This document provides information about National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs). It discusses the historical background of NHRIs, including key events from 1946-1993 that led to the establishment of the Paris Principles for NHRIs. The document also outlines the mandate of NHRIs, which includes promoting and protecting human rights, and discusses some of the challenges and opportunities they face in fulfilling this mandate. In conclusion, it summarizes that NHRIs are independent domestic bodies established to promote and protect human rights in accordance with the Paris Principles.

1. NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS
INSTITUTIONS
PRESENTERS:
Ganizani Nkhambule

2. Historical Background The Mandate of
NHRI
Conclusion
Challenges
01
05
02 03
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
04
Opportunities to enhance Future
Protection

3. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
 National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) have been recognized at the
international level as actors for the promotion and protection of human rights
since 1946.
 Throughout the next three decades the United Nations and some of its affiliated
organizations prepared a series of reports on the feasibility of national
institutions as instruments for protection and promotion of human rights.
 These reports culminated in the UN International Workshop on National
Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, held in Paris in
1991.
 The workshop led to the drafting of guiding principles – popularly known as the
“Paris Principles” – that were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly
in 1993 at Vienna World Conference on Human Rights.

4. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND CONT…
 When NHRIs met in Tunis for their second international
workshop, they decided to establish the Global Alliance of
National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), previously known
as the International Coordinating Committee of institutions for
the promotion and protection of human rights (ICC).
 Since then, the UN General Assembly has adopted numerous
resolutions calling for the strengthening of NHRIs
 Today, the UN strongly encourages all States to establish or
strengthen an NHRI in compliance with the Paris Principles.

6. THE PARIS PRINCIPLES
 The Paris Principles set out the main criteria that NHRIs are required to
meet:
 Establishment under primary law or the Constitution
 A broad mandate to promote and protect human rights
 Formal and functional independence
 Pluralism, representing all aspects of society
 Adequate resources and financial autonomy
 Freedom to address any human rights issue arising
 Annual reporting on the national human rights situation
 Cooperation with national and international actors, including civil
society

7. WHAT ARE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS?
 National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) are state-
mandated bodies, independent of government, with a broad
constitutional or legal mandate to protect and promote
human rights at the national level.
 NHRIs address the full range of human rights, including
civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.
 They are established by constitution or statute - that is, by
law - to promote and protect human rights and to hold
governments to account for their human rights obligations.

8. THE ACCREDITATION OF NHRIs IN THE WORLD

9. THE MANDATE OF THE NHRIs
NHRIs have two core
responsibilities

10. HUMAN RIGHTS PROMOTION
 Advising on the compliance of national laws and practices with all
international human rights norm;
 Advising government, parliament and other public bodies to
address core human rights concerns, as well as to eradicate all
forms of discrimination
 Promoting a culture of rights, through training and awareness
raising activities on a variety of issues;
 Publishing research, recommendations and opinions.

11. HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION
 Monitoring and investigating the human rights situation on
the ground;
 Some NHRIs provide support for individuals to enforce their
rights through complaints handling;
 Providing support for individuals to enforce their rights
through legal assistance;
 Supporting the work of Human Rights Defenders to combat
issues related to all areas of human rights.

12. CHALLENGES FACING NHRIs
 The lack of political will and support from the
government, the judiciary, the parliament, and
other state actors, which may undermine their
independence, effectiveness, and credibility.
 The influence of the military, security forces,
armed groups, or other non-state actors, which
may threaten their safety, security, and
autonomy.
 The fragmentation and polarization of civil
society, which may limit their cooperation,
coordination, and representation of diverse
groups and interests.
 The diversity of victims' needs and expectations,
which may pose challenges for prioritizing,
addressing, and satisfying their demands for
truth, justice, reparation, and non-recurrence.
 The limited resources and capacity, which may
constrain their ability to perform their functions
effectively and efficiently.
 The ongoing conflicts and insecurity, which may
hamper their access to information, evidence,
witnesses, and affected areas.
 The interference of regional and international
actors, which may affect their autonomy,
legitimacy, and relevance.

13. OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE FUTURE PROTECTION
 The compliance with the Paris Principles on
the independence and effectiveness of NHRIs
endorsed by the United Nations, which can
provide them with international recognition,
support, and guidance.
 The engagement with the national, regional,
and international human rights systems, such
as the Universal Periodic Review, the treaty
bodies, the special procedures, the regional
courts and commissions, and the peer
networks, which can enhance their visibility,
influence, and impact.
 The participation in other transformative
processes that are happening in their
countries, such as peace-building, constitution-
making, institutional reform, and development,
which can create synergies and opportunities
for advancing human rights.
 The innovation and adaptation to new
challenges and opportunities, such as the use
of new technologies, data sources, methods,
and tools for human rights monitoring and
protection, which can improve their efficiency
and effectiveness.

14. CONCLUSION
 NHRIs are independent bodies established under a
constitutional/legislative act to protect and promote human rights
domestically. They operate independently from the government.
 The UN Paris Principles relating to the status of national
institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights set
out minimum international standards for the establishment of
NHRIs.
 Full compliance with the Paris Principles provides NHRIs with
international recognition

15. Ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you
For
Your attention