July 1, 2016

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION OF
NORTH EAST ASIAN CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
July 5, 2016
Co-organizers:
Korea Center for UN Human Rights Policy (KOCUN)
Forum Asia for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
Human Rights NGOs Forum (HR NGO Forum)

INTRODUCTION
GENERAL INFORMATION

Northeast Asia Civil Society Forum has convened twice in 2011 and 2013 following the recommendations of Universal Periodic Review of the UN Human Rights Council. This forum will be held in order to achieve successful implementation of the UPR in North East Asia, inviting mainly civil society actors in the subregion as well as experts and scholars, including relevant experts from the UN human rights mechanisms. The following issues were discussed in the 1st and 2nd forums:
1st NEA Civil Society Forum, Tokyo, Japan, October 28-30, 2011

• To discuss selected UPR and Treaty Bodies/Special Procedures recommendations particularly relevant to North East Asia
• To identify obstacles in the implementation
• To establish sub regional follow-up strategy on the selected recommendations
• To establish a UPR network for civil society actors in North East Asia.
• To prepare for the second cycle of the UPR

Forum Two, Seoul, Korea,July 31- Augist 2, 2013

• Role of national human rights organizations, and civil society in implementation of UPR recommendations
• Implementation of UPR recommendations by countries and civil society engagement

Thematic discussion:

Minority rights (women, people with disabilities, migrants, LGBT, and others) and activities against Discrimination

Civil political rights(right to free expression, right to religious freedom)

• Government action plan in implementation of UPR recommendations and Good practices
• Role of Parliament in successfully implementing the UPR recommendations and Good practices
• Process of establishing National Human Rights Organizations (NHRO), and the role of NHROs in successful implementation of UPR recommendations
• Action plan and Cooperation

It was decided to organize the next forum in Mongolia at the Forum Two. There is a challenge in fund raising for organization of the sub-regional CSOs Forum. At the same time, Mongolia is organizing the high level convention of Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) in 2016 which is affecting the funding. However, we have planned to organize a Roundtable discussion of Northeast Asia CSOs basing on the open space of the AEPF 11. There is a 11th Asia Europe People’s Forum planned prior to ASEM between July 4-6, 2016. We have been planning to organize a half day Roundtable discussion for the CSOs participating in this summit.

GOAL

• Discuss recommendations, good practices and lessons received from UPR 2nd cycle and share experiences among the sub region;
• Discuss the future sustainable cooperation of Northeast Asia CSOs in human rights field

AGENDA

• UPR 2nd cycle recommendations for Northeast Asia countries and implementation plan, CSO engagement, good practices, and lessons learnt
• Presentation of one CSO from each of the Northeast Asian country
• Questions and answers
• Futurecooperation of Northeast Asian CSOs in human rights field
• Open discussion