Rights to Development, Self-determination, Peace and a Protected Environment • Development • A protected environment Another notable feature is the specific description of the rights applicable to each area addressed. Under each of the above sub-headings, the plan discusses: • • • • • • • Constitutional obligations; International obligations; What has been done, in terms of policy, legislation and administrative steps taken; Further challenges; Addressing the challenges; Evaluation and monitoring; Resources and budget. The plan envisages the establishment of a National Consultative Forum on Human Rights, which will have responsibility for implementing and monitoring the plan. The Minister or Deputy Minister of Justice will convene the Forum. Government agencies that are responsible for monitoring and implementing the plan will have to report periodically on progress to the Forum. The plan provides for a full review of progress halfway through its three-year life span, following which it will be revised and readopted. 4.10 Venezuela (1999) Venezuela’s National Plan of Action on Human Rights was elaborated in 1997, which was declared by former President Rafael Caldera the “Year for Human Rights”. The plan was the result of a long process of consultations between the Government, NGOs and representatives of civil society. Several initiatives and recommendations were put forward by NGOs. The President requested the National Commission on Human Rights to compile all initiatives, provide a forum for discussion and maintain regular communication with the NGO community and civil society. In this connection, multiple seminars and workshops throughout Venezuela were organized. Three working groups were established to discuss civil and political rights, economic, social and cultural rights, and environment and human development. Discussions in the three groups took into consideration a gender perspective, the age of the targeted population and vulnerable groups. A first draft was finalized and submitted for consultation to approximately 500 governmental and non-governmental bodies. Further comments and recommendations were duly incorporated. The National Plan of Action was approved in the second half of 1997 and adopted by the Government of President Chavez through a resolution issued by the Ministry of the Presidency in January 1999. The National Plan takes due account of many of the concepts laid out in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. It foresees strategic objectives and follow-up action in the following areas: 37