A/HRC/13/45 NHRIs are designated as national preventive mechanisms under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Torture. IV. General observations 15. Following the practice initiated at its meeting in October 2006, the Subcommittee on Accreditation continued to develop general observations concerning accreditation. The general observations have been formulated on common or important interpretative issues regarding the Paris Principles and are intended to constitute guidance for members on the process for accreditation and on the implementation of the Paris Principles. As highlighted in the decision paper adopted by the International Coordinating Committee at its twentieth session, the general observations, as interpretive tools of the Paris Principles, may be used to: (a) Instruct institutions when they are developing their own processes and mechanisms, to ensure compliance with the Paris Principles; (b) Persuade domestic governments to address or remedy issues relating to an institution’s compliance with the standards articulated in the general observations; (c) Guide the Subcommittee on Accreditation in its determination of new accreditation applications, re-accreditation applications or special reviews. V. Conclusions and recommendations 16. The Secretary-General acknowledges that the accreditation process carried out by the Subcommittee on Accreditation of the International Coordinating Committee, with the support of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, is a dynamic process, and expresses appreciation for its increasing rigorousness, fairness and transparency. The Secretary-General also stresses the importance of this process in strengthening the independence and effectiveness of national human rights institutions which, ultimately, will result in strengthening the national human rights protection system. 17. The Secretary-General notes that following the suspension of the Asia-Pacific Forum’s separate accreditation process, the accreditation rules of the International Coordinating Committee for membership currently apply universally to all NHRIs. The Secretary-General appreciates that this brings greater consistency in the accreditation process and ensures uniformity in the accreditation system. 18. The Secretary-General notes with satisfaction that the number of NHRIs accredited continues to rise and that all A-status institutions have now been reviewed, and notes that a new cycle will commence in 2010. The Secretary-General also welcomes the policy of periodically revising all B-status institutions as well, to encourage and assist them in enhancing their compliance with the international standards. The Secretary-General appreciates that the Subcommittee on Accreditation’s rigorous process is intended to give NHRIs support for petitioning their respective Governments for any needed statutory changes; while special review is meant to give an NHRI the chance to improve its performance in line with the Paris Principles. 19. The Secretary-General acknowledges the increased participation of informed stakeholders in the process, such as the regional coordinating bodies of NHRIs as observers, as well as the growing interest of civil society organizations. This can 6 GE.10-10278