Chapter Six: United Nations Joint Programme on Human Rights in Sri Lanka (Support to the Human Rights Commission Phase 2 – June 2013 to June 2016) 6.1. Background of the Project This is a project implemented by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) supported jointly by UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), OHCHR (Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights), UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), UNFPA (United Nations Fund for Population Activities) and IOM (International Organization for Migration). The first phase of the project was executed from 2010 Jan to December 2012 and the second stage from June 2013 up to June 2016. In the year 2008, the Government of Sri Lanka made a commitment at the UPR process of the Human Rights Council: a) To Develop a National Human Rights Action Plan and a database on disappearances; and b) To strengthen internal mechanisms for human rights protection and advancement within the country. At this stage, the Government approached UNDP for financial and technical assistance andthe project was planned jointly by HRCSL and the UN. Gaps and issues identified by the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (ICC) in 2007 & 2009 as reasons for down grading HRCSL to grade B; Recommendations of the capacity assessment conducted by APF, UNDP regional office &OHCHR in 2012; the National Human Rights Action Plan; Recommendations issued to HRCSL in LLRC Report; Input gathered at multi stakeholder consultations/ meetings held 43