“The Law does not provide an explicit promotion mandate. The SCA notes, however, that in practice the SOO undertakes promotional activities. 

The SCA is of the view that an NHRI should be legislatively mandated with specific functions to both promote and protect human rights. It understands ‘promotion’ to include those functions which seek to create a society where human rights are more broadly understood and respected. Such functions may include education, training, advising, public outreach and advocacy. 

Further, the SOO’s enabling Law does not explicitly mandate it to either interact with the international human rights system or to encourage ratification or accession to international human rights instruments. The SCA acknowledges, however, that in practice the SOO undertakes functions in these areas. 

The SCA encourages the SOO to continue to interpret its mandate in a broad manner. It further encourages the SOO to advocate for legislative amendments to explicitly include a promotional mandate, and to provide it with an explicit mandate both to interact with the international human rights system and to encourage ratification or accession to international human rights instruments.”