Disability Summer School Galway 21 June 2016 Amplifying the Voices of Civil Society Germany: German Civil Society and the German Institute for Human Rights Disability Summer School Galway 21 June 2016 Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
I: Background information Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
GIHR: a National Human Rights Institution Special type of institution: Based on Paris Principles (1993) Typology: Commission, Ombudsman, Committees, Institutes GIHR founded in 2001 GANRHI Chair since 2016 Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
Implementation of Article 33 CRPD in Germany Art. 33 (1): Focal Points in all ministries; headed by Labour and Social Affairs Art. 33 (2): Independent Monitoring Mechanism (IMM) (GIHR) Art. 33 (1) and (3): Council of Inclusion (with the Federal Commissioner on Disability Matters) Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
GIHR: Principles of cooperation NHRI – an own voice Cooperating with all agents Keeping equal distance to all agents Inclusive, equally accessible, transparent, accountable Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
II: Modes of cooperation: three examples Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
1 “Civil Society Consultations” Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M. Conceptual elements Three times a year (4 hours) Private, inclusive, semi-formal Number of members: 60 of which half is present 22 meetings since 2009 Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M. Functions Provide a unique platform Exchange experiences and information Develop a common understanding Discuss CRPD related issues Think of (individually used) strategies Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
Extracts from the agenda: Give introductions to UN Doc and procedures, e.g. GC No 1 and 2 Draft Laws, e.g. BGG Draft Policies, e.g. data collection CRPD Concluding Observations, e.g. discuss torture critique Single issues: e.g. Workshops Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
2 Promoting parallel-reporting Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M. Event on civil society parallel reporting (2011) Provide accessible information on website for CS Be around CRPD-Alliance – observer status (2012-2013) Informal cooperation with NGO-representatives in Geneva (2014-2015) Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
3 Special efforts for highly marginalized groups Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M. e.g. the deaf blind Special personal hearing of deafblind Press release Follow-up in our lobby activities Give special attention to these issues Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M. III: Summary Amplifying the voice of civil society? Yes and no! NHRI: own role, own voice, own agenda Agenda can highly be influenced by CS, however not compelling Nevertheless: interaction with CS is crucial for our performance (and vice versa?) Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
Thanks for your attention! Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.
Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M. More information: http://www.institut-fuer-menschenrechte.de/en/ Dr. Valentin Aichele, LL.M.