“The SCA notes that over 60% of CAHR staff are women. There is still no requirement in the law that the CAHR staff be representative of the diverse segments of society.

Diversity in the membership and staff of an NHRI facilitates its appreciation of, and capacity to engage on, all human rights issues affecting the society in which it operates. In addition, it promotes the accessibility of the NHRI for all citizens.

Pluralism refers to the broader representation of national society. Consideration must be given to ensuring pluralism in the context of gender, ethnicity or minority status.

The SCA notes that there are diverse models for ensuring the requirement of pluralism in the composition of NHRIs as set out in the Paris Principles. In the case of single-member institutions such as the CAHR, pluralism can be achieved by ensuring staff are representative of the diverse segments of society.

The SCA encourages the CAHR to advocate for the inclusion in its enabling law a requirement that its staff be reflective of the principle of pluralism.”