Successive steps
- Elaboration Process
- Monitoring of the drafting of the official report
- Link with multiple players
- Presentation in the mass media
- Participation in the pre-session
- Monitoring of the presentation of the Mexican government
- Circulation of the report and information of public opinion
- Evaluation
Presentation in the mass media
Press conference in April 2006 to communicate on the participation of civil organisations in the presentation of the Mexican government’s official report during the sessions of the UN Committee on ESC rights.
Delivery of the parallel report to journalists and opinion leaders.
Participation in the pre-session
At the beginning of the period of Committee sessions, a couple of days should be devoted to meet with civil society organisations (CSOs) of countries whose reports are to be submitted to the Committee. Participation in the process with the support of organisations that have consultative status in the United Nations and are entitled to participate.
An initial integrated mission was prepared in Mexico with the participation, essentially, of the members of directly affected groups (1 representative from Parota, 1 representative from Chiapas and another participant with previous experience).
This team physically presented the parallel report (the electronic version had previously been sent to the coordinator of the Mexican group of experts).
Each member carried out a 15-minute presentation (it is important to focus on the most sensible aspects of the issue addressed).
Executive documents were handed over to the Committee.
Participation in the presentation of the mexican government’s report
A second mission of four members was carried out the day before the Mexican government’s presentation. Organisations in Geneva supported us by organising a short meeting with the group of Mexican experts (Mexican correspondents in Geneva were notified thereof).
The Promotion Group’s questions and suggested propositions only were submitted.
During the presentation
- A permanent communication was maintained with the Promotion Group’s organisations in Mexico to provide them with relevant information from the group of experts (the traffic of human beings for example).
- Meetings with Mexican correspondents in Geneva were solicited.
- A dialogue was set up with Committee members before starting the sessions, during breaks and at the end of the first day (lobbying).
- Sheets about the issues that were presented by state’s officials were delivered to the experts.
During the presentation, the Committee extended “strong” observations and comments to the Mexican government, although it valued the fact that the latter was showing a very self-critical attitude.
At last, the Mexican government, through the secretary of external relations’ representatives, committed to strengthen the dialogue with civil society.
Circulation of the report and information of public opinion
- A press conference was again organised upon the second mission’s return.
- A popular version of the recommendations and observations issued by the Committee on ESC rights was elaborated.
- A publication was issued along with the parallel report.
- A publication was elaborated with documented cases.
Evaluation
We consider the fact of having created a single large Promotion Group of national dimension as a significant progress.
Organisations contributed in a complementary manner: while some worked more within the framework of the political process, some others were tasked to draft the report; all initiatives coincided in key moments (when the Mexican government, for example, invited us to draft a report in collaboration with them).
The link with TRADE UNIONS and farmer organisations was missing.
The issues we raised were taken into account, but we consider that recommendations formulated in 1999 insisted more on public policies that the Mexican government should encourage.
We have started a dialogue with the legislative power with the aim of having the Mexican state and not only the executive power act upon the said recommendations.
