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Impunity and the Rule of Law Combating Impunity and Strengthening Accountability, the Rule of Law and Democratic Society

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Impunity and the Rule of Law Combating Impunity and Strengthening Accountability, the Rule of Law and Democratic Society Impunity and the rule of law Combating impunity and strengthening accountability, the rule of law and democratic society Background Through the adoption of the Declaration of the High-level Meeting on the Rule of Law at the National and International Levels on 24 September 2012, all Member States reaffirmed their commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, international law and justice and an international order based on the rule of law. The Declaration stressed that these are indispensable foundations for a more peaceful, prosperous and just world and emphasized the interlinked and mutually reinforcing nature of human rights, the rule of law and democracy. Events around the world in 2012-2013 provided stark reminders of how the absence of the rule of law can lead to violations of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, as well as to oppressive rule and conflict. Tragic developments in the Central African Republic, Mali and the Syrian Arab Republic, in particular, highlighted the fundamental importance of human rights protection, including through the promotion, preservation of and respect for the rule of law. They also demonstrated the essential need for UN engagement to strengthen the effective protection of human rights and the rule of law. Democratic societies founded on the rule of law and strong, accountable institutions, as well as transparent and inclusive decision-making processes, are more likely to provide effective protection of human rights. Impunity allows gross human rights violations to thrive. It undermines the fabric of societies and prevents the development of sustainable peace and reconciliation. 30 OHCHR REPORT 2013 Africa © Sylvain Cherkaoui/Cosmos/OHCHR/West IMPUNITY AND THE RULE OF LAW Establishing effective mechanisms to ensure that perpetrators of human rights violations do not go unpunished is a key step in the restoration or preservation of the rule of law in the aftermath of conflict or authoritarian regimes. It is also critical that effective and adequate redress and remedies for victims be at the centre of any accountability mechanism. Transitional justice processes compliant with international norms and standards are vital to addressing the consequences of conflict or repressive rule. Rooted in the rights to justice, truth, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence, transitional justice mechanisms can provide a comprehensive approach to help ensure accountability for past human rights violations and redress for victims. OHCHR’s role Within the UN system, OHCHR consistently plays © OHCHR/Guatemala a leading role in encouraging respect for the rule OHCHR staff monitor the trial of the former President of Guatemala, Efraín Ríos Montt, March 2013. of law and democracy, in particular through its focus on combating impunity and strengthening accountability. The key areas of the Office’s impunity At the global level, OHCHR supports the strategy include: supporting transitional justice development of relevant international norms and processes; ensuring access to justice for individuals standards and promotes good practices. It also and groups facing discrimination; enhancing the supports human rights mechanisms in their efforts framework for accountability for human rights to enhance the legal protection of human rights violations, in full consideration of the specific needs and accountability. Furthermore, OHCHR is actively of victims; increasing human rights protection and involved in the Rule of Law Coordination Resource improving the administration of justice, including in Group (RoLCRG), led by the Deputy Secretary- the context of counter-terrorism; and ensuring that General, and the activities of the Global Focal national legislation is in conformity with international Point on Justice, Police and Corrections, which was human rights norms and standards. established in 2012 by the Secretary-General. In implementing its impunity strategy, OHCHR devotes particular attention to supporting national National laws, policies and institutions (EA 1) capacities to strengthen the rule of law and accountability and combat impunity, including Progressively strengthened democratic institutions through the development of practical guidance and governance systems based on the rule of law and tools (i.e., the Secretary-General’s Guidance Note the protection of human rights on the United Nations Approach to Transitional Justice). Through its field presences, the Office has Constitution-making and constitutional courts developed the capacity to work in close cooperation with States and all other stakeholders, including national human rights institutions (NHRIs), providing In 2012-2013, OHCHR provided advice and technical assistance, capacity-strengthening activities assistance in the drafting of new constitutions and advisory services to assist duty-bearers to by advocating for the inclusion of provisions to implement the provisions of international human strengthen human rights and to bring national rights instruments and recommendations issued by constitutions in line with international norms and the human rights mechanisms. Moreover, the Office standards in a number of countries, including contributes to strengthening the rule of law and Egypt, Fiji, Libya, Somalia and Tunisia. For instance, combating impunity through monitoring, documenting in Somalia, the Human Rights Unit of the United and reporting on human rights violations. Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS) 32 OHCHR REPORT 2013 IMPUNITY AND THE RULE OF LAW cooperated with the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs in August 2013 and resolved to strike down the and Reconciliation to provide support and advice constitutional reform on procedural grounds. on human rights issues to the governmental bodies tasked with developing the draft constitution. In Guatemala, OHCHR organized high-level meetings with members of the Constitutional Court and In Tunisia, the National Constituent Assembly’s international experts. In line with the international (NCA) Constitution Commission published a standards discussed at these meetings, the Court final draft of the Constitution at the end of 2013. developed the doctrines of “constitutional block” The Constitution was adopted in January 2014. which allows for the constitutional protection The Office assumed a leading role within the of rights that are not expressly affirmed in the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and provided Constitution and “conventionality control” which the NCA Speaker and Consensus Commission seeks to harmonize domestic legislation and with extensive comments and recommendations government acts with international standards and on the various drafts and strongly advocated for jurisprudence. Moreover, with the support of the inclusion of human rights. The final draft OHCHR, the Constitutional Court published an incorporated provisions on national institutions and online thematic database in 2012 of international bodies related to elections, justice, human rights standards and recommendations emanating from and the media and guaranteed their constitutional human rights mechanisms. protection according to international standards. Compliance of national legislation and policies OHCHR also continued to work with constitutional with human rights courts and advocated for the application of human rights standards in national decisions. For instance, at the request of the Constitutional Court in Colombia, Torture OHCHR presented its observations on a proposed In Uganda, in cooperation with the Uganda Human constitutional reform that would expand the scope Rights Commission (UHRC) and civil society of military justice. Through an analysis of applicable organizations in the framework of the Coalition international human rights and humanitarian law against Torture, OHCHR analysed draft legislation norms, including jurisprudence developed by the on the prevention and prohibition of torture and Inter-American Human Rights Court and decisions undertook advocacy in Parliament. The resulting handed down by the UN Human Rights Committee, Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act, adopted the Office indicated that the proposed constitutional in 2012, is coherent with the provisions of the reform was in violation of Colombia’s human rights Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman obligations. The Court issued its final decision or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT). © UN Photo/Tobin Jones © UN Photo/Tobin Demonstrators advocating for the end of torture during Human Rights Day celebrations in Somalia. OHCHR REPORT 2013 33 IMPUNITY AND THE RULE OF LAW © UN Photo/Violaine Martin © UN Photo/Violaine The High Commissioner participates in a meeting organized by the UN Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force Office in partnership with the Government of Switzerland, June 2013. In Afghanistan, following a report published by the Congress against the Death Penalty in June 2013, the Human Rights Unit of the United Nations Assistance High Commissioner urged all States that apply the Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), entitled Treatment death penalty to impose a moratorium. of conflict-related detainees in Afghan custody: One year on, the President established a fact-finding In 2012, Singapore abolished the mandatory presidential delegation to investigate the allegations imposition of the death penalty, the President of of torture and ill-treatment reflected in the report. Myanmar commuted 150 death sentences and the The President endorsed the recommendations
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