According to Article 6 of the Law, Parliament appoints the Defensor from the candidates proposed by the Committee of Government, Justice, and Constitutional Affairs. The DPP informed that, in practice, Parliament issues a resolution at the beginning of every selection process, which is publicized in the major national newspaper for two days. During this time any interested person can submit their application to be considered. Once the applications are received, they are made public, and the public has two days to express their opposition or support to the candidates. The SCA notes that two days does not allow for broad participation and a wide range of candidates.

It is critically important to ensure the formalization of a clear, transparent, and participatory selection and appointment process for an NHRI’s decision-making body in relevant legislation, regulations, or binding administrative guidelines, as appropriate.

The SCA encourages the DPP to continue advocating for the formalization and application of a process that includes requirements to promote broad consultation and/ or participation in the application, screening, selection, and appointment process, which allows for a sufficient timeline for applications as well as public participation.

The SCA refers to Paris Principle B.1 and to its General Observation 1.8 on ‘Selection and appointment of the decision-making body of NHRIs’.