“The SCA is of the view that to function effectively, an NHRI must be provided with an appropriate level of funding to guarantee its independence and its ability to freely determine its priorities and activities.

States have the duty to protect the most vulnerable members of society, who are often the victims of human rights violations, even in times of severe resource constraints.

The NHRI must be empowered to allocate funding from its budget according to its priorities. In particular, adequate funding should, to a reasonable degree, ensure the gradual and progressive realisation of the improvement of the NHRI’s operations and the fulfilment of its mandate.

The SCA recommends that the FNHRI advocate that it continues to receive an appropriate level of funding, and for its financial autonomy to be enshrined in the enabling law of the NHRI.

The SCA refers to Paris Principle B.2 and to its General Observation 1.10 on ‘Adequate funding of NHRI.”