“The CNCDH reported that it had recently been subject to a 12% cut in its budget, which has adversely impacted on its capacity to implement the full extent of its mandates.

Further, the SCA notes that the NHRI has limited human resources (14 staff), which seems insufficient to fulfil the breadth of its mandate throughout France and the overseas territories.

The SCA notes that, to function effectively, an NHRI must be provided with an appropriate level of ongoing funding in order to guarantee its independence and its ability to freely determine its priorities and activities.  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 CNCDH continue to advocate for an appropriate level of funding to carry out the full breadth of its mandate and to ensure it has sufficient human resources to do so. An appropriate level of funding should ensure sufficient and sustainable resources to engage with communities nationally, including in regional and remote areas. 

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