A/HRC/22/47 weaker areas of engagement for national human rights institutions”. According to the survey, only about 62 per cent of respondents had activities specifically designed for defenders. The importance of strengthening the capacity of national institutions in this area has already been highlighted.7 27. The Special Rapporteur intends to assess existing initiatives in this respect and provide recommendations to States and national institutions on how to protect defenders more effectively. To this end, the Special Rapporteur sent questionnaires to States, national institutions and human rights defenders. She is very grateful for the large number of responses received and would like to thank all stakeholders for their time and interest. Responses to the questionnaires can be consulted in their entirety as received on the website of the mandate.8 Examples highlighted in chapters III and IV are largely taken from the responses to the questionnaire and referenced specifically only when they are documented elsewhere. B. The Paris Principles and beyond 28. The Paris Principles (1991) are a set of minimum standards that national institutions, regardless of their structure and mandate, should respect. They are now broadly accepted as benchmarks for the accreditation of national institutions and a litmus test of an institution’s legitimacy.9 29. The network of national institutions was formally established in 1993 as the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (ICC). ICC, through its Bureau, coordinates the activities of the national institutions, accredits its members and assists them in various ways, including by recommending the provision of technical assistance. 30. ICC has four Regional Coordinating Committees representing and supporting national institutions at the regional level. They are responsible for nominating members to the Bureau as well as to the positions of Chairperson and Secretary of ICC. A representative of each regional network, known as Regional Coordinator, acts as the regional focal point on the Bureau and works closely with the Chairperson in the implementation of decisions. 31. The Paris Principles require that national institutions work in the promotion and protection of human rights, including by receiving and investigating complaints, mediating in conflicts, and raising awareness about human rights. The Paris Principles establish six main criteria for fully functioning national institutions, that is, broad mandate and competence; autonomy from Government in their functioning and methods of operation; independence, which should be enshrined by law or in the Constitution; pluralism through membership or cooperation; adequate financial, material and human resources; and adequate powers of investigation. 32. The Paris Principles also acknowledge the importance of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in “expanding the work of the national institution” and encourage national institutions to establish relations with civil society. This interaction can assist 7 8 9 OHCHR, National Human Rights Institutions: History, Principles, Roles and Responsibilities, Professional Training Series, No. 4 (Rev.1) (2010), p. 23. http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/SRHRDefenders/Pages/SRHRDefendersIndex.aspx National Human Rights Institutions (see note 7 above), chap. III. 7