Activities of Independent Committee of Experts - 2006

Dear colleagues, I am taking a break after a five and half month long period. I will be on ORB/annual leave from tomorrow until the end of April. I have a quick note for you on where we are in the INCHR matter, and what support we are providing to the Independent Committee of Experts.

As you are aware, the Independent Committee of Experts to vet nominees and prepare a shortlist of candidates for INCHR Chairpersons and Commissioner was convened by the former Chief Justice on 28 December. HRPS drafted the rules of procedure important for the selection panel. The panel has agreed to follow these rules.

On 6 March the Committee called for nominations and since then HRPS has widely publicized the process through UNMIL radio announcements, coffee-break program, and our dispatch/statements on the regular news bulletins. The Chairman of the Committee has also been provided with the opportunity to speak from the UNMIL radio in order to call the attention of the stakeholders.

Information on the nomination and vetting process are being provided by various community outreach activities conducted by HROs in the Counties. The Public Information Section in Monrovia has helped us by preparing the appropriate work orders and ensuring that the announcement of the Independent Committee of Experts is aired on community radio stations in the assigned areas. Those stations are being utilized which have standing and valid contracts with UNMIL PI to ensure that they are compensated following airing. They will be running the announcement up to the 9th of April and not more than three times daily.

HROs in the field have also taken the initiative to encourage even those community radios at their location with which the Public Information section does not have any standing arrangement.

Meanwhile, the UNDP is assisting the Independent Committee of Experts to advertise the announcement in the three major newspapers of Liberia including the The Analyst. It has also financed talk programmes and movement of the members of the committee outside Monrovia. Some radio programmes with the Monrovia-based FMs (including the Veritas) are also being launched with the help of the UNDP. HRPS is in touch with the UNDP and is working with the colleagues there to maximize the effect of our assistance.

Additionally, HRPS has also offered our expertise and facilities (air transport network, local transportation, etc) should they need it. If you are approached for any assistance in the filed, kindly extend such assistance to them to the extent it is possible on our part. We need to make sure that our counterparts in the County (courts/prisons/police/Superintendents, etc) and the civil society groups have the opportunity to meet and interact with the Committee members.

The Secretariat of the Independent Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) is also involved in the awareness building process. HRPS is assisting them by facilitating their movement and providing the INCHR Acts and the photocopies of the Announcement of the Committee for their distribution.

It is hoped that the INCHR will be inaugurated by the end of June, which will then allow HRPS to conduct the various activities relating to the institutional development of this body, including training and provision of input into policy, staffing tables, fund-raising etc.

Activities to be pursued in April

• Regular interaction with the Independent Committee of Experts (especially its chair, Bishop Sumowood Harris) until April 10
• Take part in their meetings, vetting/nomination proceedings as an observer between April 10 and April 30
• Provide technical assistance (legal, human rights related and procedural) where necessary during the period
• Coordination with UNDP especially Jackcilia Ebere, UNDP/HRO responsible for INCHR)

Please contact Adam for all INCHR and Independent Committee of Experts related matters, and June for Sector 4 human rights operations. Feel free to contact me on human_rights_nepal@yahoo.co.uk should you feel very urgent. Many thanks, Bipin Adhikari (HRPS).