Annex 5: Indicative advanced training menu
Introduction
General training on human rights is discussed in Chapter 8.
This indicative training menu proposes advanced training in areas that would enhance an NHRI's capacities to manage and implement its programmes beyond the areas covered in the Establishment Phase. Some suggested training initiatives are meant to enhance the knowledge and skills that staff should already possess. Others are meant to offer new skills that will benefit the Institutions as it expands its scope of operations.
Once again, a training program should always be based on needs assessment. By the Consolidation Phase, it will be possible to conduct an assessment of staff knowledge and understanding of their work to see where there are gaps and weak areas.
The main principles regarding training for NHRIs are set out in Chapter 8 and Annex 4 to that chapter and should be reviewed.
Advanced courses in Core Protection Issues, e.g.
- Monitoring places of detention
- Preventing torture and other violations
- Protecting witnesses, complainants and human rights defenders
Advanced investigation techniques
- Investigation planning
- Interviewing witnesses
- Planning and carrying out systemic investigations
Evidence
- Techniques for collecting and preserving physical evidence
- Chain of evidence
- Documentary evidence
- The law of evidence
- Specific cases: discrimination; torture; forces disappearances; summary execution/ extrajudicial killings; and sexual assault,
Advanced monitoring and research methodologies
- Understanding the principles of statistical analysis
- Analyzing and synthesising data
- Report writing
Policy Development in NHRIs
- Linking case data to policy development
- Research, analysis and report writing
- How to conduct consultations
- Policy processes: Case studies from successful NHRIs
Advanced Training in Alternative Dispute Resolution
(consider a recognized certificate-level course)
Regional National Human Rights Institutions
- Comparative analysis of NHRIs in region; best practices, case law.
Specialized Topics, e.g.
- Internally displaced persons and refugees
- Gender equality
- Minority rights
- Rights of Indigenous peoples
- Rights of persons with disabilities, including HIV/AIDS
- Rights of the Child
- Labour law and human rights
Human-Rights Based Approaches to Development
- Collecting and disaggregating data
- Millennium Development Goals and other internationally-agreed goals
- Tracking progress: monitoring and report-writings
Database Management (Case management)
- Generating and interpreting User and Management Reports from database
How to Hold Public Inquiries
Communications and Promotion
- Event planning and publicity
- Adult education principles
- Report writing
- Developing reports that are accessible (different languages, accessibility to persons with disabilities, etc.
- Advanced train-the trainer sessions for security forces, and police