UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FIELD
Accountability (A)
A1 – Human rights training and education
is institutionalized in the justice, health, education, and defence and security sectors.
The HRS provided technical support for
the institutionalization of human rights in
key sectors.
The HRS and the Ministry of Education
collaborated to prepare a manual for primary education students on the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. A second
manual was developed for the use of professors and will be released in 2019. No
progress has been achieved, however, in
relation to the institutionalization of human
rights training in the health, justice and
defence sectors.
Participation (P)
P5 – A protection mechanism for human
rights defenders is in place.
With a view to supporting the establishment of protection mechanisms that
conform to international human rights standards, the HRS provided technical advice
and financial support to the Human Rights
Defenders Network. This collaboration led
to the completion of a countrywide mapping of human rights defenders.
The final stage of the mapping took place
from June to September and involved field
missions to Farim, Mansaba, Bissorã and
Bigéne where 116 human rights defenders, including 58 women, were identified.
The full mapping exercise, which began in
2017, led to the identification of 791 human
rights defenders, including 328 women.
The Human Rights Defenders Network initiated a process of decentralization through
the establishment of regional structures
as an important step towards the creation
of early warning mechanisms in a number
of regions.
202 UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2018
UN HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE FIELD
Non-Discrimination (ND)
ND3 – Laws are passed that ensure women’s equality; they include a quota system
for women’s political participation and
representation, and prohibit early and
forced marriage.
The HRS advocated for the compliance of
legislation and policies with international
human rights norms and standards, particularly in relation to women’s rights.
In 2018, Bissau Guinean women mobilized for the adoption of the Parity Law
for the participation of women in politics
and decision-making spheres, which was
formally adopted on 2 August and promulgated by the President in December. The
entry into force of the Law is expected to
introduce changes to the political sphere.
For example, one of its main objectives is
the promotion of gender equality through
enhanced equal opportunities for men
and women, including by establishing a
minimum representation of 36 per cent of
each gender in lists for elected positions.
The HRS will continue working towards
strengthening the capacities of women to
increase their political participation.
In addition, the HRS advocated with and
trained national authorities and other
stakeholders to promote their increased
engagement with the human rights mechanisms under the Mechanisms pillar.
trial seeking compensation and remedial action for lead poisoning of a slum in
Mombasa, were placed under Kenya’s witness protection programme. The Office
also paid a portion of the legal fees and
supported the attendance of critical witnesses for the case.
KENYA
Population size1 Surface area1 Human Development Index2 NHRI (if applicable)3
50.95 million
592,000 km² 0.590 (143/188 in 2016)
Status A, 2014
Type of engagement
Human Rights Adviser
Year established
2008
Field office(s)
Nairobi
UN partnership framework
United Nations Development Assistance
Framework 2018-2022
Staff as of 31 December 2018
5
XB requirements 2018
US$963,400
D2 – The courts and State non-judicial
mechanisms hold businesses and other
economic actors accountable, in accordance with human rights standards and
the Guiding Principles on Business and
Human Rights.
Key OMP pillars in 2018
123
Through consistent advocacy, OHCHR
contributed to the improved compliance
of legislation and policy with international
human rights norms and standards.
Please refer to Data sources and notes on p.191.
KEY PILLAR RESULTS:
Participation (P)
P1 – The Kenyan authorities put measures
in place to protect civic space, including
the Public Benefits and Organizations
Act. The measures, and policies on public participation, comply with international
human rights standards.
Office facilitated two forums that enabled
the Department of Justice to consult with
different stakeholders from the government, civil society, the private sector and
women’s organizations, all of which provided inputs into the draft.
Development (D)
With OHCHR technical support, the compliance of the draft national policy on
public participation with international
human rights standards has significantly
improved.
The draft policy, once approved, will provide a framework for public participation in
policy development and implementation.
The draft has been finalized and handed
over to the Attorney General for its presentation to the Cabinet. It is consistent with
the Guidelines on Public Participation adopted by the Human Rights Council. The
D1 – Two landmark litigation cases are
successfully completed, and victims receive remedies.
OHCHR advocated for the functioning
of accountability and protection mechanisms in line with international human
rights standards.
In May, following advocacy efforts undertaken by OHCHR and the Special
Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, three environmental human
rights activists, who had testified in a
Shifts:
The National Action Plan on Business
and Human Rights, which has yet to be
approved, will ensure the realization of
the standards set out in the UN Guiding
Principles on Business and Human Rights.
As a member of the Steering Group set up
by the Government of Kenya to develop
the plan, OHCHR provided advice on its
contents and participated in consultations
with a wide range of stakeholders, including women and indigenous peoples.
D8 – National institutions, assisted by
communities, systematically collect,
disaggregate and use data relevant for
advancing human rights when they monitor and implement the SDGs.
In August, a pilot population census included a set of indicators on albinism
and self-identification of indigenous
persons for the first time. OHCHR provided technical advice to the National
Bureau of Statistics and the Kenya
National Commission on Human Rights
(NCHR) on data collection. It also compiled and shared a list of treaty body
Civic Space
UN HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2018 203
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