A/HRC/7/69 page 56 Annex X DISCUSSION PAPER ON INTERACTION BETWEEN NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS AND SPECIAL PROCEDURES The purpose of this document is to identify areas for strengthened interaction between national human rights institutions (NHRIs) and Special Procedures (SPs) of the Human Rights Council (especially those NHRIs which are fully compliant with the Paris Principles, i.e. with A-status ICC accreditationa). NHRIs and SPs have much to gain from each other in performing their responsibilities for the promotion and protection of human rights.b At the 12th annual meeting of SP mandate holders (Geneva, 21-25 June 2005), the need was recognized to strengthen follow-up to SP recommendations and to enhance their impact at the country level. Strengthened cooperation between SPs and NIs in these and other areas can make an important contribution to the effectiveness of both SPs and NIs, and to the effective realisation of human rights for people everywhere. The potential for successful cooperation between NHRIs and SPs has recently also been acknowledged by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Louise Arbour, when she addressed the 19th annual meeting of the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights on 21 March 2007. She mentioned that NHRIs take a pivotal position at the national level as the key-stone of a strong national human rights protection system. Moreover, she expressed her conviction that NIs are the best relay mechanism at country level to ensure the application of international human rights norms, and specifically mentioned the Special Procedures in this regard. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Danish Institute for Human Rights, the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Kyung-wha Kang, also reiterated this on 3 May 2007 when stating that NHRIs are key dialogue partners to Special Procedure mandate holders, contributing to the preparation, implementation and follow up action to country visits. The important and mutually reinforcing role of NHRIs and SPs has been already acknowledged in several fora. The Annex to this paper lists areas for strengthened cooperation building on existing practices. a The International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights has an accreditation procedure through which NHRIs are examined on their compliance with the international standards for NHRIs, the Paris Principles. Those NHRIs deemed to be in full compliance with the Paris Principles receive an A-status accreditation. b NHRIs in this document refer to those national institutions with a constitutional or legislative mandate to protect and/or promote human rights.