Universal-Womens-accesss-to-justice-Publications-Practitioners-Guide-Series-2016-ENG

12 PRACTITIONERS GUIDE No. 12
case where a woman is at immediate risk of
violence. 14
The use of international human rights law, standards,
jurisprudence and recommendations from individual
cases in processes that can change domestic law and
practice.
‣ For example, through parliamentary advocacy to
reform laws and the development of police or
prosecutors’ policies and procedures.
‣ It is particularly important to draw attention to the
judgments and recommendations of treaty bodies
and regional human rights procedures to these
processes in order to show the manner in which
other jurisdictions have addressed the issue.
Securing information and developing analysis of existing
law and practice.
‣ Complete data on gender-based violence and
women’s access to justice is often lacking.
Gathering such data is an important part of the
State obligation to prevent and remedy violence
14
See “Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council” on the
website of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
which outlines the role of the Special Procedures (which include
Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups). The
relevant webpage explains that: “With the support of the Office of the
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), special
procedures undertake country visits; act on individual cases and
concerns of a broader, structural nature by sending communications to
States and others in which they bring alleged violations or abuses to
their attention; conduct thematic studies and convene expert
consultations, contribute to the development of international human
rights standards, engage in advocacy, raise public awareness, and
provide advice for technical cooperation”: see URL
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/Pages/Welcomepage.aspx.