1.5
The Workshop reaffirmed faith in the crucial importance of cooperation
between national human rights institutions and NGOs and recognised they should
work together on the basis of their common commitment to the universality and
indivisibility of human rights as expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, international human rights instruments and the Vienna Declaration. The
Workshop also recognised that national human rights institutions and NGOs have
different roles in the promotion and protection of human rights and that the
independence and autonomy of civil society and NGOs and of national human rights
institutions must be respected and upheld.
1.6
Given the diversity in the nature and composition of national human rights
institutions and NGOs and the common objective of protecting and promoting human
rights it was agreed that there should be mutual consultation and cooperation in
human rights projects and education.
1.7
Participants from national institutions and organisations represented at the
Workshop agreed on the following action strategies they committed themselves to
implement as appropriate:
2
Structures and mechanisms of co-operation
2.1
Recognise the importance of, and implement, better consultation processes
between national human rights institutions and NGOs, which should be regular,
transparent, inclusive and substantive; encourage NGOs to decide on what processes
and mechanisms best suit their circumstances and relations with the national human
rights institution in their country; encourage national institutions to establish focal
points to facilitate relations with NGOs;
2.2
Hold joint training programs;
2.3
Consider temporary personnel attachments between national institutions and
NGOs;
2.4
Cooperate where possible when making recommendations to governments or
other national bodies;
2.5
Cooperate and seek advice from OHCHR in encouraging the development of
national human rights action plans;
2.6
Hold workshops on specific issues of mutual interest, with a particular focus
on ensuring a balanced approach to participation and organisation;
2.7
Establish mechanisms for discussion between national institutions and NGOs
with a view to maximising possibilities of using information technology to keep each
other informed of their activities and issues arising from monitoring of human rights
questions as well as relevant recommendations;