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‘Consolidating the Profession: The Human Rights Field Officer’ is a research, training and capacity-building project in support of enhanced delivery of services by human rights field operations. The project is informed by an overarching consideration that the Human Rights Field Officer (HRFO) is deployed to develop and enhance local human rights capacities and protection. It is convened and facilitated from within the University of Nottingham Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC).
The goals of the project are to:
- identify and fill knowledge gaps regarding the role and function of field-based human rights officers
- develop high-quality training and capacity-building tools for human rights fieldwork - deliver training and capacity-building programmes for field operations and civil society organisations active in fieldwork - facilitate the development of a set of Guiding Principles for Human Rights Field Officers Working in Conflict and Post-conflict Environments Phase One of the project was initiated in 2004 by Michael O'Flaherty, co-director of the HRLC. Research was carried out by the HRLC, in cooperation with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which surveyed the professional identity of HRFOs and their skills and training requirements. In November 2004, an Expert Consultation adopted strategic recommendations directed ‘to and through’ the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for the advancement of the professional identity and skills of HRFOs. More on Phase One
The project is now in Phase Two. A research and best practices track and a training track are being implemented simultaneously and in close coordination. In the current year of Phase Two, internationally recognised experts are generating original research regarding:
- The Role of the HRFO in Partnership for Promotion of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; - The Role of the HRFO in Partnership for Responses to Terrorism; - The Role of the HRFO in Partnership for Criminal Justice; and - The professional Development of the HRFO.
This research is drawing out core legal and operational aspects within each theme and will lead to specific proposals to guide the training and practice of HRFOs. In 2008 Phase Two will culminate with the finalisation and dissemination of a set of Guiding Principles for Human Rights Field Officers Working in Conflict and Post-Conflict Environments.
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