As part of the activities relating to the implementation of the UPR Voluntary Funds Project the UPR Regional Adviser, in collaboration with the Republic of Congo's Senior Human Rights Adviser, conducted a mission in Brazzaville, from 14 to 17 October 2024 to provide technical and financial support to the Ministry of Justice to draw up an action plan for implementing the recommendations of the 4th cycle of the Universal Periodic Review.
The Republic of Congo was reviewed by the UPR Working Group on January 30, 2024, and, of the 244 recommendations made during the interactive dialogue, the country accepted 236 recommendations but noted 12.
The Republic of Congo will have to report on the implementation of the recommendations it accepted during the 5th UPR cycle, and to do so, the country must draw up a strategy for the implementation of the recommendations for the next 4.5 years, including thematic planning, resources to be deployed, focal points for monitoring implementation, and a clear timetable.
The objective of the workshop was to facilitate the development of a national action plan for the implementation and follow-up of the recommendations accepted during the 4th cycle of the UPR and the three Human Rights Committees.
To enable participants (focal points of sectoral ministers, representatives of judicial, security and penitentiary institutions, the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) and civil society organizations) to acquire up-to-date knowledge of the main human rights mechanisms and the strategy for implementing and monitoring the recommendations of the 2024 UPR.
To train participants on the process of developing specific activities for implementation, as well as defining human rights performance indicators to measure progress and assess the impact of planned actions.
1. Key counterparts and issues discussed
The RA met with several actors and stakeholders in the UPR process in Gabon, including officials from international institutions.
- The meeting with the Delegation of the European Union was very crucial in that the RA requested the involvement of the institution to support the implementation of the recommendations accepted by Congo. The EU expressed its readiness to provide support if Congo's NMIRF succeeded in putting in place a strategy with concrete proposals for implementation. The RA reassured that the workshop's methodology was aimed at producing a roadmap that will define the detailed orientations of this strategy. The EU Delegation agreed in principle to support the Government with 500,000 Euros for the implementation.
- The RA met with the President of the NHRI and his team to express his wish to see the institution involved in the implementation process, and to share his thoughts on recommendations that are in line with the strengthening of this institution. The President also spoke of the need to amend the law establishing the NHRI to bring it into line with the Paris Principles, in the hope of having an MNP and moving towards A status.
- The RA had a meeting with the SHRA and the General Director of Human Rights who acts as lead of the Congo NMIRF, an ad hoc and non-permanent structure. The meeting served to clarify the workshop format and prepare tools such as the recommendations matrix, and to discuss aspects concerning the status of the NMIRF. The General Director of Human Rights pointed out that discussions to strengthen the NMIRF had led to the drafting of a bill which had been pending with the Minister of Justice for over a year.
2. Overall impression and key takeaways
- During the meeting with the President of the NHRI and his team, he reaffirmed its willingness to be involved as a key player in facilitating dialogue between the government and other stakeholders in the UPR process, and to encourage the submission of quality contributions.
- The advocacy with the authorities concerning the political actions to be taken for the creation of the NMIRF in line with the standards, as well as the strengthening of the NHRI in line with the Paris principles, remains part of priorities with the support of the RC in the country.
- During the workshop, participants from various sectoral ministerial departments, members of the CNDH and representatives of civil society and human rights organisations (43 men and 17 women)was able to identify priorities and drafted the strategy for implementing the 232 recommendations accepted by the Republic of Congo.
- Participants learned how to consult the Universal Human Rights Index and its functionalities. They were then divided into thematic groups and assisted by RA to process the recommendations, grouping them into a matrix to identify activities, set indicators and designate the administrations that will be responsible for implementation.
- During the opening ceremony the Directeur de Cabinet of the Ministry of Justice reiterated the Republic of Congo's commitment to human rights mechanisms and its determination to implement the accepted recommendations. In his speech, he raised the importance of cooperation with the United Nations, and with the OHCHR, which he described as a key partner.
- A roadmap for the implementation of Congo's UPR recommendations was adopted during the workshop to serve as a reference document for determining actions and deadlines for implementing the UPR recommendations.
- The EU took part in the workshop as an observer and was delighted that the NMIRF had produced a roadmap enabling it to confirm its US$500,000 support for implementing the recommendations.
- Follow up action points
- A follow-up of the modalities of this financing is necessary and follow up with the Ministry of Justice to develop a chronogram of activities defined in the roadmap to facilitate better coordination and monitoring of implementation.
- Continue to advocate the strengthening of the INDH and the creation of a legal basis for a permanent and effective NMIRF.
Continue to work with the RC to involve UNCT in developing a joint strategy to support implementation of the recommendations and encourage dialogue initiatives and inclusiveness of all stakeholders, particularly CSOs.
