Comparative
Study on National Machineries for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights
Project Outline
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started in 16 April 1998
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1.
Background
In May 1997, Advisory Council for Human Rights Protection and Promotion was set up by the Japanese Government to provide expert views on human rights policy to the government. The Council was specifically mandated to prepare two reports, one on human rights education, and the other on policy for further enhancing remedy for human rights violations, in two-year and five-year term respectively. In response to this development, NGOs and academics formed Human Rights Forum 21 in December 1997 to offer its own views to the Council.
In order to provide a solid basis for recommendations, Human Rights Forum 21 initiated the Comparative Study on National Machineries for the protection and promotion of Human Rights.
2.
Objectives
The major objective of this research project is to provide necessary information for Human Rights Forum 21 by conducting comparative study on national human rights commissions and equivalent organizations. The result will be published and made available to the public. Human Rights Forum 21 will utilize the result to form its own recommendations for the government and the Advisory Commission.
3.
Terms of reference
The terms of reference include;
1) Background of the national machinery (historical context, its role
in the overall system for human rights protection
2) Organization and legal background (both from legal and
organizational perspectives)
3) Functions (complaints handling, advisory function to the
government, intervention in the court and in legislation etc..)
4.
Composition of the research team
This research team is consist of 15 researchers from different background.
Chairperson: Koshi YAMAZAKI, Professor at University of Niigata
Research Coordinator: Toshiaki FUJIMOTO, Lecturer at Kanagawa University
5. Areas covered by this research
Following countries will be covered by this research: Australia, France, Germany, India, New Zealand, Nordic countries, Philippines, Sri Lanka, USA, UK, and Canada.
3-5-11 Matsumoto-kinenkaikan, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo , #106-0032, JAPAN
ph: 81-3-3586-7010 fax: 81-3-3585-8966
e-mail: mmaegawa@hurights.or.jp URL: http://www.mars.sphere.ne.jp/jhrf21/