23rd April 2009
HRLC is pleased to announce the release of the report of the High-Level Workshop on Human Rights Diplomacy, which was convened in Venice between 30-31 January 2009 with the European Inter-University Centre (EIUC) and the Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan
The meeting explored the notion, dimensions and means of human rights diplomacy with a view to better understanding the sector and promoting good practice. The workshop report captures the key issues identified and the range of views expressed during discussions, including on the following central themes:
· Characterisation of Human Rights Diplomacy
· The Practice of Bilateral Human Rights Diplomacy by States
· The Practice of Multilateral Human Rights Diplomacy by States
· The Practice of Multilateral Human Rights Diplomacy at the Regional Level
· The Practice of Human Rights Diplomacy by Inter-governmentally Appointed Office Holders
· Human Rights Diplomacy by Other Actors
· Future Challenges and Opportunities for Human Rights Diplomacy
The High-Level workshop brought together diplomats, academics, civil society actors, 'special procedures' mandate-holders, UN Treaty Body members, senior personnel of intergovernmental organisations and current and former high diplomatic office holders. Participants included Ambassador Luis Alfonso de Alba, first president of the UN Human Rights Council; Ambassador Christian Strohal, Austrian representative to the UN; Kyung-wha Kang, Deputy UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Manfred Nowak, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Vitit Muntarbhorn, UN Special Rapporteur for DPRK; Bertrand Ramcharan, former Acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; Professor Hurst Hannum, Tufts University and Peggy Hicks, Human Rights Watch.
It is planned to further explore the key issues and results outlined in this report in an edited volume on human rights diplomacy.
Further information:
Report of the Expert Workshop on Human Rights Diplomacy, Venice, January 2009.
Posted on Thursday 23rd April 2009