A/HRC/13/44 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 15 January 2010 Original: English Human Rights Council Thirteenth session Agenda item 2 Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights Report of the Secretary-General* ** Summary The present report is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council decision 2/102, in which the Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue with the fulfilment of her activities, in accordance with all previous decisions adopted by the Commission on Human Rights and to update the relevant reports and studies. The report, which covers the period from January to December 2009, contains information on the activities undertaken by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to establish and strengthen national human rights institutions (NHRIs), measures taken by Governments and NHRIs in this regard, and cooperation between NHRIs and international human rights mechanisms. Specifically, the report highlights the main achievements, challenges and priorities at the national level regarding the establishment and strengthening of NHRIs.1 The activities of NHRIs on thematic issues, such as peace and justice, human rights defenders, migration, business and human rights, rights of persons with disabilities and climate change, are also discussed.2 * Late submission. ** As the present report greatly exceeds word limitations currently allowed under relevant General 1 2 Assembly resolutions, the annexes are reproduced in the language of submission only. Additional information on initiatives and assistance provided to NHRIs may be found in the report of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly (A/64/320). Relevant documents are posted on www.nhri.net. GE.10-10269 (E) 100210