“The SCA notes that the enabling Law does not explicitly mandate the DHCR to interact with international and regional human rights systems nor encourage the ratification of, or accession to, international human rights instruments. 

The SCA emphasizes that monitoring and engaging with regional and international human rights systems, 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. 

The SCA highlights that, depending on existing domestic priorities and resources, effective engagement with regional and international human rights systems may include: 

– submitting alternative reports to the Universal Periodic Review and Treaty Bodies; 

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

– supporting, facilitating, and contributing to 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 recommendations originating from regional and international human rights systems. 

The SCA builds on its recommendation from 2016 and recommends that the DHCR strengthens its interaction with the international and regional human rights systems, and advocates for amendments to its enabling Law to include explicit responsibility for these functions. 

The SCA refers to Paris Principles A.3 (b) – (e) and to its General Observation 1.4 on ‘Interaction with the international human rights system’.” 

The SCA reiterates its previous recommendation from 2016 and recommends that the DHCR develops, formalizes, and maintains working relationships, as appropriate, with other domestic institutions established for the promotion and protection of human rights, including civil society organizations. 

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