Brasília, 6/29/2004(Agência Brasil) – Today the IX National Conference on Human Rights (IX Conferência Nacional dos Direitos Humanos) begins in Brasilia. At the top of the agenda is a nationwide system for dealing with the issue of human rights (Sistema Nacional de Direitos Humanos) (SINADH). The challenges of implementing such a system, renewing partnerships with the private sector and setting up communication channels for human rights violation warnings are among the topics to be discussed by the 580 delegates from 26 states and the Federal District.

The idea is for the SINADH to embrace all levels of government and society so as to ensure the protection of rights. That will require independent ombudsmen in the police, strengthening public defense agencies and councils thoroughout the government.

This conference is the first to be sponsored jointly by the executive branch, through its Special Secretariat for Human Rights, with the Chamber of Deputies' Human Rights Commission and the NGO, National Forum for Human Rights (a civil society umbrella organization).

The eight prior conferences were sponsored by the Chamber of Deputies and civil society organizations. Another change in the conference this year is that it will have its final proposals implemented as governmental policy.

(Translator: Allen Bennett)