OVERVIEW: MODULE II
Module II provides a more detailed analysis of NHRIs roles and responsibilities, but starting with the integration of NHRI programming into the UN Country Team planning cycle.
The Module then offers three chapters on what UNCT staff need to consider in the pre-establishment, establishment and consolidations phases of organisational development. These three Chapters are focused on capacity development and assessment as lenses through which the UNCT work can be carried out and assessed.
The final Chapter looks in detail at the accreditation process for UNCTs.
Chapter 6: Situating NHRI Support in the UN Planning and Programming Process
Objective: Provide strategies to UNCTs for integrating NHRI support into the UN planning cycle for country programming
This chapter describes how UNCTs can integrate their work in establishing and strengthening NHRIs into each phase of the UN planning cycle, having regard to the stage of development and maturity of the NHRI, whether there is a NHRI in place, and whether it has ICC accreditation status.
Since the country programming cycle forms the template for development assistance in the country over the planning period-usually five years – it is important the UNCTs consider the need to establish and strengthen NHRIs throughout the process. It is equally important that UNCTs involve NHRIs fully in each step.
Chapter 7: The Pre-Establishment Phase
Objective: Identify key challenges and opportunities for UNCT staff who are called upon to support NHRIs during the pre-establishment phase and provide specific guidance, guided by the international human rights framework and concrete case studies. Ensure that the capacity of UNCT staff is supported in the early phases of pre-establishment.
The pre-establishment phase is the first of three phases dealing directly with the establishment of NHRIs in this Toolkit. It extends from assessing the country situation, to supporting the State and relevant stakeholders to create a national consensus, launching a national dialogue, and drafting an enabling law.
Paris Principles-compliant NHRIs are a UN priority. UNCTs should therefore be actively assessing opportunities, while noting the risks, and working towards establishing NHRIs that meet the principles as an international standard.
Chapter 8: Establishment Phase
Objective: Identify key challenges and opportunities for UNCT staff who are called upon to support NHRIs during the establishment phase, and provide specific guidance using the international human rights framework and concrete case studies
Building on the pre-establishment phase, this chapter in the establishment phase provides guidance on the phase from the enabling law to the basic elements of setting up the institution.
UNCTs can have a role in supporting projects to ensure that institutions function effectively across each area, or all of them, while dealing with common challenges during this period of growth. While the issues facing every organisation will vary, UNCTs can have a central role in supporting capacity development in each area.
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Tools and strategies are developed with an eye to complying with the international framework, especially the Paris Principles.
Chapter 9: Consolidation Phase
Objective: Identify key challenges and opportunities for UNCT staff who are called upon to support NHRIs during consolidation phase, and provide specific guidance, guided by the international human rights framework and concrete case studies
This chapter examines the consolidation or strengthening stage of NHRI development in order to assist UNCT staff in providing assistance.
In this phase, it is assumed that the NHRI has been operating for at least two to three years and that there is enough experience and data to assess what is working and what is not.
Unlike the pre-establishment and establishment phases, there are fewer predictable activities that can be cited as common needs of NHRIs at this phase. Each institution will present unique challenges and while there may be some trends, the lack of uniformity means that evaluative activities are critical so that UNCT staff can assess how a specific NHRI is progressing.
It is through evaluative processes like capacity assessments that good information is fed into general evaluations at the institutional level and into the ICC accreditation process. These are the tools through which the UN can determine whether its work and the work of the NHRI are meeting with success across each of the areas where capacity was developed Chapter 8.
Chapter 10: Compliance with the Paris Principles
Objective: Describe and explain the Paris Principles, and provide guidance on how and what support to offer to institutions that do not comply, including those that have been downgraded by the ICC.
This chapter describes the Paris Principles and their application to National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI). The Paris Principles set minimum conditions that a national human rights institution must meet to be considered credible by its peer institutions and by the UN.
The Paris Principles require NHRIs to protect and promote human rights. More specifically, the Paris Principles set out six criteria that NHRIs should meet to be successful:
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Each of the criteria is examined, and checklists are provided to assess compliance to them.