OHCHR Conducts A Three-day Training On Human Rights Treaty Bodies Reporting For National Mechanism on Reporting and Follow-up By: Julius Konton

By Ivan G Yorsee On Dec 15, 2023

The UN Human Rights Office in Liberia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, has embarked on three-day training for the National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up (NMRF) in Monrovia. The NMRF is a national public mechanism mandated by the government to coordinate and prepare reports to and engage with international and regional human rights mechanisms (including treaty bodies, the Universal Periodic Review, and Special Procedures), and to coordinate and track national follow-up and implementation of the treaty obligations and the recommendations emanating from these mechanisms. The training workshop is designed to strengthen the capacity of the NMRF in fulfilling its role of reporting to the U.N Treaty Bodies and in the implementation of their recommendations. 35 participants drawn from the Independent National Commission on Human Rights, Government Ministries, Civil Society Organizations, and the UN are attending the training. Speaking at the opening of the workshop Mr. Christian Mukosa, the OHCHR Representative in Liberia said, “As a party to seven of the nine core international human rights treaties, Liberia is not only required to report to the respective treaty bodies but also to actively engage with these mechanisms and implement their recommendations”. The Ministry of Justice expressed gratitude to OHCHR for supporting the government in establishing the NMRF, as a first step to ensuring that Liberia complies with its international treaties’ obligations. “The unique opportunity for self-assessment that this engagement provides, incorporating data collection and analysis, as well as allowing for legislative and policy review is critical for strengthening the human rights architecture of the country”, said Mr Divine Kutakata, the Director for Human Rights in the Ministry of Justice. Among other things, The three- day training will equip participants with a better understanding of how the international human rights treaty system operates and the specific roles expected of all members of the NRMF. Recommendations from the training will also allow a clear roadmap for reducing Liberia’s reporting backlog to international treaty bodies. Mr. Mukosa pledged OHCHR’s unwavering commitment to continue to work closely with the Government of Liberia in the protection and promotion of human rights including through support to the NMRF.