UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FIELD ratification of international and regional human rights treaties. In 2018, the Government ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families, thereby helping to strengthen the national legal framework for the protection of these two groups in vulnerable situation. OHCHR will continue its advocacy with the Government and the National Assembly for the ratification of the other pending treaties. M1 – At least four Special Rapporteurs visit Chad. To increase the percentage of special procedures visit requests that would result in a visit within 12 months, OHCHR provided logistical support and strongly advocated with the Government to facilitate such missions. In 2018, following a request from the Government, the Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination held its second official visit to Chad. During this visit, the Working Group met with members of the Government, diplomatic representatives, UN agencies, NGOs, the judicial pool in charge of the prosecution of Boko Haram suspects and the Chad Bar Association. It also visited the Gaoui transit site for displaced persons. These meetings enabled the Working Group to assess the human rights situation in relation to the use of mercenaries and to present to the Government with workable recommendations, which would, if implemented, strengthen the protection and promotion of human rights in the country. 196 UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2018 Spotlights: UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FIELD M1 – Chad submits six reports to treaty bodies that are due, in compliance with reporting guidelines. The Office provides technical support to the Government to ensure that at least 60 per cent of reports are submitted to the treaty bodies in compliance with reporting guidelines. The Government of Chad drafted and submitted its national report to the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review, which was reviewed by the Human Rights Council on 13 November. As an outcome of the review, the Government committed to implementing the recommendations issued by the UPR Working Group, including the development of an action plan for their implementation. In addition, the country office supported the UN Country Team and civil society organizations in the drafting and submission of their contributions to the UPR. Development (D) D7 – When they are drafted, implemented and evaluated, UN strategic programmes take account of human rights. With the support of OHCHR, humanitarian operations integrated international human rights norms, standards and principles to a significant extent, as well as the recommendations issued by the international human rights mechanisms. As the Chair of the Gender and Human Rights Cluster and a member of the Protection and Gender-Based Violence Clusters, the Country Office contributed to the drafting and implementation of the workplans related to these clusters, as well as the Protection Cluster Strategy, Youth the Protection Framework Note and the Protection Needs Assessment. OHCHR’s support ensured that human rights and gender perspectives were taken into account and that the recommendations of the human rights mechanisms were integrated into these documents. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: THE UNITED NATIONS JOINT HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE (UNJHRO) Population size1 Surface area1 Human Development Index2 NHRI (if applicable)3 5.40 million 342,000 km² 0.457 (176/188 in 2016) Status A, 2018 Type of engagement Peace Mission Year established 2008 Field office(s) Bandundu, Beni, Bukavu, Bunia, Butembo, Dungu, Goma, Kalemie, Kananga, Kindu, Kinshasa, Kisangani, Lubumbashi, Matadi, Mbandaka, Mbuji-Mayi, Thsikapa and Uvira UN partnership framework United Nations Development Assistance Framework 2013-2018 Staff as of 31 December 2018 123 XB requirements 2018 US$ 6,457,800 Key OMP pillars in 2018 123 Please refer to Data sources and notes on p.191. KEY PILLAR RESULTS: Accountability (A) A1 – The judiciary increases the number of convictions for human rights violations, including sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). Oversight mechanisms strengthen disciplinary measures for the same offences. The United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) supported the increased compliance of selected State institutions with international human rights norms and standards by facilitating capacity-building and advocating for their compliance with these standards. Since the beginning of 2018, the UNJHRO has registered 175 convictions for serious human rights violations. The Office met with judicial authorities on a regular basis to follow up on certain cases. This resulted in the arrest, indictment, prosecution and conviction of some of the perpetrators of these violations. The UNJHRO also supported the implementation of the national strategy of prosecution of international crimes as well as of the Action Plan of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo against Sexual Violence in Conflict, including through advocacy and training of army commanders on the prevention of conflict-related sexual violence. Participation (P) P1 – The NHRC fulfils its mandate and is in compliance with the Paris Principles. It s mandate includes responding to complaints. Due in part to technical assistance provided by the Office, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) worked to increase conformity with international standards. Shifts: Global Constituency In August, the Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions accredited the NHRC with “A” status in recognition of its full compliance with the Paris Principles. During the year, the NHRC’s outreach capacity was reinforced with the adoption of a strategic communications plan and a series of awareness-raising activities that were directed towards the population, including the celebration of the seventieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In addition, thanks to technical and financial support provided by the UNJHRO, a pool of trainers for the NHRC was created, trained and deployed. Three training workshops were subsequently organized for 50 NHRC commissioners to strengthen their skills on monitoring and reporting techniques in the context of elections. P4 – With UNJHRO support, civil society networks assist a larger number of victims of human rights violations. Through capacity-building initiatives, the UNJHRO supported the increased knowledge and skills of civil society actors in relation to protective measures. Following efforts undertaken by the Peace Mission, there are now at least 25 active NGO protection networks, as well as early warning mechanisms, that are working within communities in at least six provinces (Tshopo, Ituri, Haut Uele, Tanganyika, South Kivu and North Kivu). These networks and mechanisms were either created or reinforced as a result of technical support that was provided by the UNJHRO. Participants were trained about human rights and international humanitarian principles, monitoring and reporting on human rights violations. Through the mechanisms, alerts on threats and/or violations of human rights were quickly transmitted to UNJHRO for appropriate action and follow-up with authorities. Prevention UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2018 197