UN human rights high-level visit to Chad, Niger, 1-6 April

GENEVA, Switzerland, March 29, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Kyung-wha Kang, on Sunday begins a six-day mission to Chad and Niger to discuss a wide range of human rights issues with the Government and other stakeholders in the countries.

This will be the first visit to the two countries by a senior UN human rights official and it comes six months after the deployment of a Human Rights Advisor by the UN Human Rights office to Chad. A Human Rights Advisor has also been based in Niger since 2008.

In N'Djamena, Chad from 1-3 April, Ms. Kang will meet the President, the Prime Minister, a number of other ministers, the President of the National Assembly, the Bureau of the National Human Rights Institution of Chad, as well as civil society organizations and heads of UN agencies.

“I look forward to discussing how the UN Human Rights office can further cooperate with Chad to reinforce the promotion and protection of human rights, including through its national institutions,” Ms. Kang said.

Ms. Kang will also participate in the Workshop on Human Rights Action Plan for implementation of the recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Tuesday, 3 April at 10am at the Novotel, N'Djamena. Later that day, the Deputy High Commissioner will hold a press conference at 18h00 at the premises of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

In Niamey, Niger from 4-6 April, Ms. Kang will meet the President, the Prime Minister, a number of other ministers, the President of the Parliament, the National Observatory for Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and civil society members.

“During my mission to Niamey, I will be able to discuss first-hand with all relevant authorities the progress made and challenges that remain in addressing human rights issues in Niger,” the Deputy High Commissioner said.

Ms. Kang will also attend a workshop on UPR on Friday, 6 April at 10h00 at the Palais des congrès and host a press conference at 18h30 on the same day at the Grand Hotel.