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•
•
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Establishment or strengthening of national human rights institutions;
More effective civil society institutions;
Enhanced programmes for vulnerable groups;
Greater understanding of human rights standards and their value to individuals and
the community; and
Reduced risk of social tensions.
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Figure 1 – Benefits of national action plans
A national action plan will
• Review a country’s human rights needs
• Raise awareness of human rights issues among government officials, security
authorities, civil society organizations and the general public
• Mobilize a broad spectrum of society in a cooperative atmosphere
• Propose realistic activities
• Set achievable targets
• Promote linkages with other national programmes, particularly in the areas of
development and education
• Generate commitment to action
The outcomes of a national action plan will include
• Stronger legal frameworks, embracing firmer adhesion to international norms,
more effective incorporation of human rights standards in domestic law, enhanced
independence of the judiciary and more effective rule of law
• Better protection for individuals
• A stronger culture of human rights
• Stronger national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights
• More effective social programmes that enhance the quality of life for all,
particularly vulnerable groups
• Improved national harmony, reducing risks of internal conflict
1.4
What does this Handbook seek to do?
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
has prepared this Handbook2 as a guide for those considering or working on national
plans of action for the promotion and protection of human rights. It provides
background information on the concept of national plans, on how the idea developed
and on the experience of some countries that have developed such plans. It also
discusses issues relevant to the development of national plans:
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•
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The concept;
Institutional aspects;
Content and structure;
Development, implementation and monitoring; and
2
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights acknowledges and offers its thanks
to the principal author of the Handbook, Mr. Bill Barker of Human Rights International Pty
Ltd., Australia.
3