Myanmar: Visual Guide on NMRF

"Visual Guide on the the National Mechanism on Reporting and Follow-up" published in English and Myanmar

In order to realise longer-term and more comprehensive protection of human rights on the ground in accordance with international human rights standards, it is essential for all stakeholders at national level to effectively engage with relevant international mechanisms, such as UN Treaty Bodies that monitor implementation of respective UN human rights Treaties. However, such engagement has also been a challenge to many States, especially concerning timely reporting to those bodies and implementation of recommendations given by those bodies, as the number of international Treaties increased. In this context, more and more States are establishing so-called “National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up (NMRF)”, in order to realise more effective, efficient and comprehensive engagement with international bodies and enhance implementation of various State obligations thereunder. 

Against this backdrop, CCPR Centre, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar, organised a 1.5-day workshop on 19 and 20 August 2019 titled “National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow-up (NMRF) and reporting to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR)” in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, as a part of its multi-year project to assist efforts of national stakeholders in Myanmar to protect and promote civil and political rights, in particular by joining and implementing the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The workshop aimed to expand the capacity of national actors in establishing their own NMRF, whereby taking the initial reporting of Myanmar to CESCR as a practical example.

This publication is a summary of key information shared at the workshop about possible NMRF including its basic elements, possible forms and benefits. Additional and update information was also collected after the workshop on the NMRF practiced by Portugal, which was summarised and presented in the annex. It was developed and printed with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland to Myanmar, the British Embassy Yangon and Lotterie Romande.