Chapter 1
Introducing National Human
Rights Institutions

Chapter 2
Models of NHRIs

Chapter 3
Roles and Responsabilities of
NHRIs

Chapter 4
The Rule of Law and the NHRI

Chapter 5
NHRIs, Development and
Democratic Governance

Chapter 6
Situating NHRI Support in the UN Planning & Programming Process

Chapter 7
Pre-establishment Phase of NHRIs

Chapter 8
Establishing NHRIs

Chapter 9
Consolidation Phase:
Strengthening the Mature NHRI

Chapter 10
Paris Principles and Accreditation

Key Messages

  • The establishment phase covers the period in time immediately after the institution is established in law, and includes setting up the organisation and developing capacity in infrastructure, organisational development, human rights capacity and functional areas of responsibility.
  • If asked to support NHRIs, UNCTs can help bring good practices to light, and ensure that staff have the knowledge and tools to work effectively. Establishing NHRIs should be undertaken with a view to creating capacity across the all major areas.
  • A newly created NHRI will face a number of immediate challenges. Because these challenges are known and predictable, UNCT staff should consider if and how technical assistance should be provided to help the institution respond to the challenges, and, if so, what the most effective approach might be.
  • An NHRI’s organisational structure reflects its general mandate and responsibilities. It should also reflect principles of good management and be conducive to operational efficiency.
  • There should be meaningful and transparent participation of stakeholders with expertise in human rights and community issues, especially in the strategic planning process, and also in reports, investigations, public inquiry work, and promotional activities.
  • Investing in the leadership of the NHRI is a fundamental part of its human resources management, but it also represents a cross-cutting theme for the organisation.
  • NHRIs must adopt processes and procedures that meet the highest standards of good governance and respect for human rights: requirements of plurality demands that employees be representative of the wider community.
  • Because of the visibility and immediacy of the protection mandate, the promotion side of the mandate is sometimes overlooked. It is important that this not happen.
  • The longer-term need to foster a change in the culture of human rights requires a change in attitudes and behaviours and it is vital to disseminate the results for protection work so the public knows what is going on.