“The SCA notes that the CNIDH has provided information on its engagement with civil society organisations, including some human rights defenders in exile that rely on the institution to investigate allegation of human rights violations in the country.

The CNIDH also mentioned the risks of reprisals against its members and staff in the monitoring and reporting of alleged human rights violations including in the context of the advocacy for granting access to the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Burundi by the State.

The SCA acknowledges the examples provided by the CNIDH and recommends that the CNIDH continues to enhance and formalise its working relationships and cooperation with civil society organisations and human rights defenders in a timely and responsive manner.

The SCA emphasizes that regular and constructive engagement with all relevant stakeholders is essential for NHRIs to effectively fulfil their mandates and contribute to the accessibility of the institution for all. NHRIs should develop, formalize, and maintain working relationships as appropriate with other domestic institutions, as well as civil society and non-governmental organisations. Broad engagement with all stakeholders improves the effectiveness of an NHRI in strengthening the civic space, implementing its mandate to promote and protect human rights by providing a better understanding of the breadth of human rights issues across the state; the different impact of such issues based on social, cultural, geographic, and other factors; gaps; priorities; and implementation strategies.

The SCA refers to Paris Principles C(f) and (g), and to its General Observation 1.5 on ’Cooperation with other human rights bodies’.”