition to contribute to combating impunity and to
promoting the rule of law, and formulating strategies and recommendations.
About twenty national human rights institutions from countries:
* Africa: Sierra Leone, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Sudan
* the Americas: Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, Guatemala
* Asia Pacific: Nepal, Timor Leste, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines
* Europe: Azerbaijan, Ireland, Northern Ireland
* MENA region: Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco, Palestine, which have experienced
conflict or are currently involved in conflict, will attend this roundtable
discussion.
In 2004, in his report to the Security Council [1], the then UN Secretary
General, Mr Kofi Annan, noted that important lessons can be learned from
different experiences of transitional justice. He mentioned that success will
depend on a number of critical factors, among them the need to ensure a common
basis in international norms and standards and to mobilise the necessary
resources for a sustainable investment in justice. Rather than investing on
one-size-fits-all formulas or importation of foreign models, the
Secretary-General report encouraged for support national assessments, national
participation and national needs and aspirations.
It is in line with his and the UN General Assembly's position that the OHCHR
Plan of Action 2006/07 focuses on fighting against impunity as one of the key
actions to ensure respect for justice and the rule of law, which are, in turn,
necessary for effective promotion and protection of human rights. The OHCHR
works to foster transitional justice strengthen the rule of law and national
systems of human rights protection, "including institutional capacities for the
administration of justice and remedies available for those claiming their
rights"[2]. This involves providing assistance to programs aimed at combating
impunity and providing effective remedies and reparations to victims of human
rights violations. Because NHRIs are crucial for ensuring promotion and
protection of human rights at the national level, OHCHR strongly supports them
to play an effective role in assisting in the development and implementation of
transitional justice.
As adopted in 2006 as part of its ongoing engagements on transitional
justice, the OHCHR and the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission organised
an International round table on "The role of National Human Rights Institutions
during conflict" with the aim of strengthening the capacity of NHRIs to promote
and protect human rights during conflict and post conflict periods. During this
three day round table, NHRIs discussed, inter-alia, the challenges and remedies
they can propose in relation to mediation and reconciliation in situations of
conflict; what avenues NHRIs may turn to when faced with situations of severe
conflict and post-conflict; the importance of co-operation and mutually
reinforcing regional and international relationships among NHRIs in situation
of conflicts. Participants agreed on the importance of maintaining the mandate
of NHRIs in monitoring human rights situations and reporting human rights
violations. They also highlighted the importance of ensuring accountability and
addressing human rights violations which occurred during conflict. Finally,
participants greatly appreciated the opportunity to exchange experiences and
reinforce the co-operation among themselves and with OHCHR on these issues-
hence this roundtable discussion.
This event will take place at:
Southern Sun Garden Court Hotel, Eastern Boulevard
Corner Melburne and Coronation Road, Welmer Estate, Cape Town
Opening time: 09h00 to 09h30
1. Statement by the Chairperson of the South African Human Rights
Commission, Mr Jody Kollapen
2. Statement by the Deputy Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development,
Advocate Johannes Hendrik de Lange (TBC)
3. Statement by the Representative of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights
Enquiries:
Lorraine Molepo
South African Human Rights Commission
Cell: 072 011 3621
Jacqueline Nzoyihera
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Cell: 079 894 6040
Issued by: South African Human Rights Commission
21 November 2007
