Continuing collaboration for change

The outcomes of the Inter-governmental Mechanisms (IGM) Project, funded by the European Union, demonstrate the significant benefits for NHRIs and intergovernmental mechanisms that can come from dialogue and collaboration on human rights issues of shared concern.

Relationships have been established or deepened, where previously little connections existed. Collaboration has been initiated at a national level in some countries. NHRIs and IGMs in the Pacific and South-East Asia have all expressed a desire to continue the dialogue on human rights, climate change and the environment.

Future engagement may take different forms, some of which are canvassed here. To support this process, the APF has identified guiding principles to inform NHRI engagement with their respective intergovernmental mechanisms, which are set out in a policy paper prepared for this project.

Guiding Principles for NHRI engagement

Given the developments in NHRI participation at the international and regional level, NHRIs should be guided by the following principles when engaging with intergovernmental mechanisms addressing human rights issues:

1. NHRIs which are accredited with ‘A status’ should formally collaborate with intergovernmental mechanisms.
2. NHRIs should aim towards increasing the likelihood of implementation and compliance by the State with the findings and decisions of intergovernmental mechanisms on human rights issues.
3. NHRIs should provide reliable, accurate and regular information to intergovernmental mechanisms.
4. NHRIs should provide publicity and increase awareness of the human rights related work of intergovernmental mechanisms at the domestic level.
5. NHRIs should act as a bridge between domestic implementation of the human rights recommendations of intergovernmental mechanisms.
6. NHRIs should consider providing technical assistance to the State in the implementation of human rights recommendations of intergovernmental mechanisms.
7. NHRIs should collaborate with relevant national stakeholders in monitoring implementation of the human rights recommendations of intergovernmental mechanisms.

Regular formal dialogues and exchange

NHRIs and their intergovernmental mechanisms may consider the establishment of an annual dialogue to discuss human rights issues of common concern; for example, human rights and climate change, business and human rights, or human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals. 

These dialogues would be an opportunity for participants to share updates on activities over the past 12 months, as well as identify and plan coordinated programs of work, in line with their respective mandates and priorities.

In South-East Asia, this may be an annual dialogue between national Representatives to AICHR and representatives of the South-East Asia National Human Rights Institution Forum (SEANF).

In the Pacific, this may be an annual dialogue between representatives of all IGM bodies – PIFS, SPC and SPREP/PCCC – and NHRIs from the sub-region. Representatives from States that are in the process of establishing an NHRI may be invited to attend as observers.

NHRI contribution to regional processes and priorities

NHRIs can identify opportunities where they can, individually or collectively, contribute to human rights priorities being addressed at the regional level through their respective IGMs. 

Potential NHRI actions can include using their monitoring, reporting and advisory functions to contribute independent information and analysis to regional processes, or using their education function to raise awareness at the national level of regional priorities and developments. 

These actions may be supported by IGMs creating space for NHRIs to host or contribute to side events or dialogues, in parallel with their regular meetings, to give visibility to the work and contribution of NHRIs.

In South-East Asia, this could include NHRIs continuing to monitor and contribute to the development of a proposed Regional Framework on Environmental Rights in ASEAN. For example, like the NHRIs of Thailand and the Philippines, other NHRIs may prepare a submission and recommendations to support the work of their national Representative to AICHR.

In addition, NHRIs can contribute by disseminating information to the community and supporting the work of their AICHR representative in other ways.

The invitation by Malaysia’s Representative to AICHR for the APF to convene a side event at the AICHR-EU Regional Consultation on Business and Human Rights, Environment and Climate Change in ASEAN, held in Kuala Lumpur in May 2023, is an example of how intergovernmental mechanisms can give visibility to and support the contribution of NHRIs on priority human rights issues.

In the Pacific, this could include NHRIs supporting implementation of regional initiatives such as the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy at the national level and promoting accountability for these commitments in their country contexts.

A possible side event at the next Pacific Leaders meeting, co-convened by SPREP, the APF and NHRIs, would give visibility to the work of NHRIs to promote human rights-based action on climate change and people-centred development.

National partnerships and collaboration

NHRIs can identify opportunities to engage with their respective IGMs at the national level. This may include inviting representatives of their IGMs to contribute to NHRI events or consultations, or holding regular bilateral meetings with those representatives. 

In addition, sharing their operational expertise with IGMs – for example, an NHRI may convene an advisory panel for youth, women or LGBTI+ persons – can streamline information gathering or consultation processes for IGMs and avoid ‘reinventing the wheel’. Importantly, strong relationships at the national level can support additional opportunities for engagement with regional processes.

In South East Asia, NHRIs can continue to strengthen existing bilateral relationships with their respective national Representatives to AICHR, with a focus on contributing to the proposed framework on environmental rights in ASEAN. As demonstrated in the Philippines, this relationship can extend to cooperation on other human rights issues. Building a robust working relationship with the Office of the Representative to AICHR is also important to maintain a degree of continuity when a new national Representative is appointed.

In the Pacific, NHRIs may continue to reach out to IGMs in terms of ongoing capacity support, education, awareness and training around climate change and human rights. For example, joint national activities between SPREP/PCCC and Samoa’s NHRI could be replicated with other NHRIs in the Pacific.

Regional NHRI coordination and engagement

The collective voice of NHRIs offers a powerful contribution to discussion of human rights issues at the international and regional level. By combining and synthesising their national experiences, a regional NHRI position can offer unique insights into the development and implementation of regional standards for the promotion and protection of human rights.

In South East Asia, NHRIs can work collectively through SEANF to engage with AICHR. The agenda of SEANF is centred on human rights issues of significance across ASEAN countries that can provide substance to the conduct of AICHR’s regular meetings.

In the Pacific, NHRIs can strengthen their dialogue to identify how they can support one another and collaborate on common issues and contribute to the work of intergovernmental mechanisms, as well as IGMs partnering with NHRIs to help implement regional initiatives - such as the 2050 Blue Pacific Strategy or the Pacific Leaders Kainaki Declaration - on the ground.