UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FIELD The HRMMU continued mainstreaming human rights through active participation in the UNCT and Humanitarian Country Team as well as through leading the Human Rights Working Group in Ukraine. The HRMMU is a member and one of the main contributors to the Protection Cluster and its products. Also, the HRMMU participates in working groups created within the humanitarian structure, such as Housing, Land and Property as well as Age and Disability Technical Working Groups presenting findings, concerns and recommendations and providing expert advice. The HRMMU led the preparation of a joint UNCT submission to CESCR in relation to the Committee’s preparation of a list of issues prior to reporting for Ukraine. As part of the humanitarian agenda, the HRMMU analysis strongly supported the development of the 2018 joint rapid response action to address the disruption of basic services in the conflict-affected area, together with OCHA, IOM, UNHCR, UNICEF and WHO. The Office served as an important source of information on the situation in the conflict-affected areas in relation to the Ukraine MultiYear Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) 2019-2020. UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FIELD Mechanisms (M) M1 – The Government of Ukraine implements recommendations by the human rights mechanisms that affirm international human rights principles, standards and best practice. The HRMMU supported the strengthening of the National Human Rights Action Plan as a national mechanism for integrated reporting and the implementation of outstanding recommendations issued by the international human rights mechanisms by conducting a technical review and providing concrete recommendations. During the reporting period, the HRMMU continuously advocated for the National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) to be regularly updated to ensure that it remains relevant. In February and March, the HRMMU participated in elaborating amendments to the NHRAP designed for the implementation of the 20152020 National Human Rights Strategy of Ukraine. In March, a written submission from OHCHR to the Ministry of Justice recommended, inter alia, including the implementation of the Istanbul Protocol in the NHRAP in order to foster the effective investigation and documentation of torture. In November, the Ministry of Justice submitted amendments integrating OHCHR’s recommendations to the Cabinet of Ministers for further revision and approval that are pending as of April 2019. In June, the HRMMU conducted a technical review of the draft methodology that was developed by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine to monitor and evaluate the National Human Rights Strategy of Ukraine and its Action Plan. The review included concrete recommendations on enhancing monitoring, reporting and evaluation processes. As a result, the Ministry of Justice approved the monitoring and evaluation methodology for the National Human Rights Strategy and its Action Plan, which reflected recommendations made by the HRMMU. The Ministry of Justice requested further assistance from OHCHR to implement the newly designed methodology in 2019. UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Syria – based in Beirut Iraq (UNAMI) Middle East and North Africa (Beirut) State of Palestine*** (Gaza and Ramallah) UN Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region (Doha) Tunisia Libya (UNSMIL) Saudi Arabia Jordan TYPE OF PRESENCE Yemen LOCATION Country/Stand-alone Offices/ Human Rights Missions State of Palestine***, Syrian Arab Republic (the Country Office is located in Beirut, Lebanon), Tunisia, Yemen Regional Offices/Centres Middle East and North Africa (Beirut, Lebanon), Training and Documentation Centre for SouthWest Asia and the Arab Region (Doha, Qatar) Human rights components of UN Peace/Political Missions Iraq (UNAMI), Libya (UNSMIL) Human Rights Advisers deployed under the framework of the UNDG Jordan Other types of field presences Kingdom of Saudi Arabia *** Reference to the State of Palestine should be understood in compliance with United Nations General Assembly resolution 67/19. 302 UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2018 The work of OHCHR in the Middle East and North Africa region covers 19 countries. The Office supported two regional offices/centres, the Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa and the UN Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region; four country offices (State of Palestine***, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia and Yemen); one Human Rights Adviser (HRA) in the UN Country Team (UNCT) in Jordan; two human rights presences in UN Peace Missions in Iraq and Libya; and a project presence to build national capacity in human rights-related fields in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Office provided support to two special procedures country mandates, namely, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967; and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran. It also served as the Secretariat to the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, which was mandated by the General Assembly. During 2018, the region continued to face significant challenges, including in situations of armed conflict, rise of violent extremism and counter-terrorism measures that negatively impact on civil and political rights, as well as discrimination against various groups. Human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law have been reported in the context of violence and armed conflicts in Iraq, Libya, the State of Palestine, the Syrian Arab Republic and Yemen. UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2018 303