June 2013

Dr Elina Steinerte was invited to speak at the First International Conference on Combating Torture and Reduction of Pre-Trial Detention. The event was organised under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussin and took place on Dead Sea, Jordan on 26-27 June 2013. This conference, marking the International Day in Support of Torture Survivors, was the first gathering of the kind of representatives from 10 countries of the MENA region (Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Sudan, United Arab Emirates and Yemen) and examined in detail the practise of countries in relation to pre-trail detention and prevention of torture. The participants of the conference elaborated and agreed upon the Final Recommendations of the International Conference on Combating Torture and Reduction of Pre-Trial Detention.

December 2011

A high level seminar ‘Strengthening the Capacities of National Human Rights Institutions in North Africa in Conflict and Post Conflict Situations’ was held from 3-4 December 2012 in Cairo, Egypt, to examine ways of strengthening the capacities of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in North Africa in conflict and post-conflict situations.  It was organised by the HRIC in collaboration with the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) and the Egyptian National Council for Human Rights (NCHR). It brought together the NHRIs of Algeria, Egypt and Morocco, civil society and government representatives from Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Libya and Tunisia as well as stakeholders from international organisations, NGOs and NHRIs outside of the region. The event was funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (UK). The event culminated with the drafting and adoption of Cairo Declaration On the Role of NHRIs in Conflict and Post Conflict Situations (Office document, 34kB).

In January 2012 the HRIC also published a Policy Paper on Strengthening The Capacities Of National Human Rights Institutions In Conflict And Post Conflict Situations In North Africa.