Accreditation

To be effective in their work to promote and protect human rights, national human rights institutions must be credible and independent.

The Paris Principles set out internationally agreed minimum standards that NHRIs must meet to be considered credible.

The Paris Principles require NHRIs to be independent in law, membership, operations, policy and control of resources. They also require that NHRIs have a broad mandate; pluralism in membership; broad functions; adequate powers; adequate resources; cooperative methods; and engage with international bodies.

GANHRI,  through the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA), is responsible for reviewing and accrediting NHRIs in compliance with the Paris Principles.

It is a rigorous, peer-based process, undertaken by representatives of NHRIs from each of the four regions: Africa, Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe.

A national human rights institution is reviewed by the SCA when:

• it applies for initial accreditation
• it applies for re-accreditation every five years
• the circumstances of the NHRI change in any way that may affect its compliance with the Paris Principles.

Accreditation status

NHRIs that are assessed as complying with the Paris Principles are accredited with ‘A status’, while those that partially comply are accredited with ‘B status’.

As of 2022, GANHRI is composed of 120 members: 88 “A” status NHRIs and 32 “B” status NHRIs.

‘A status’ NHRIs have independent participation rights at the UN Human Rights Council, its subsidiary bodies and some General Assembly bodies and mechanisms. They are eligible for full membership of GANHRI, including the right to vote and hold governance positions.

NHRIs accredited with ‘B status’ participate in GANHRI meetings but are unable to vote or hold governance positions.