A/HRC/16/77 IV. General observations 18. Since October 2006, the Subcommittee on Accreditation has developed general observations concerning accreditation.2 These interpretative tools were formulated on common or important issues regarding the Paris Principles and are intended to constitute guidance for the Subcommittee with regard to the process for accreditation and the implementation of the Paris Principles. As noted in the decision paper adopted by the International Coordinating Committee at its twentieth session, the general observations 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. 19. In November 2009, the International Coordinating Committee Bureau made suggestions to improve the development and use of the general observations concerning accreditation. During its March-April session in 2010, the Subcommittee on Accreditation decided to embark on a review of the existing general observations. A consultation on the general observations was carried out among the International Coordinating Committee members and a draft decision on the review is to be presented at the International Coordinating Committee annual session in May 2011. 20. The Subcommittee on Accreditation is currently considering the development of general observations on: • NHRIs serving as national monitoring and preventive mechanisms • The quasi-judicial competencies of NHRIs • The performance of NHRIs V. Conclusions and recommendations 21. Informed stakeholders, such as the regional coordinating bodies of NHRIs, have participated more actively in the accreditation process, which has significantly increased the transparency of the process. 22. Tailored recommendations have been issued by the Subcommittee on Accreditation, based on reviews of NHRI applications for accreditation. The States and other stakeholders, including United Nations agencies, are called upon to join efforts and follow up on the recommendations of the Subcommittee to enable NHRIs to fully comply with the Paris Principles, both in law and in practice. 23. The Subcommittee on Accreditation has emphasized the need for allocation by States of adequate resources to NHRIs, in order to ensure the effective discharge of their mandates. In this regard, States are encouraged to provide NHRIs with sufficient funds to perform the functions set out in their mandates. 2 For a list of the general observations of the Subcommittee as of 2009, see A/HRC/13/45, annex IV. 7