A/HRC/13/45 3.2. Sri Lanka: Human Rights Commission (SLHRC) Recommendation: After reviewing the information provided by the SLHRC, the SubCommittee recommends that its B Status be maintained. It encourages the SLHRC to submit a complete accreditation application for a future session. The Sub-Committee (“SCA”) notes the following: • It observes that new SLHRC members are due to be appointed in April 2009. While recognising that the Constitutional Council may not be constituted at this time to make recommendations on appointments as provided for in the SLHRC’s legislation, the SCA nevertheless stresses the need for a transparent and consultative selection process in practice. The SCA strongly encourages the SLHRC to engage with the government to ensure the adoption of such a process. The SCA refers to General Observation 2.2 “Selection and Appointment of the Governing Body”. • It expresses its concern that the SLHRC does not appear to have released regular and detailed reports or statements in relation to killings, abductions and disappearances stemming from the human rights crisis in Sri Lanka. While the SCA acknowledges the work of the SLHRC’s regional offices in extremely difficult circumstances, it reemphasises the need for the SLHRC to carry out its core protection mandate to demonstrate its vigilance and independence during the ongoing state of emergency. • It commends the SLHRC on its concrete efforts to implement a regular consultation mechanism with civil society organisations in line with the ICC recommendation on the same. However, the SCA notes that consultation so far has been described as selective. The SCA emphasises that engagement with civil society must be broad based, to ensure the pluralistic representation of social forces as required by the Paris Principles. • It welcomes the publication of the 2006–07 Annual Report in line with the ICC recommendation on the same, but notes that the report provides insufficient information to assess the ongoing work of the SLHRC and appears to be only available in English. The SCA refers to General Observation 6.7 “NHRI Annual Report”. • It further notes that the Tamil and Sinhala sections of the SLHRC website are not functioning. The SCA highlights the importance of ensuring that the SLHRC is accessible to all groups in society. The Sub-Committee encourages the SLHRC to seek advice and assistance from OHCHR and the regional network of NHRIs. 3.3. Switzerland: Commission fédérale pour les questions féminines (CFQF) Recommendation: The Sub-Committee recommends that the CFQF be accredited with status C. The Sub-Committee (“SCA”) notes: • The mandate of the CFQF largely focuses on research and investigation of the status of women’s rights in Switzerland. It refers to General Observation 1.2 “Human Rights mandate” and stresses the importance that NHRIs be endowed with a broad human rights mandate. • Appointment of members is largely done based on nominations from Government authorities and social organizations. The SCA refers to General Observation 2.2 “Selection and appointment of the governing body” and emphasizes the importance that the selection and appointment process involves; a transparent process; broad consultation through the selection and appointment process; advertising vacancies 20 GE.10-10278