Minority rights focus in the United Nations 13 OHCHR work in the field Over the years, OHCHR has increased its presence in the field, which is coordinated by FOTCD (see fig. II). FOTCD comprises five geographic teams which ensure country expertise and, among other activities, support the country mandates of special procedures (see chap. IV). The teams also serve as entry points to OHCHR for both its own offices and civil society within particular countries. Desk officers, each responsible for a number of countries in a region, are important contacts for minority advocates. Their roles include supporting the mainstreaming of human rights (including minority rights) in the Common Country Assessment/United Nations Development Assistance Frameworks (CCA/UNDAFs); providing information to treaty bodies and special procedures on the human rights situation (including that of minorities) in the countries for which they have responsibility; collecting and analysing such information and preparing relevant reports; assisting in transmitting and processing individual cases of alleged violations under thematic mechanisms; assisting in the adaptation of materials related to human rights education in the countries concerned; and maintaining an awareness of human rights educational and information activities. FOTCD desk officers are the main source of information and advice on country-specific work for minority advocates, while minority advocates are an invaluable source of information for desk officers. Desk officers can also help minority advocates connect with the other parts of OHCHR, both at headquarters and in the field. FOTCD and field presences maintain regular contact with civil society organizations, including those working on minority issues, in order to better understand the human rights situation in a country or region and ensure that communication and consultation mechanisms between Government bodies and minority groups are in place. Minority advocates are encouraged to contact the geographic sections of FOTCD and to maintain regular contact with the desk officer for the country of interest. The National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Section in FOTCD is another important contact point as it facilitates partnership between civil society, national human rights institutions and other relevant actors to advance the promotion and protection of human rights at country level. It is through its field presences that OHCHR can most directly contribute to addressing human rights violations and issues. Work in the field allows OHCHR to better understand human rights issues and to establish direct and continuous dialogue and partnership with all relevant actors – Government counterparts, national institutions, civil society, the United Nations system and regional organizations – with a view to improving the human rights situation. On this basis, OHCHR can develop and implement technical cooperation programmes which are adapted to the needs of: • National authorities, so they are aware of their human rights obligations and can design effective remedies to overcome obstacles to the realization of human rights; • Rights holders, so they are better protected; • Government officials and civil society, to increase their capacity to address human rights concerns. The work of OHCHR at the country level is aimed at preventing, reducing and addressing human rights violations through dialogue with the authorities and other relevant counterparts, and through strengthening the national human rights protection systems. Thus, OHCHR assists efforts to harmonize national legislation and practice with States’ international obligations under international human rights law, and advises on the establishment and functioning of independent national human rights institutions. It also works with and provides