International NHRI body prepares advice on key topics

The global body for national human rights institutions (NHRIs) is currently developing advice on three key topics in order to support individual institutions comply with the international standards set out in the Paris Principles.

At its meeting in October 2011, the Sub-Committee on Accreditation of the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (ICC) developed draft General Observations on:

• NHRIs operating as National Monitoring/Preventive Mechanisms
• the quasi-judicial competency NHRIs, and
• assessing the performance of NHRIs.

These draft General Observations will be presented for consideration and adoption when the decision-making body of the ICC – the ICC Bureau – meets in March 2012.

The ICC has previously adopted 25 General Observations that address a broad range of compliance issues for NHRIs.

Their purpose is to provide guidance to NHRIs in developing their own processes and mechanisms, as well as assist governments address issues relating to a NHRI’s compliance with the Paris Principles.

The Sub-Committee also uses the General Observations to guide its assessment of applications for accreditation, re-accreditation and special reviews of NHRIs.

Accreditation

During the October 2011 meeting, the Sub-Committee considered:

• applications for accreditation from the NHRIs or Ombudsman’s Offices of Bermuda, Bulgaria (2 applications) and Macedonia
• applications for reaccreditation from the NHRIs of Argentina, Armenia, Burkina Faso, Costa Rica, Egypt, Mexico, Norway, Panama, Senegal, Slovakia, Tanzania, and Zambia

In addition, the Sub-Committee considered the situation of the NHRI from Honduras.

It is expected that the ICC Bureau will finalise and release the accreditation outcomes in January 2012, after the following review procedure set out in the ICC Statute has been completed:

• The recommendations of the Sub-Committee are forwarded to the applicant. An applicant can challenge a recommendation by making a written submission to the ICC Chairperson within 28 days of receipt.
• On completion of the 28 day period, the recommendation and any challenge will be forwarded to the members of the ICC Bureau for decision within 20 days.
• If, within the 20 day period, four members from two or more regional groups object to recommendation of the Sub-Committee, the recommendation is referred to the next ICC Bureau meeting for decision.

ICC Statute

Following discussions at the ICC Bureau meeting in Seoul in October, the Sub-Committee considered further changes to the draft amendment to the ICC Statute dealing with the urgent suspension of accreditation status.

The final draft will be submitted for consideration and adoption at the next ICC General Meeting in March 2012.

Date: 16 November 2011