Institutional Agreement for Co-Operation between the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Andean Commission of Jurists

Given that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (hereinafter referred to as "the UNHCR") and the Andean Commission of Jurists (hereinafter referred to as "the Commission") have a common interest in the promotion of the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, as well as in education, research, training and technical co-operation in the field of the rights of refugees and human rights of internally displaced persons;

Given that the UNHCR and the Commission are aware that the promotion of the rights of refugees and human rights of internally displaced persons is an essential factor in the consolidation of democracy and respect of the individual rights of persons; and

Given that to attain these objectives, the UNHCR and the Commission must collaborate in fields of common interest involving the countries that make up the Andean region (Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela);

the Parties agree to the following Institutional Agreement for Co-operation:

1. Scope of the Co-operation

The Parties shall collaborate to promote the acceptance and application of the international and regional principles and standards that govern the rights of refugees and human rights of internally displaced persons in the countries that make up the Andean region. To this end, the UNHCR through its regional representatives and the Commission shall establish specific projects for co-operation within the framework of the present Agreement.

2. Technical Assistance and Training

The Parties shall collaborate, conceive and implement projects for research, promotion and training in matters pertaining to principles, standards and mechanisms relating the international protection of the rights of refugees and the human rights of internally displaced persons in the territories covered by the present Agreement.

To this end, the Parties shall subscribe to specific agreements for co-operation, agree jointly as to the budget and sources of external of internal funding for each project. Thus, whenever the Parties feel that it is necessary, they may sign tripartite sub-agreements with governments of competent institutions of the countries covered by the present Agreement.

In as much as possible, the UNHCR shall facilitate the participation of its officials in courses and workshops on the United Nations' system for the protection of refugees within the framework of the periodical training sessions organised by the Commission.

The Parties shall meet regularly in order to determine new co-operation projects as well as to monitor the ongoing activities undertaken under the present Agreement.

3. Additional Provisions

The Parties shall exchange any relevant and pubic information and documentation that they may have for the good progress and implementation of the present Agreement.

The Parties shall therefore commit themselves to carry out in good faith the provisions indicated above as well as those freely agreed upon in the context of specific projects in technical co-operation in the Andean region.

Two months after the signing of the present Agreement, the Parties shall jointly elaborate the specific projects in implementation of its provisions.

The Parties shall agree that the provisions of the present Agreement may be amended through a simple exchange of letters or as a result of previously held consultations.

The present Agreement shall enter into force as of the date of the signature of the official representatives of both Parties. The Agreement shall be valid and renewable annually unless there is an indication in writing to the contrary from any one of the Parties three months prior to its annual expiration.

Done in Geneva,
1 October 1998.