“In November 2016, the SCA noted that, while the IHROBH indicates that it interacts with regional and international human rights systems, the Law does not explicitly provide for this function. 

The SCA notes that article 4 of the proposed amendments to the Law provides that, for the purposes of promotion and protection of human rights and freedoms, the IHROBH may hold regular and thematic consultations with civil society organizations, international organizations and bodies of professional and academic communities. The proposed amendments would therefore address the previously-stated concerns of the SCA. The SCA encourages the IHROBH to continue to advocate for the passage of these amendments. 

The SCA commends the IHROBH for its interaction with regional and international human rights system and encourages it to continue to advocate for the passage of the proposed amendments to explicitly mandate this interaction. 

The SCA recognizes that monitoring and engaging with the international human rights system, in particular the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms (Special Procedures and Universal Periodic Review) and the United Nations Human Rights Treaty Bodies, can be an effective tool for NHRIs in the promotion and protection of human rights domestically. 

In considering their engagement with the international human rights system, NHRIs are encouraged to actively engage with the OHCHR, the GANHRI, its Regional NHRI Coordinating Committees, and other NHRIs, as well as international and national NGOs and civil society organization. 

The SCA highlights that effective engagement with the international human rights system may include: 

– submitting parallel or shadow reports to the Universal Periodic review, Special Procedures mechanisms and Treaty Bodies; 

– making statements during debates before review bodies and the Human Rights Council; 

– assisting, facilitating and participating in country visits by United Nations experts, including special procedures mandate holders, treaty bodies, fact finding missions and commissions of inquiry; and 

– monitoring and promoting the implementation of relevant recommendations originating from the human rights system. 

The SCA encourages the IHROBH to continue to engage with and seek assistance from OHCHR, GANHRI and ENNHRI as appropriate.”