A/HRC/7/69 page 5 Introduction 1. The present report is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council decision 2/102 of 6 October 2006, requesting 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 present update outlines progress achieved since the last report of the Secretary-General to the Human Rights Council on national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (A/HRC/4/91). I. THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS 2. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) accords priority to the establishment and strengthening of NHRIs with due regard to the Principles relating to the status of national institutions (the Paris Principles; General Assembly resolution 48/134 of 20 December 1993, annex). OHCHR is also engaged in improving United Nations system-wide coordination on the work of NHRIs, and supports increased participation of NHRIs in the United Nations human rights system. OHCHR encourages the sharing of good practices among NHRIs, supports the strengthening of their regional networks and facilitates their access to United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs) and other relevant partners within and outside the United Nations system. 3. During the reporting period, OHCHR has sought, through a wide range of activities, to heighten its commitment to supporting the building of strong NHRIs and to increasing the effectiveness of regional coordinating bodies of NHRIs. In addition, the National Institutions Unit (NIU) of OHCHR has established a fellowship programme and issued a call for candidates in 2007. Through this programme, one “A status” NHRI staff member will be selected to work in the NIU for six months in order to gain knowledge of and experience with the United Nations human rights system. This fellowship programme will be beneficial for OHCHR, both in terms of substantive expertise as well as through the consolidation of direct contacts with NHRI staff from the whole world. 4. Paris Principles compliant NHRIs stand out as partners who are central to national human rights protection systems and are important counterparts for OHCHR. They can play a crucial role in promoting and monitoring the effective implementation of international human rights standards at the national level; a role which is increasingly recognized by the international community. 5. This role was highlighted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights at the opening of the nineteenth session of the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (ICC) on 21 March 2007. The High Commissioner noted that NHRIs are instrumental in ensuring respect for the rule of law at the national level as well as in addressing critical human rights issues, such as summary executions, torture and arbitrary detention, as well as fighting against impunity.