Key Messages

• The rule of law is a basic feature of functioning legal systems in democracies. NHRIs have a role in strengthening the rule of law and the administration of justice, particularly in the areas of administration of justice and judicial institutions, police and security forces, and prisons.
• The importance of effective human rights protection cannot be over-emphasised, nor can the risk of losing credibility if a NHRI fails to demonstrate results in the area of its core protection mandate.
• In-country experience shows that some NHRIs are not addressing these issues to the extent that they could. This chapter provides strategies to address these issues. Annex 1 also provides a range of strategies across each area of the protection mandate.
• NHRIs should be especially vigilant in core protection work involving specific groups.
• NHRIs are expected to become even more involved and visible as potential national preventive mechanisms engaged in the prevention of torture with the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture.