The broad scope of the Commission’s mandate is reinforced by the Principles relating to
the Status of National Institutions, known as the Paris Principles, adopted by the UN
General Assembly in 1993. See G.A. Res. 134, U.N. Doc. A/RES/48/134 (20 December
1993) (available at
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/StatusOfNationalInstitutions.aspx).
As the honorable Commissioners are aware, the Commission has a top accreditation
status reflecting its full compliance with the Paris Principles. See International
Coordination Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of
Human Rights, Directory of Institutions - Asia Pacific (available at
http://nhri.ohchr.org/EN/Contact/NHRIs/Pages/Asia-Pacific.aspx).
The Paris Principles state that National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) “shall be
given as broad a mandate as possible.” See G.A. Resolution 48/134, Principle 2. The
Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) General Observations, which aim to guide the
interpretation and implementation of the Paris Principles, further instruct:
A National Institution’s mandate should be interpreted in a broad, liberal and
purposive manner to promote a progressive definition of human rights which
includes all rights set out in international, regional and domestic instruments,
including economic, social and cultural rights. Specifically, the mandate should:
extend to the acts and omissions of both the public and private sectors; . . .
provide the authority to address recommendations to public authorities, to analyse
the human rights situation in the country, and to obtain statements or documents
in order to assess situations raising human rights issues.
Sub-Committee on Accreditation General Observations, G.O. 1.2 (available at:
http://nhri.ohchr.org/EN/AboutUs/ICCAccreditation/Documents/SCA%20GENERA
L%20OBSERVATIONS%20ENGLISH.pdf).
The Paris Principles also indicate that a NHRI shall have the responsibility to produce
reports and recommendations “on any matters concerning the promotion and protection
of human rights,” including “[a]ny violation of . . . human rights which it decides to take
up.” Id. at Principle 3(a)(ii). Regarding this responsibility, the SCA General
Observations instruct: “The National Institution’s mandate to both promote and protect
human rights must be defined as broadly as possible so as to give the public the
protection of a wide range of international human rights standards: civil; political;
economic; cultural; and social. This gives effect to the principle that all rights are
universal, indivisible, and interdependent.” SCA General Observations, G.O. 1.2(ii).
That Paris Principles also outline key methods of operation for NHRIs, directing them to
“[h]ear any person and obtain any information and any documents necessary for
assessing situations falling within its competence.” Id. at Methods of operation para. (b).
In their complaints-handling function, specifically, the SCA General Observations note
that the process includes “[t]he ability to investigate complaints, including the power to
compel the production of evidence and witnesses.” SCA General Observations, G.O.
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