A/HRC/23/28 27. The recommendations of the Subcommittee on Accreditation help to enhance the independence and effectiveness of the national human rights institutions under review, which in turn strengthen national human rights protection systems. States and other stakeholders, including United Nations agencies, are encouraged to assist national human rights institutions in implementing these recommendations. 28. With the enhanced role of “A” status national human rights institutions in the proceedings of the Human Rights Council,1 the Subcommittee on Accreditation is more vigilant and rigorous in granting “A” status to ensure that only those institutions fully compliant with the Paris Principles may make use of the benefits currently accorded to “A” institutions in their interaction with Council mechanisms, namely, the universal periodic review process and the special procedures. 29. To assess efficiency and compliance with the Paris Principles in both legislation and practice, the Subcommittee on Accreditation invites informed stakeholders, including civil society organizations, to participate actively by providing their views on the functioning of the national human rights institutions under review. 30. The steps taken by the International Coordinating Committee to expedite the revision of the accreditation status of national human rights institutions in cases where exceptional circumstances arise and affect the independence and performance of institutions are welcomed. This improvement in the accreditation process will encourage national institutions to continue to fulfil their mandate effectively, for instance in the event of coup d’état or state of emergency. 31. The Subcommittee on Accreditation emphasizes the need for national human rights institutions to have a broad mandate to promote and protect all human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights. States are required to provide institutions with a mandate, including the promotion and protection of all rights as set out in international and regional instruments. 32. The Subcommittee on Accreditation attaches key importance to the transparent and open appointment of members of national human rights institutions, with the broad participation of relevant stakeholders, including civil society organizations. States are required to ensure the openness and transparency of the appointment process. 33. The Subcommittee on Accreditation encourages national human rights institutions to report regularly on their activities, as well as on the human rights situation in their respective country, and to ensure that such reports are broadly disseminated among the public. 34. The review of the general observations made by the Subcommittee on Accreditation is welcomed, since these observations are in fact a tool for the progressive interpretation of the Paris Principles. The development of additional general observations, namely, on national human rights institutions serving as national monitoring and preventive mechanisms, on the quasi-judicial competency of institutions, and on assessing their performance, is welcomed. 35. In view of the compulsory budget cuts caused by reductions in funding, the capacity of OHCHR to contribute to the establishment of national human rights institutions or assessing their compliance with the Paris Principles is affected, including specifically the support given by OHCHR to the International Coordinating Committee and its Subcommittee on Accreditation. Member States are therefore urged to ensure by their financial contribution the continuation of efficient and highquality servicing of the Subcommittee. 8