How to Write an Effective Shadow Report

Wednesday, July 24, 2013. 3:00 PM EST

MISSION: The US Human Rights Network is a national network of organizations and individuals working to build and strengthen a people-centered human rights movement in the United States, where leadership is centered on the most directly affected by human rights violations, and the full range of diversity within communities is respected and embraced.

Jamil Dakwar: ACLU

Amy Bergquist: Advocates for Human Rights

Colette Pichon Battle: Gulf Coast Center for Law and Policy

Presenters

◦ Update on the Review Process & Synopsis of U.S. Reply

◦ 10 Steps to Writing a Shadow Report

◦ Audience Q&A

◦ Next Steps in the Process and Available Resources

Agenda

10 Steps to Writing a Shadow Report

July 24, 2013Amy Bergquist

The Advocates for Human RightsColette Pichon Battle

Gulf Coast Center for Law & Policy

10 steps◦ Set the stage (1-4)◦ Plan and gather information (5-7)◦ Implement (8-10)

“Case study” Questions

Overview

Step 1: Identify Your Expertise

Your issues Your advocacy

goals Your resources

◦ Who can help?◦ What can they do?

Enlist people to help as soon as you can.

Image source: scpr.org

Step 2: Identify Allies

Allied organizations or experts◦ collaborate◦ “sign on”

Other allies (networks, research institutions)◦ Information, tactical

tips Power in numbers

Step 3: Identify the Rights

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights◦ Relevant articles◦ “Each State Party … undertakes

to … ensure … the rights recognized in the present Covenant, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. ” (art. 2(1))

Step 4: Review ICCPR Process Read up on what

has happened so far as it relates to these rights:◦ outcome of the last

review◦ US Government

report◦ list of issues◦ US Government

response

Step 5: Clarify Your Role You can shed more

light on these rights and related issues:◦ on-the-ground

information◦ first-hand accounts◦ reports◦ specialized

knowledge◦ other information

Step 6: Set Goals Committee’s in-

person review with the U.S. Government delegation in October 2013◦ questions◦ concluding

observations◦ recommendations

Step 7: Make & Implement a Work Plan Connect Steps 5 &

6 Gather information

◦ sources◦ credibility and

relevance Plan to use the

report beyond the UN review

Step 8: Write the Report

Set up a writing team Take information from

Steps 3, 4, and 7 Template Incorporate proposed

questions and recommendations (Step 6)

No “abusive” language

Step 9: Finalize and Submit Report Due to the

Committee Sept. 13, 2013

Optional:◦ Get stakeholder input

before you submit.◦ Recruit “sign-ons.”◦ Submit to USHRN by

Aug. 23, 2013 to be included in compilation.

Step 10: Advocate

In the UN review◦ Advocacy with the

Committee◦ Follow-up during the October

process◦ Advocacy for implementation

of recommendations Promoting longer-term

social justice◦ Report as a tool for

education and outreach

Questions?

NGO Shadow Report Clustering Chart

ICCPR Shadow Reporting Template

Other Online Resources-www.ushrnetwork.org/iccpr-newsletter-3

Now What?: Next Steps

NGO Shadow Report Clustering Chart

ICCPR Shadow Report Template

Visit us at: www.ushrnetwork.org/iccpr-newsletter-3To find:

◦ NGO Shadow Report Clustering Chart◦ Shadow Report Template◦ U.S. Reply to the List of Issues◦ Current and Past US Periodic Reports and

Concluding Observations◦ Past Training Call Audios◦ ICCPR Taskforce Work Plan◦ Much More

Other ICCPR Resources

Thank You!Visit our website to learn more about the Network:www.ushrnetwork.org

Visit our ICCPR newsletter page for all the resources discussed on the call and more:www.ushrnetwork.org/iccpr-newsletter-3

Email us at iccpr@ushrnetwork.org with any ICCPR-related questions or issues.

Consider becoming a member of the Network:http://www.ushrnetwork.org/join-movement