Accreditation

Photo: Benjamin Lee

Accreditation assesses the extent to which an NHRI meets the minimum standards set out in the Paris Principles.

It is a peer-based evaluation process, undertaken by representatives of NHRIs from each of the four regions: Africa, Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe.

Accreditation by the ICC can help strengthen the credibility of a national human rights institution.

NHRIs accredited as ‘A status’ also have the right to independently participate in the work of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Read more about the ICC accreditation process and access ICC accreditation documents.

APF support

The APF can support a new national human rights institution in the Asia Pacific region before, during and after the ICC accreditation process.

A national human rights institutions must be accredited by the ICC before it can become an APF member.

Before accreditation: by providing advice on completing the accreditation application; reviewing a completed application; or identifying supplementary information that may be included in the accreditation application.

During accreditation: by providing advice on how the meeting will proceed and what to expect; or providing advice to the ICC Sub-Committee on Accreditation on regional and national circumstances.

After accreditation: providing advice on how to respond to any issues of concern, either through changes to law or administrative action; providing training or capacity building programs for the NHRI; or undertaking field missions to support the NHRI.

Accreditation status

National human rights can be accredited as ‘A status’, ‘B status’ or ‘C status’.

‘A status’: full compliance with the Paris Principles.

‘A status’ institutions are eligible for full membership of the ICC, including the right to vote and to hold governance positions. They can also participate independently in sessions of the UN Human Rights Council and take the floor under any agenda item, submit documentation and take separate seating.

‘A status’ institutions are admitted as full members of the APF.

‘B status’: not fully in compliance with the Paris Principles or has not yet submitted sufficient documentation to make that determination.

‘B status’ institutions may participate in ICC meetings but are unable to vote or hold governance. They do not have independent participation rights at the UN Human Rights Council.

‘B status’ institutions may be admitted as associate members of the APF.

‘C status’: non-compliant with the Paris Principles

‘C status’ institutions may, at the invitation of the Chairperson of the ICC Bureau, attend meetings of the ICC. They do not have independent participation rights at the UN Human Rights Council.