The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has published a new, user-friendly handbook entitled “Working with the United Nations Human Rights Programme: A Handbook for Civil Society.”  The authoritative Handbook reviews United Nations human rights bodies and mechanisms, describing how they work and examining the many ways that civil society actors, including NGOs, can contribute to their work. 

The Handbook is directed towards civil society actors who work in the human rights field and aims to allow more people access to and effective use of the United Nations human rights bodies and mechanisms.

The Handbook includes information on:

• OHCHR’s mandate, role and activities
• OHCHR’s fellowship and training programmes
• OHCHR’s publications and resource materials
• The Human Rights Treaty Bodies
• The Human Rights Council
• The Special Procedures
• The Universal Periodic Review
• How to submit complaints on alleged human rights violations;
• Funds and grants available to civil society;
• Best practice example of civil society collaboration with OHCHR in the field; and
• Key contacts at OHCHR. 

Each Handbook chapter can stand independently from the rest of the Handbook but it should not be used as a stand-alone guide.  Whenever possible, it includes references to the OHCHR website and other supplementary resources. 

The entire Handbook can be downloaded in English or Arabic.  Individual chapters or hardcopies can be accessed by going to:  A handbook for NGOs.

Compiled from:  Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID); and the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).