Paris Principles
UN General AssemblyNational Human Rights Institutions (NHRI) are bodies established by countries under their national legislation or under their constitutions to promote and protect human rights. NHRIs have responsibility for promoting and monitoring the effective implementation of international human rights standards at the national level.
The role and functions of NHRIs are set out in the United Nations Paris Principles which list the requirements for independence and the broad mandate of NHRIs. They are internationally recognised standards adopted by the UN General Assembly.
NHRIs are assessed on the basis of the Paris Principles by the International Coordinating Committee of NHRIs (ICC) sub-Committee on Accreditation. The sub-Committee comprises one representative from each of the 4 regions of the ICC: Africa, Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. The sub-Committee reviews the NHRI in accordance with the criteria set out in the Paris Principles and makes recommendations to the ICC on the compliance of that NHRI with the Paris Principles. On the basis of this assessment, the ICC gives each NHRI a status. 'A' Status means that the NHRI is fully in compliance with the Paris Principles.The sub-Committee has elaborated on the Paris Principles, through General Observations.These are a recognised interprtation of the Paris Principles and inform the Accreditation process.
'A' Status NHRIs are recognised by the United Nations Human Rights Council, and may make statements or submit documents to the Council.
NHRIs also interact with UN Treaty Bodies which are the independent bodies of experts who supervise countries' compliance with the United Nations core treaties.
States which sign up to a UN treaty agree to be periodically assessed for their compliance with the rights set out in that treaty. NHRIs have a role in providing the Treaty Bodies with an independent 'shadow' report and presenting this report to the Treaty Body itself.