“The enabling law of the PDO does not include an explicit mandate to promote human rights. The PDO reported undertaking a wide array of promotion activities, such as awareness raising, human rights education, and speaking publicly, including on key human rights issues, such as discrimination, sexual harassment, LGBTQI people’s rights, and restrictions to civic space and human rights defenders. In addition, the institution reported on its advisory work to ensure that national legislation is in accordance with international and regional human rights standards.

An NHRI should be legislatively mandated with specific functions to both promote and protect human rights. Promotion activities are understood to include those functions which seek to create a society where human rights are more broadly understood and respected. Such functions may include education, training, advising, public outreach and advocacy.

The SCA recommends the PDO to advocate for amendments to its enabling law to include an explicit mandate to promote all human rights.

The SCA refers to Paris Principle A.3 and to its General Observation 1.2 on ‘Human Rights mandate.”