2.4.4 Consultative and Advisory Bodies

Consultative/advisory NHRIs share the following attributes:

• They are State-sponsored, with the mandate to protect and promote human rights; some operate on a cost-recovery basis in that they sell services. Others may extend their work in the international arena;
• They are drawn from a plurality of social forces and tend to have large memberships;
• They are usually not mandated to investigate cases, but may advise or consult broadly on a wide range of large issues of human rights and may be able to make recommendations; and
• They focus on advising the State on human rights issues and/or conducting human rights research.

Because these NHRIs are highly pluralistic, this can lend them credibility with both the population and Government, this latter because opinions will carry the weight of these social forces. The number of members may, however, be financially debilitating and can inhibit speedy decision-making.

The focus that such institutions put on advice-giving and human rights research encourages in-depth analysis and enhances the quality of results. While research may be more academic in focus, the main concern with such institutions is the absence of direct experience with individual complaints, which distances their work from direct protection of human rights. The absence of a mandate to investigate individual complaints, which is true of many (but not all) such institutions, may be seen as limiting their effectiveness. On the other hand, the institution will have the time and resources to devote to an examination of broader, systemic human rights issues. As with most other models, these institutions can only provide advice or make recommendations. If their advice is not followed or routinely ignored, their credibility will suffer.

These kinds of institutions are found mainly in Europe, but also in Francophone Africa.

These kinds of NHRIs tend to have broad research and advisory mandates across the full range of human rights recognised by the State, but do not generally have authority to entertain or investigate individual complaints.

Examples: