The UN and UNDP in Brussels

Democratic Governance : Human Rights

Key features of the work of UNDP in the area of human rights and human security include: support to the development of national human rights action plans; application of the rights-based approach to programming; assistance for human rights initiatives involving civic education, awareness-raising campaigns, strengthening or creation of ombudsman offices and extension of human rights institutions to the sub-national level.
The UNDP Coordinates among United Nations agencies, thus enabling it to introduce rights-based approaches throughout United Nations country teams in support of the Secretary General's Action 2 Reform Programme (2004), a global programme designed to equip UN interagency country teams to work with Member States, at their request, to bolster their national human rights promotion and protection systems.

Actions undertaken by UNDP with the European Commission

The EC and the UN are working to make respect for human rights a practical reality. In May 2001, the Commission adopted a communication on the EU's role in promoting human rights and democratization in third countries, in which it provides for the development of a coherent strategy and defines "target countries" for human rights measures. The new approach was developed in collaboration with several Directorates-General within the European Commission. The Member States, the European Parliament and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were also involved in its implementation. Achievements in the last couple of years have been many in this domain. For instance, in 30 countries all over the world, the partnership advocated for the rights of refugees and internally displaced people and for legal and political change to bring countries in line with international standards. A firm example is that in Bangladesh, a change in societal attitudes was promoted towards the rights of adolescent girls, including through 1,490 community committees protecting children against abuse, exploitation and violence. The partnership helped amend the child rights laws to comply with international standards, allowing for the establishment of a national bodies for children.

Did you know?

Due to UNDP-EC cooperation in a free village model programme in 2007 in Egypt, the Egyptian government imposed a ministerial decree banning doctors or any other health service providers from practicing FGM. Furthermore, child law amendments criminalizing FGM were revised and passed to the Ministerial cabinet for approval before sending it to the Shura Council, and Parliament. As a result, the Egyptian Cabinet approved an amendment on the Law of the Child.