A/HRC/20/10 IV. General observations 20. Since October 2006, the Subcommittee on Accreditation has developed general observations concerning accreditation. These interpretative tools were formulated on common or important issues regarding the Paris Principles and are intended to constitute guidance for Subcommittee members on the process of accreditation and on the implementation of the Paris Principles. The general observations may be used: (a) To instruct institutions when they are developing their own processes and mechanisms, to ensure compliance with the Paris Principles; (b) To persuade Governments to address or remedy issues relating to an institution’s compliance with the standards articulated in the general observations; (c) To guide the Subcommittee in its determination of new accreditation applications, re-accreditation applications or special reviews. 21. Until March 2009, Subcommittee on Accreditation had developed a set of general observations related to the establishment, mandate, composition, independence, competences and responsibilities of an NHRI, among others. In November 2009, the International Coordinating Committee Bureau made suggestions to improve the development and use of the general observations. During its March-April session in 2010, the Subcommittee decided to embark upon a review of the existing general observations. A decision paper was presented and adopted at the 24th annual meeting of the International Coordinating Committee, in May 2011. 22. The decision paper includes a number of recommendations aimed at in order to standardizing the process of developing and revising general observations, and to increase stakeholders’ outreach on the accreditation process and the use of general observations. The Subcommittee on Accreditation has been requested by the Committee: (a) To establish formal communications channels with Regional Chairpersons and Regional Coordinating Networks to ensure members are aware of, and are able to provide input in drafting, general observations at the initial stage; (b) To include greater information on the justification and application of a General Observation, taking into account the different institutional models and political systems, where appropriate; (c) To adopt procedures that facilitate the timely development of general observations and undertake a review of the existing ones, with due regard to enhancing their comprehensibility, relevance and clarity; (d) To develop its outreach and education strategies to enhance the understanding of how to make use of the accreditation process and the Subcommittee on Accreditation’s recommendations, including the general observations. V. Conclusions and recommendations 23. The number of national human rights institution applications for accreditation continues to increase; this reflects the importance of the accreditation process in strengthening the independence and effectiveness of NHRIs which, ultimately, will result in strengthening national human rights protection systems. 24. The active participation of informed stakeholders in the accreditation process, such as that of the regional coordinating bodies of NHRIs as observers, as well as the growing interest of civil society organizations in providing information to 7