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Primer on Socio-Economic Rights

Submitted by michaelfelber on

This primer discusses the origin and spread of socio-economic rights, articulates reasons for and against including them in a constitution and considers the design options and contextual factors that constitution-makers must address when dealing with this issue. It seeks to guide constitution-makers through a range of constitutional choices, including: (1) Whether socio-economic rights should be incorporated into a constitution? (2) What form their incorporation should take, i.e. as justiciable rights or directive provisions?

Human Rights: A Basic Handbook for UN Staff

Submitted by michaelfelber on

This OHCHR handbook provides a basic introduction to international human rights. It is intended to assist those working outside the human rights secretariat in understanding the concept of human rights, the obligations of the OHCHR to promote and protect human rights, and how the UN discharges this obligation. The handbook provides overviews of international human rights standards and their development, UN organs, human rights mechanisms, UN strategies and action to promote human rigths, and OHCHR and partner activities.

A Practical Guide to Constitution Building: Building a Culture of Human Rights

Submitted by michaelfelber on

This paper appears as chapter 3 of International IDEA’s publication A Practical Guide to Constitution Building. This paper focuses on the development of a human rights culture, defined as a culture in which society values human rights to the extent that most, if not all, official decisions aim to maximize these rights. The paper discusses how this culture is shaped by the constitution-building stage, by type of process used to frame the constitution, and the nature or type of the constitution. Next, the paper addresses building a human rights culture in a conflict affected state.

A Practical Guide to Constitution Building: Principles and Cross-cutting Themes

Submitted by michaelfelber on

This paper appears as chapter 2 of International IDEA’s publication A Practical Guide to Constitution Building. It focuses on constitutional principles. The paper starts by setting out the role of constitutional principles as embodying values, creating agreement, and informing the meaning of the constitution. Next the paper addresses how to enshrine and enforce constitutional principles.

Agreement between UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), the UN Department of Political Affairs (DPA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Submitted by michaelfelber on

This memorandum of understanding delineates the respective responsibilities and roles of UNAMI, UN DPA and UNDP in the framework of UN assistance to the Iraqi constitution-making process.

Confidentiality Provision: This document is confidential and intended solely for the use of United Nations staff. The document should not be reproduced or distributed to any person outside the United Nations.

SCMSP - 2008 Annual Report

Submitted by michaelfelber on

This is the 2008 annual report of the Somalia Constitution-Making Support Project (SCMSP). The report discusses: the context and progress of Somalia's constitutional review, key events, the progress and outputs of the SCMSP, best practices, lessons learned, the way forward, risk management and mitigation, and includes a financial report.