Following a formal review in November, the International Coordinating Committee (ICC) of National Human Rights Institutions’ accreditation body has recommended that the national human rights commissions of Malaysia and Nepal retain their ‘A status’ accreditation.

However, the report of the ICC’s Sub-Committee on Accreditation, which was recently released, has requested that both institutions return in 2010 so that developments affecting each organisation can be reviewed.

In relation to Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, the next review will consider the application of the new selection process for Commission members, as well as new key performance indicators that will apply to Commissioners.

The review of Nepal's National Human Rights Commission will focus on proposed changes to the organisation’s enabling legislation.

In addition to Malaysia and Nepal, the Sub-committee made recommendations concerning the accreditation status of Greece (‘A’ status); Chad, Mauritania, Moldova and Tunisia (‘B’ status) and Scotland (deferred).

It also recommended that Luxembourg's 'A' status should be reviewed again in 2010 and that the status of Bosnia and Herzegovina be downgraded from 'A' to 'B'. The institution will have 12 months to respond.

NHRIs which are considered to fully comply with the Paris Principles are accredited ‘A status’, while those that partially comply are accredited ‘B’ status.

‘A status’ organisations are eligible for full membership of the ICC and APF. In addition, only ‘A status’ NHRIs have independent participation rights at the UN Nations Human Rights Council and its subsidiary bodies.

The Sub-committee also reviewed urgent communications in relation to three other NHRIs, recommending that the ICC Chair write to the NHRI to highlight concerns about ongoing compliance with the Paris Principles.

General Observations

An additional task undertaken of the Sub-Committee is to develop General Observations, which provide guidance on the interpretation and application of the Paris Principles.

The Sub-Committee has foreshadowed its intention to develop a General Observation or Procedural Guideline on NHRIs designated as the National Preventative Mechanism under the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture or the national monitoring mechanism under article 33 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

It has requested input and suggestions from ICC members and others on possible content.

Next session

The next session of the Sub-Committee on Accreditation will be held in March 2010, when it will consider applications for accreditation or re-accreditation from three APF members – Maldives, Nepal and Qatar – as well as Austria, Belgium, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland and The Netherlands.

Find out more

• Report of the November 2009 session of the Sub-Committee on Accreditation
• General Observations