Resources About NHRIs

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This report addresses the main questions concerning the implementation of an NHRI in the United States and argues that the Biden Administration should create a study commission to officially explore how an NHRI in the U.S. could be established. The report emphasizes that NHRIs should not follow a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, the U.S. should focus on answering a variety of questions unique to the U.S. that will help it to build an effective, functioning NHRI. Description and Quotation

The Global Alliance of Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) represents over 110 NHRIs and works closely with regional networks across the globe to promote and strengthen NHRIs. GANHRI is a member-based alliance that accredits NHRIs as compliant with The Paris Principles, which establishes the broad mandate for NHRIs to be credible and operate effectively. on and Quotation

This submission to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination emphasizes the need for the U.S. government to establish an independent NHRI to effectively fulfill its obligations under international treaties. It discusses the history of the U.S. government’s response to pressure from the international community about establishing a federal mechanism to ensure treaty compliance, and it provides a list of recommendations to the U.S. to be able to fulfill its treaty obligations and ensure compliance by state and local human rights commissions. 

 The Paris Principles set out a broad mandate for the implementation of NHRIs. These principles stress the importance of independence and pluralism through the appointment of NHRI members from various sectors and organizations and adequate funding for the institution to be independent. Additionally, the mandate discusses the framework of NHRI operations, stating that the institution shall meet regularly, establish working groups as necessary, consult with other bodies to promote and protect human rights, and more. 

 National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) play a significant role in promoting participation in public affairs, more specifically the opportunity for people to participate in elections. This handbook serves as a useful tool to help NHRIs advance participatory democracy. Among other democratic principles this resource assists in promoting, the guide also provides helpful guidance for NHRIs in their efforts to collaborate with election observers and election assistance providers in their countries. 

 From the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights, this publication stresses the importance of NHRIs at the international, national, and subnational levels of government. It explains their role in protecting human rights through mechanisms such as monitoring, investigating, inquiries, and alternative dispute resolution, and identifies challenges and opportunities for supporting NHRIs. 

Southern Poverty Law Center International Policy Counsel Lisa Borden's testimony to the Organization for 

 This article explores NHRIs as an institution to implement human rights treaties, specifically the United Nations Convention Against Torture (CAT). Welch argues that the presence of an NHRI in a nation that has ratified CAT decreases the chances that a nation will egregiously violate

CAT. Notably, Welch claims that NHRIs act as data gatherers that can assist the legal system and mobilize efforts to ensure international promises are being followed.

Co-written by a former member of the Canadian Human Rights Commission and GANHRI’s Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA), this book provides an overview of the work of NHRIs, exploring over 128 institutions across the globe. It serves as a reference for compliance with The Paris Principles, and it discusses the SCA’s work. Along with other works in this list, Langtry and Lyer’s book discusses the problems NHRIs face and how these institutions can be strengthened. 

 This book focuses on the practical implementation of international human rights law. In chapter 10, Hafner-Burton discusses localization of human rights through NHRIs, focusing on their overall structure and the potential they have to to advance human rights on a national scale. The chapter also examines at the various challenges that arise with NHRIs and how NHRIs interact with NGOs and other national institutions. 

This paper examines the current state of NHRIs. It discusses the challenges of NHRIs, such as the cooperative relationships with government that can occur despite major human rights violations, as well as the positive aspects of NHRIs, such as their ability to help legitimatize human rights nationally. In focusing on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), this paper argues that domestic and international human rights bodies should push these governments to strengthen NHRI independence and the regional forums to better support NHRIs across MENA. 

 The Paris Principles set out a broad mandate for the implementation of NHRIs. These principles stress the importance of independence and pluralism through the appointment of NHRI members from various sectors and organizations and adequate funding for the institution to be independent. Additionally, the mandate discusses the framework of NHRI operations, stating that the institution shall meet regularly, establish working groups as necessary, consult with other bodies to promote and protect human rights, and more.