This paper is aimed at assisting persons engaged in nation-building, particularly in post-conflict states. Specifically it is meant to provide insight and examples into the ways and means of recognizing and accommodating multiple national groups living in a specific country. The paper highlights the ways in which ethnic diversity may present itself and the possibility of various groups not being geographically concentrated.

This paper discusses the role of constitutions and opportunities provided by constitution-drafting in democratic consolidation with respect to the protection of religious minorities. The author takes the position that the constitution-drafting process is a rare opportunity for a detailed discussion between the state and its people, which can give rise to important give-and-takes that could result in both short-term conflict resolution and long-term stability of state institutions.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

These are MOUs relating to the UNPOS/UNDP Somalia Joint Constitution Unit (JCU). Also included are the budget for the JCU and TORs for a Mediation Standby Team Expert.

This document is the terms of reference for the UNSOM/UNDP Integrated Constitutional Support Team.  It establishes the institutional mechanisms and modalities for UNSOM and the UN Country Team to coordinate constitutional assistance for Somalia.