“The Chancellor of Justice Act does not explicitly mandate the CoJ to encourage ratification of, or accession to international human rights instruments. The SCA acknowledges that, in practice, the CoJ interprets its mandate broadly, considering this function an integral part of its human rights mandate, and carries out activities in this regard.

The SCA is of the view that encouraging ratification of, or accession to international human rights instruments, and the effective implementation of those instruments to which the State is a party, are key functions of an NHRI. Therefore, the SCA encourages the CoJ to continue to interpret its mandate broadly and to advocate for an appropriate legislative amendment to make explicit its mandate to encourage ratification of, or accession to international human rights instruments.

The SCA refers to Paris Principles A3(b) and (c) and to its General Observation 1.3 on ‘Encouraging ratification or accession to international human rights instruments’.”