A/HRC/20/9 18. Parliaments should hold open discussions on the recommendations issued by NHRIs. 19. Parliaments should seek information from the relevant public authorities on the extent to which the relevant public authorities have considered and responded to NHRIs recommendations. II. Forms of cooperation between parliaments and NHRIs 20. NHRIs and parliaments should agree the basis for cooperation, including by establishing a formal framework to discuss human rights issues of common interest. 21. Parliaments should identify or establish an appropriate parliamentary committee that will be the NHRI’s main point of contact within parliament. 22. NHRIs should develop a strong working relationship with the relevant specialized parliamentary committee including, if appropriate, through a memorandum of understanding. NHRIs and parliamentary committees should also develop formalized relationships where relevant to their work. 23. Members of the relevant specialized parliamentary committee and NHRI should meet regularly and maintain a constant dialogue, in order to strengthen the interchange of information and identify areas of possible collaboration in the protection and promotion of human rights. 24. Parliaments should ensure participation of NHRIs and seek their expert advice in relation to human rights during meetings and proceedings of various parliamentary committees. 25. NHRIs should advise and/or make recommendations to parliaments on issues related to human rights, including the State’s international human rights obligations. 26. NHRIs may provide information and advice to parliaments to assist in the exercise of their oversight and scrutiny functions. III. Cooperation between parliaments and NHRIs in relation to legislation 27. NHRIs should be consulted by Parliaments on the content and applicability of a proposed new law with respect to ensuring human rights norms and principles are reflected therein. 28. Parliaments should involve NHRIs in the legislative processes, including by inviting them to give evidence and advice about the human rights compatibility of proposed laws and policies. 29. NHRIs should make proposals of amendments to legislation where necessary, in order to harmonize domestic legislation with both national and international human rights standards. 30. NHRIs should work with parliaments to promote human rights by legislating to implement human rights obligations, recommendations of treaty bodies and human rights judgments of courts. 31. NHRIs should work with parliaments to develop effective human rights impact assessment processes of proposed laws and policies. 19