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

Getting Started with a New NHRI


Scenario: Getting Started with a New NHRI

As a new UNCT staff member, you have been asked to assume responsibility for the establishment of a NHRI. Very little has been done since the law was passed. What to do now? What are the basic structural and capital requirements? What criteria are particular to NHRIs? What are the normal requirements to get the institution going – offices, transportation and basic equipment?

What will it cost?

The planned activities for capacity development that are undertaken by the UNCT should be coordinated with the planning process in the UN country planning cycle, and set out in the Project Activity Framework (PAF). A sample of the PAF, showing how costing can be broken down by activity level is provided in Chapter 6.

Who pays?

While paying for basic infrastructure is a state responsibility, the UN often "kick starts" the NHRI at the establishment phase in developing countries, or in countries in transition. The UNCT will typically work with other donors to support basic structural needs of the organization.