“The OPC had recently been subject to a budget cut of approximately G 26 million (USD 205,520.49), preventing it from carrying out activities for a large number of victims of human rights violations.

The SCA notes that, to function effectively, an NHRI must be provided with an appropriate level of ongoing funding in order to guarantee its independence and its ability to freely determine its priorities and activities.

The SCA recommends that the OPC continue to advocate for an appropriate level of funding to carry out the full breadth of its mandate. Such appropriate level of funding shall ensure sufficient ongoing resources to engage with communities nationally, including in regional and remote areas, and with marginalised groups, particularly in a context of security and humanitarian crises.

The SCA refers to Paris Principle B.2 and to its General Observation 1.10 on ‘Adequate funding of NHRIs’.”