Constitutional assistance
Under this programme component, OHCHR provides assistance for the incorporation of international human rights norms
into national constitu- tions. In this regard, the Office can play a facilitating role in encouraging national
consensus on those elements to be incorporated into the constitu-
tional reform process utilizing the services of legal exerts. OHCHR assistance may also extend to the provision
of human rights information and documen- tation, or support for public information campaigns to ensure the involve-
ment of all sectors of society.
Their task includes legislative drafting as well as the drafting of bills of rights; the provision of justiciable
remedies under the law; options for the allocation and separation of governmental powers; the independence of the
judiciary; and the role of the judiciary in overseeing the police and prison systems.
National parliaments
Under the Technical Cooperation Programme, national parliaments may receive direct training and other support to
assist them in undertaking their human rights function. This programme component addresses a variety of crucial
issues, including the provision of information on national human rights legislation, parliamentary human rights
committees, ratifications of and accessions to international human rights instruments, and, in general, the role
of parliament in promoting and protecting human rights.
The armed forces
It is essential for the good functioning of the rule of law that the armed forces be bound by the Constitution and
other laws of the land, that they answer to democratic Government and that they are trained in and commit- ted to
the principles of human rights and humanitarian law. The United Nations has carried out a number of training
activities for armed forces.
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