Paris Principles for National Human Rights Institutions

The Paris Principles are international standards for making national human rights institutions independent, representative and effective. Endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 1993, they prescribe minimum requirements concerning an institution’s mandate, composition, resources and working methods so that it can promote and protect human rights without executive control.

A broad and legally secured mandate

An institution should have the broadest possible mandate to promote and protect human rights. Its mandate must be clearly established in a constitutional or legislative text, specifying its composition and sphere of competence.

• It should be able to examine human rights violations and submit opinions, recommendations, proposals and reports to the government, parliament and other competent authorities.
• It should be able to act on its own initiative, without needing referral from a higher authority, and make its opinions and reports public.
• Its responsibilities should include reviewing legislation and administrative provisions, encouraging conformity with international human rights standards, and supporting human rights education.

Independent and pluralistic membership

The composition and appointment procedure should secure pluralistic representation of the social forces involved in promoting and protecting human rights. Independence therefore requires safeguards in both institutional design and membership.

• Representation or effective cooperation should involve civil society organisations, trade unions, professional organisations, universities and other qualified experts.
• Where representatives of government departments participate, they should do so only in an advisory capacity.
• Members should be appointed through an official act specifying the duration of their mandate, helping secure a stable tenure necessary for independence.
• Renewal of appointments is permissible, provided the pluralism of the institution’s membership is maintained.

Resources, working autonomy and access

Formal independence must be supported by adequate funding and practical freedom to function. Funding should enable the institution to maintain its own staff and premises, independently of government, without financial control that compromises its independence.

• The institution should freely consider matters within its competence, hear any person and obtain information and documents necessary to assess those matters.
• It should meet regularly, address public opinion directly or through the media, and maintain consultation with relevant institutions and civil society organisations.
• The Principles contain additional provisions for institutions empowered to receive individual complaints, but do not require every institution to possess this quasi-judicial competence.