On March 3rd in Geneva, Switzerland at the 28th session of the UN Human Rights Council, CIVICUS in cooperation with UNDP and the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner, hosted the 'Annual High-Level Panel on Human Rights Mainstreaming'.To open the event, Renate Bloem from CIVICUS delivered the following remarks:
CIVICUS warmly welcomes this timely debate and thanks the panelists for their thought provoking remarks.
CIVICUS is particularly involved in the post-2015 process, its comprehensive and promising agenda to lead into a new era of more cooperation and solidarity. As the process of defining the post-2015 development agenda enters its final stage, there is a pressing need to further discuss the creation of an inclusive and evidence-based review and accountability process.
A process that should be grounded in human rights and build on already existing and relevant national and international mechanisms. These include the human rights monitoring mechanisms that meet in Geneva, including the UPR, to ensure respect, protection and fulfillment of human rights, in full coherence with international human rights standards.
The process will also need to allow for the participation of key stakeholders, including civil society, to secure broad ownership and accountability in the review and monitoring process, both at the national, regional and international level. Civil society groups add value to all stakeholders by helping to ensure that the benefits of development reach those intended by decision makers through focus on accountability and transparency (The UPR with its universal approach has come into discussion in relation to follow up and making the once adopted SDGs real. We sincerely hope for a broad consensus and cooperation, also between New York and Geneva, to find the necessary common ground to leave no one behind.)
So far the NY led consultations during the post-2015 development discussions aimed to be inclusive. But to maintain accountability, continued dialogue is crucial. This is where the topics of today’s discussion fit together, as new ways of cooperation can facilitate the inclusion of an even broader range of stakeholders in the 2015 + process.
An enabling environment for civil society to do its work without hindrance or fear is a pre-condition for sustainable development. It includes gender equality and the full realization of women’s and girls’ human rights.
CIVICUS asks the panelists to give their views on how to enhance and ensure more meaningful participation with CSOs as a way for better international cooperation? Thank you.