“The NCHR reports that it has not established regional offices due to lack of sufficient resources. The SCA notes information from the NCHR that it has successfully advocated through the Justice, Rule of Law, and Order Sector composed of 16 public institutions to secure within the strategic plan (2024-2029) the establishment of four regional offices. The NCHR informs that the inclusion of the establishment of the regional offices within the Justice, Rule of Law, and Order Sector strategic plan ensures certainty of funding. The SCA also notes information from the NHCR that despite the absence of regional offices it:
- organizes its work into five Commissariats with each Commissariat overseen by a commissioner and serviced by three members of staff to monitor and cover human rights issues in six districts each engages in outreach activities to inform the public on its mandate.
The SCA notes that, to function effectively, an NHRI must be provided with an appropriate level of funding for premises which are accessible to the wider community including the establishment of permanent regional presence.
The SCA recommends that the NCHR continue to advocate for an appropriate level of funding to ensure accessibility to its services including through the establishment of regional offices and to ensure continued engagement with communities nationally, including in regional and remote areas.
The SCA refers to Paris Principle B.2 and to its General Observation 1.10 on ‘Adequate funding of NHRIs’.”