In 1992, the U.N. Commission on Human Rights endorsed a set of internationally recognized principles concerning the status, powers and functioning of national human rights institutions (see Appendix for the full text). The U.N. Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions, known as the Paris Principles,1 which were subsequently endorsed by the U.N. General Assembly in 1993, set out the basic guidelines recommended by the U.N. in the establishment of a national human rights institution. The U.N. defines a national human rights institution as a government body established under the constitution or by law, whose functions are specifically designed to promote and protect human rights. The U.N. broadly groups national human rights institutions into three categories: human rights commissions, ombudsmen, and specialized national institutions designed to protect the rights of a particular vulnerable group (such as ethnic minorities, indigenous populations, refugees, women or children).2

The Paris Principles stress, as fundamental features designed to contribute to independence, the need for:

1. a founding constitutional or legislative statute;

2. "as broad a mandate as possible;"

3. an independent appointments procedures, with terms of office specified by law;

4. a pluralistic and representative composition;

5. regular and effective functioning;

6. independence from the executive branch; and

7. adequate funding.

In recommending methods of operation, the Paris Principles call on governments to create national institutions that can take up any human rights matter at their own initiative, at the suggestion of government, and at the request of "any petitioner." Responsibilities should include:

8. reporting and making recommendations to the government on human rights matters (including the adoption or amendment of national legislation and the reporting of situations of human rights violations);

9. promoting conformity of national law and practice with international human rights standards, including the ratification of international human rights treaties;

10. cooperating with national, regional and U.N. human rights bodies, including through contributions to country reports submitted to U.N. treaty bodies and committees; and

11. human rights education programs.

Most importantly, human rights commissions should be empowered to make public statements on their work directly or through the press.