National human rights institutions (NHRIs) are organisations that have been established by national governments with the specific role of promoting and protecting human rights.

Their role generally includes protecting people against all forms of discrimination and protecting their civil and political rights. NHRIs may also have a mandate to promote and protect economic, social and cultural rights, while others may operate like an Ombudsman and have powers to investigate allegations of corruption.

The first NHRIs were established in the 1970s, with many more established in the following decades. Today there are around 110 NHRIs in operation around the world.

Some NHRIs are established by a nation’s constitution. More commonly they are created by legislation or decree. In practice, all are ‘administrative’ organisations – that is, they do not have the power to ‘make’ laws or ‘enforce’ laws.

NHRIs operate independently from government, although they may be required to report to government on a regular basis. The degree of independence which each NHRI enjoys will depend on a range of factors, including its legal framework, its membership and its financial resources.

Visit the National Human Rights Institutions Forum for a global directory of NHRIs.

Paris Principles

In 1991, a meeting of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights agreed on a set of minimum standards – known as the ‘Paris Principles’ – that NHRIs are required to meet in order to be effective. They include:

• a clearly defined and broad-based mandate, based on universal human rights standards
• independence guaranteed by legislation or the constitution
• autonomy from government
• pluralism, including membership that broadly reflects the society
• adequate powers of investigation
• sufficient resources.

Read the full text of the Principles Relating to the Status of National Human Rights Institutions.

Common functions

While the nature and focus of their work may differ, NHRIs share a number of central functions. One of the most important is to receive and investigate complaints of discrimination or human rights abuses that breach national laws.

NHRIs have a responsibility to review national laws, policies and programmes and ensure that they are consistent with human rights standards. They may also monitor the government’s compliance with its own laws and with international human rights standards, and recommend changes when necessary.

Another important function of an NHRI is to raise community awareness and understanding of human rights issues.

APF advisory role

The APF provides advice to member institutions, as well as government and civil society, on the nature and status of NHRIs. This includes advice on establishing an NHRI in compliance with the ‘Paris Principles’.