Foreign policy and Human Rights

(1) Strengthening southern NGOs’ participation at the UN Human Rights System - the NGOs participation in the UN human rights system, especially in the new Human Rights Council, is essential as much to demand that the countries performance prioritizes the protection of the human rights over other interests as to approximate the UN of the local realities where the human rights violations occur.

However, the Southern NGOs participation in this system has been underneath its potential and must be fortified. In this direction, Conectas develops the following activities: (a) researches and dissemination of information; (b) development of qualification activities and experiences exchange; and (c) conduction of joint initiatives of mobilization and advocacy, in the country-members of the Council capitals and in its missions at the UN. Conectas also participates of the main sessions of the Human Rights Council, in Geneva, using its Consultative Status.

Read the document produced by Conectas at the occasion of the 5th session of the Human Rights Council (10th to the 18th June, 2007) and signed by 11 other African, Asian and Latin American NGOs (in English, in Spanish and in Portuguese).

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(2) promoting joint advocacy and mobilization among activists from Africa, Asia and Latin America; and

(3) fostering the creation, at the national level, of formal mechanisms for civil society participation in foreign policy formulation.