GLOSSARY OF KEY TERMS
prsp.htm). The adoption and implementation of a PRSP
is a way for a state to demonstrate its commitment to
realizing all human rights for citizens. Many authors
agree that a successful PRPS requires a strong human
rights perspective.
Presumption of innocence: The fundamental principle
of criminal law that a person may not be convicted of a
crime unless guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The burden of proving innocence is generally not placed
on the accused.
Privacy: Freedom from arbitrary or unlawful interference.
The right to privacy is guaranteed by Art. 17(1) ICCPR. The
State should justify intrusions or interceptions of personal
privacy, including the home, correspondence and communications. However, wide search, seizure, and break
and entry powers (without warrant) can be exercised by
officers or security forces in the interests of national security, public order or similar justifications.
Private sector: The part of the economy that is not under
direct government control. For instance, businesses may
form part of the private sector.
Project Activity Framework (PAF): An outline, within a UN
Project Document, that sets standards against which to
review or evaluate a project’s success. Programme activities that are predictable and important should be included
in the project document and linked to the PAF. From the
institution’s perspective, the strategic plan will generally
be the starting point for an evaluation. The starting point
from the UN perspective is usually a project document
and in particular the Project Activity Framework. The two
should coincide since the NHRI’s strategic plan should
reflect what is in the PAF to the extent that the UNCT is
supporting the NHRI. Strategic planning should be undertaken soon after the NHRI’s establishment and that plan
should then form the basis for revising the PAF.
Project Document: Defines the programme of action for a
planned endeavour. The development of outcomes, indicators and targets are usually set out in broad terms in the
strategic plan itself, but details of the activities and their
costing should be contained in a workable action plan
that focuses resources on activities that are both effective and coordinated. The plan should identify partners to
work with; develop a realistic program of action to meet
these challenges and overcome constraints. And it should
set out costs (financial and personnel) of the program. In
addition, the NHRI should develop mechanisms and processes to measure the degree to which the plan is being
met and to take corrective action as required. Certain
programme activity is both predictable and important
and should be included in the initial project document.
This would include: the preparation of core documents
on human rights and the role of the NHRI, the design and
delivery of public education programmes, and the design
and delivery of training to key stakeholder groups: the
police; prison officials; the army and security forces. Any
review or evaluation has to assess capacity since the overall
point of any Project Document is capacity development.
Ratification: The act by which a State formally agrees
to be legally bound by a treaty’s provisions. It usually
requires the approval of the State’s legislative body (or
bodies, in the case of federal States). A State that ratifies
a treaty is called a “State Party” to that treaty. An agreement that is ratified is applicable and legally binding on
the State Party. Some treaties do not enter into force until
they have been ratified by a certain number of the States
that have signed it. The number of ratifications required is
specified in the text of the treaty.
Re-accreditation: The ICC Rules of Procedure under
sub-article 3(g) provide that:
“Where the circumstances of any member of the
group of National Institutions change in any way
which may affect its compliance with the Paris
Principles, that member shall notify the Chairperson
of those changes and the Chairperson shall place
the matter before the accreditation sub-committee
for review of that member’s membership. Where,
in the opinion of the Chairperson of the ICC or of
any member of the accreditation sub-committee, it
appears that the circumstances of any member of the
group of National Institutions may have changed in
any way which affects its compliance with the Paris
Principles, the Chairperson or sub-committee may
initiate a review of that member’s membership.”
This review process constitutes re-accreditation.
Remedy: In legal terms, the means by which a right is
enforced or the violation of a right is prevented, redressed
or compensated.
Reservation: A reservation is a declaration made by a
State by which it purports to exclude or alter the legal
effect of certain provisions of the treaty in their application to that State. A reservation enables a State to accept
a multilateral treaty as a whole by giving it the possibility not to apply certain provisions with which it does
not want to comply. Reservations can be made when the
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