“The SCA recognizes that monitoring and engaging with the international human rights system, 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. 

It highlights that effective engagement with the international human rights system may include: 

– submitting parallel or shadow reports to the Universal Periodic Review, Special Procedure mechanisms and Treaty Bodies Committees; 

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

– assisting, facilitating and participating in 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 relevant recommendations originating from the human rights system. 

The SCA is further of the view that it is the responsibility of an NHRI to encourage the State to engage in an effective manner with the international and regional human rights systems. 

The SCA encourages the PDDH to provide the SCA with additional information with respect to its engagement with the international and regional human rights system, including in particular efforts made to assist, facilitate and participate in country visits by United Nations experts, including special procedures mandate holders, treaty bodies, fact-finding missions and commissions of inquiry. 

The SCA continues to encourage the PDDH to increase its engagement with the international human rights system, and with the regional human rights mechanisms including the Inter American system, and to advocate for amendments to its enabling law to formalize the cooperation with the United Nations and other international and regional bodies.”