PART FIVE: CURRENT OPERATING receives a regular flow of complaints and
these have to be resolved as effectively
ARRANGEMENTS
5.1 Introduction
Since this SOP was first drafted, in
November 2010, down to the present
time, the Commission has had to operate
with few staff, especially technical staff,
some of them seconded, others paid for by
the UNDP BNHRC-Capacity Development
project. The Secretary, Directors and
Deputy Directors are all seconded from the
Ministry. The Commission has been able
to appoint only four graduates as its own
staff. A more realistic organogram for 96
staff awaits approval by the bureaucracy,
but this may take many months.
Also, the Commission has yet to
secure an adequate budget from the
Ministry of Finance (which is channelled
through the Ministry of Law, Justice and
Parliamentary Affairs (MoLJPA). Although
the Commission has secured replacement
premises, these may not be adequate to
house the staff that will arrive once the
new organogram is implemented. In short,
the Commission faces severe challenges
in fulfilling its mandate. Even when
adequate funds are authorised and paid
to the Commission, there will still a major
recruitment exercise to be undertaken.
There are very few staff who can support
Commissioners as contemplated by this
SOP and it is likely to be several months
before there is any significant change in
this situation.
Despite this, there are already high
expectations of Commissioners. Human
rights situations need to be responded
to. Speeches have to be made, media
interviews undertaken. The Commission
as possible under the prevailing
circumstances. This necessarily involves
a greater input from all Commissioners
at the operational level – a more handson approach than the governance
responsibilities set out earlier in this SOP.
Commissioners have therefore taken
the following decisions about how
Commissioners will work together to
begin the implementation of the Strategic
Plan and respond to the expectations of
all its stakeholders.
5.2 Decision-making
Commissioners
by
In order to harness the broad range of
expertise of all seven Commissioners, all
but the most routine policy decisions will
be taken by all Commissioners, working
together. Day-to-day activities which
require decisions to be taken before
without the opportunity for discussion
by all Commissioners will be taken by
the full-time Commissioners, working
together, who will inform the honorary
members of decisions taken at the next
Commission meeting. Where these
involve policy matters, the decision will be
taken to the next Commission meeting for
endorsement.
The administration of complaints relating
to human rights violations will be dealt by
the two full-time commissioners. Sensitive
cases will be dealt by all Commissioners
during a special meeting called for that
purpose.
The Secretary and directors will perform
day-to-day activities under the guidance
of the two full-time Commissioners.
National Human Rights Commission (JAMAKON)
Annual Report 2014
61