ANNEX 1 . 109 MI 9.7 Analysis Source document UNRWA’s effects on improving human rights through its interventions are not systematically considered in evaluations. Where discussed, human rights are framed in terms of UNRWA’s attention to protection and disability considerations (e.g. differentiation of assistance for marginalized populations) finding mixed results in three evaluations. The Evaluation of the Gender Initiative assesses UNRWA’s approach in balancing international human rights norms with the Islamic framework. • The Evaluation of the Gender Initiative finds that UNRWA’s approach to human rights reports that the programme included information on women’s rights both in the Human Rights / CEDAW framework and in the Islamic framework (including Sharia law). The approach was found to “strike the balance” between the UN commitment to Human Rights and the UN commitment to the respect of local values and cultures • Positive contributions to considering the specific rights of vulnerable groups are found in the Evaluation of the Transition to e-Cards where there had been some differentiation of assistance for marginalized populations and increase attention to protection and people with disabilities. • The Evaluation of UNRWA Engaging Youth Project and the Evaluation of Replacing Rented Schools at Jabal Al Taj find that the interventions are not sensitive to special needs requirements. UNRWA’s management results report evidence of programming that helps to improve human rights. Examples of UNRWA’s work to improve human rights include: • “Effective engagement with the international human rights system (IHRS) to advance the protection of the human rights of Palestine refugees with 18 submissions and briefings to Special Rapporteurs and 9, 61, 63, 66, 77, 89, 133, 141, 142 inputs to reports on international human rights instruments. UNRWA also provided information on Agency services contributing to the enjoyment of rights in relation to the initial State party reports of the State of Palestine”. • Formal establishment of the UNRWA headquarters Protection Division in January 2016, coupled with the continued institution of dedicated protection teams in all Agency fields of operation and the development of a new gender equality strategy for 2016-21 and child protection framework, served as important milestones. • Raising concerns about alleged violations of international law and compliance both in writing and, on some occasions, in-person briefings with related international standards with five relevant treaty bodies and UN human rights special procedure processes to address the rights and protection needs of Palestine refugees. UNRWA had 17 such engagements in 2017 and 16 in 2018 and reported high take up of UNRWA-addressed issues by the relevant mechanisms. The sustained high level of engagement occurred, despite serious financial and other pressures on the Agency, as part of a well-established system created in 2011. UNRWA has a systemised approach to translating international human rights and other international legal standards and analysis of possible violations of international law affecting Palestine refugees into protection bilateral and public advocacy on key issues, identified collectively within the Agency as ‘international protection’ work. MI 9.7 Evidence confidence High confidence