UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FIELD Based on a three-year systematic mapping of vulnerabilities and their underlying causes in the villages in the district of Bassikounou, more than 65 villages were identified as being at high risk for conflict between the local population and refugees. In accordance with a 2016 partnership established between IOM and OHCHR, the Office helped to establish 49 village committees that are operating on a participatory approach that include vulnerable groups and women. In 2018, the Office trained 14 village committees in conflict prevention approaches and reinforced the capacity and knowledge of the other 35 committees. Moreover, the communication between local and regional authorities and international aid agencies on the one hand, and the village committees on the other, was facilitated through coordination frameworks that were built with OHCHR support over the past three years. In 2018, the Office enhanced this coordination and several conflicting situations were resolved peacefully, most of which were concluded without the intervention of security forces. UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FIELD NIGER 1 1 Population size Surface area 22.31 million 267,000 km² 2 Human Development Index NHRI (if applicable) 0.354 (rank: 188/188 in 2016) Status A, 2017 Type of engagement Human Rights Adviser Year established 2008 Field office(s) Niamey UN partnership framework United Nations Development Assistance Framework 2014-2018 Staff as of 31 December 2018 2 XB requirements 2018 US$164,000 Key OMP pillars in 2018 123 Please refer to Data sources and notes on p.191. KEY PILLAR RESULTS: Accountability (A) A2 – The action plan of the National Human Rights Commission is updated and fully implemented. OHCHR contributed to the functioning of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in increased conformity with the Paris Principles, by providing technical advice for the development of its action plan. The NHRC approved its Strategic Action Plan 2019-2023 and both OHCHR and UNDP assisted in the identification of priorities and the development of the logical framework. A workshop to validate the draft Strategic Plan took place on 4 August, which benefited from the participation of various stakeholders working for the promotion and protection of human rights in Niger. 210 UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2018 Spotlights: 3 Youth Non-Discrimination (ND) ND6 – The Government and other relevant actors adopt a human rights-based response to combat migrant smuggling and human rights violations associated with irregular migration; particular attention is given to protecting women’s and children’s rights. OHCHR contributed to the protection of groups in vulnerable situations from human rights violations by supporting the establishment of appropriate systems and procedures. In December, Niger adopted a law for the protection and assistance of internally displaced persons (IDPs), in line with the Kampala Convention. The Convention was adopted by the African Union in 2009 and ratified by Niger in 2012. The law aims to strengthen national measures to prevent, mitigate and eliminate the conditions that could lead to internal displacement and calls for the protection and assistance of IDPs. During her March mission to Niger, the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of IDPs encouraged the adoption of a national law for the assistance and protection of IDPs. Furthermore, OHCHR analysed the conformity of national legislation in Niger in relation to the rights of migrants with international human rights standards. In particular, the Office reviewed Law 2015-36 against the standards established in ICRMW, which was ratified by Niger in 2009. The review demonstrated that the Law does not provide for concrete measures to enable migrants to fully enjoy their rights and freedoms on an equal basis with nationals of the country. During an eight-day mission to Niger in October 2018 the Special Rapporteur on the rights of migrants urged the Government of Niger to reform the law on illicit smuggling of migrants to clarify its purpose and provisions, ensure that it does not criminalize or victimize migrant persons and is fully in line with international human rights norms and standards. Mechanisms (M) NIGERIA Population size1 Surface area1 Human Development Index2 NHRI (if applicable)3 195.88 million 924,000 km² 0.532 (rank: 156/188 in 2016) Status A, 2016 Type of engagement Human Rights Adviser Year established 2014 Field office(s) Abuja, Lafia, Maiduguri and Makurdi UN partnership framework United Nations Sustainable Development Partnership Framework 2018-2022 Staff as of 31 December 2018 1 XB requirements 2018 US$ 868,500 Key OMP pillars in 2018 123 Please refer to Data sources and notes on p.191. KEY PILLAR RESULTS: Peace and Security (PS) PS2 – Terrorism suspects are speedily brought before a judge after arrest; terrorism trials are held with significantly less delay. M1 – Niger submits reports promptly to the UPR and to the treaty bodies, engages with and responds to special procedures, and implements their recommendations. OHCHR supported the Nigerian judiciary in its efforts to increase the compliance of its procedures and decisions with international human rights norms and standards. OHCHR provided technical support to Niger to encourage the timely submission of its reports. Trials in relation to the Boko Haram insurgency have been completed in the Wawa Cantonment. Arrangements are underway to begin the mass trial of Boko Haram detainees in Maiduguri. OHCHR met with officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice to advocate for the prompt initiation of the trials and for the secure access of national and international NGOs in order to monitor the proceedings. In 2018, Niger continued its efforts to submit outstanding reports to treaty bodies. As a result, the Government finalized and submitted its initial report under the ICESCR and its third and fourth periodic reports under the CRC. OHCHR trained the members of the interdepartmental committee in charge of drafting the reports on the reporting guidelines and facilitated validation workshops for their finalization. Shifts: Global Constituency People on the move PS3 – Human rights are integrated into humanitarian operations; human rights monitoring and reporting are strengthened; particular attention is given to those who are most vulnerable, including women and children and persons with disabilities. OHCHR advocated for the establishment of systems and procedures to help protect groups in vulnerable situations from human rights violations. The Humanitarian Country Team understood that a human rights perspective is a necessary component of any humanitarian deployment in the country. Consequently, human rights officers were deployed to all humanitarian interventions in Nigeria, in particular in the north-east and the Middle Belt. Furthermore, OHCHR regularly provided information to the United Nations Prevention UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2018 211