7.2.2 Gathering Support

At some point in time in this phase, there will be a “tipping point” at which it will be clear that there is movement towards the establishment of an institution. This is the time to develop a programme of action, ensuring that there is international support for the NHRI. Care must be taken to ensure that the UN planning processes take place at the earliest possible stage, and not after the NHRI has already begun operation. This means that common country frameworks, common country assessments and UNDAFs should include a mention of the NHRI, i.e. that the NHRI is reflected in and supported the UN planning cycles. See Chapter 6 for UNCT engagement with NHRIs in the context of the UN country planning process.

There may be regional associations of human rights that should be involved, informed and engaged at the early stages, as well as NHRIs in other countries. See Chapters 2 and 3 for further information about cooperating with the international and regional systems.

In the pre-establishment phase, other NHRIs in the same region can be valuable sources of information, and may be helpful resources. Their stories, histories and examples of successes and missteps will serve to both manage expectations and provide guidance on how to avoid repeating errors. Study tours and reciprocal visits are helpful strategies to build knowledge. There is some research in the evaluation community showing that people are more interested in and receptive to knowledge and strategies that are adopted in the region, as opposed to strategies that may work very well in another geographic area or legal tradition. For this reason, it is important to create opportunities for government officials to learn more about successes in the same regional area.

In addition, other intergovernmental bodies, development partners and the diplomatic community may be important advocates for the creation and eventually the support of NHRIs.