A/HRC/13/44
Annex IV
Survey on national human rights institutions
Summary of the recommendations of a questionnaire addressed to
national human rights institutions worldwide
Recommendation: OHCHR, UNDP, RCCs of NHRIs, and interested donors,
should support NHRIs to prioritize advocacy with their government for the revision and
strengthening of the legal framework of those NHRIs established by an executive
instrument. Recommendations from United Nations treaty bodies, the SPMHs, and the UPR
in the Human Rights Council, as well as the ICC Sub-Committee on Accreditation may all
support the expansion of the mandate of NHRIs.
Recommendation: OHCHR, UNDP, RCCs of NHRIs, and interested donors,
should support activities that explore and gather best practice on the types of legal
provisions (e.g. membership criteria, appointment processes) ensure the governing body is
effective and diverse in practice. Data on other mechanisms of ensuring pluralism within an
institution, beyond the composition of its governing body, would also be useful.
Recommendation: OHCHR, UNDP, RCCs of NHRIs, interested donors, should
support NHRIs to prioritize advocacy with governments for the revision and strengthening
of procedural requirements for the selection and appointment of members.
Recommendation: as the ICC’s General Observations state that dismissal or forced
resignation of a member may result in a review of the institution’s accreditation,
strengthening legal requirements for dismissal (building on the best practice examples
provided by respondents) should be a priority. OHCHR, UNDP, RCCs of NHRIs, and
interested donors should support NHRIs in securing such legal requirements.
Recommendation: OHCHR, UNDP, RCCs of NHRIs, and interested donors,
should prioritize activities to develop the capacity of NHRIs to effectively manage the
relationship with their relevant government department, including in budget allocation. In
addition, they could also prioritize continued advocacy with member States to ensure they
meet their obligation to provide adequate resources.
Recommendation: OHCHR, UNDP, RCCs of NHRIs, and interested donors,
should prioritize further training and capacity development for NHRI staff across all levels.
They should also prioritize support for institutions to develop human resource plans to
increase staff effectiveness, career development and diversity.
Recommendation: OHCHR, UNDP, RCCs of NHRIs, and interested donors should
prioritize support to institutions to improve their accessibility, with a particular focus on
reaching out to vulnerable groups.
Recommendation: OHCHR, UNDP, RCCs of NHRIs, and interested donors should
prioritize work with NHRIs, in the framework of the Nairobi Declaration, to effectively
implement their core protection functions, particularly in detention monitoring. Follow-up
research with NHRIs to collect best practice on collaboration and coordination with other
visiting bodies is also important to explore, to address any potential protection gaps.
Recommendation: OHCHR, UNDP, RCCs of NHRIs, and interested donors,
should prioritize further guidance to NHRIs in relation to their activities for human rights
defenders, including by systematically collecting and disseminating examples of best
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GE.10-10269
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