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Discover how the German Institute for Human Rights collaborates with civil society to promote disability rights, equality, and transparency. Explore various cooperation models and the Institute's efforts to amplify marginalized voices.
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Amplifying the Voices of Civil Society Germany: German Civil Society and the German Institute for Human Rights Disability Summer School Galway21 June 2016 Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
I: Background information Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
GIHR: a National Human Rights Institution • Special type of institution: Based on Paris Principles (1993) • Typology: Commission, Ombudsman, Committees, Institutes • GIHR founded in 2001 • GANRHI Chair since 2016 Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
Implementation of Article 33 CRPD in Germany • Art. 33 (1): Focal Points in all ministries; headed by Labour and Social Affairs • Art. 33 (2): Independent Monitoring Mechanism (IMM) (GIHR) • Art. 33 (1) and (3): Council of Inclusion (with the Federal Commissioner on Disability Matters) Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
GIHR: Principles of cooperation • NHRI – an own voice • Cooperating with all agents • Keepingequal distance to all agents • Inclusive, equally accessible, transparent, accountable Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
II: Modes of cooperation: three examples Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
1 “Civil Society Consultations” Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
Conceptual elements • Three times a year (4 hours) • Private, inclusive, semi-formal • Number of members: 60 of which half is present • 22 meetings since 2009 Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
Functions • Provide a unique platform • Exchange experiences and information • Develop a common understanding • Discuss CRPD related issues • Think of (individually used) strategies Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
Extracts from the agenda: • Give introductions to UN Doc and procedures, e.g. GC No 1 and 2 • Draft Laws, e.g. BGG • Draft Policies, e.g. data collection • CRPD Concluding Observations, e.g. discuss torture critique • Single issues: e.g. Workshops Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
2 Promoting parallel-reporting Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
Event on civil society parallel reporting (2011) • Provide accessible information on website for CS • Be around CRPD-Alliance – observer status (2012-2013) • Informal cooperation with NGO-representatives in Geneva (2014-2015) Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
3 Special efforts for highly marginalized groups Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
e.g. thedeaf blind • Special personal hearing of deafblind • Press release • Follow-up in our lobby activities • Give special attention to these issues Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
III: Summary • Amplifying the voice of civil society? Yes and no! • NHRI: own role, own voice, own agenda • Agenda can highly be influenced by CS, however not compelling • Nevertheless: interaction with CS is crucial for our performance (and vice versa?) Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
Thanks for your attention! Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
More information: http://www.institut-fuer-menschenrechte.de/en/ Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.