Sub-Committee on Accreditation

GANHRI’s peer-based accreditation process recognises the fact that NHRIs, through their shared experience, are best placed to review and support each other.

The members of the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) include one NHRI representative from each of the four regional groupings.

The current SCA members are drawn from the:

• Independent Commission for Human Rights of Palestine (Asia Pacific) – Chairperson
• Human Rights Commission of South Africa (Africa)
• Comisionado Nacional de los Derechos Humanos de Honduras (Americas)
• Equality and Human Rights Commission of Great Britain (Europe)

SCA members are voted to the position by their respective regional network. They serve a term of three years, which can be renewed. Regional networks are also required to appoint an alternate member to participate in sessions where the existing member is unavailable or has a conflict of interest.

The SCA meets in Geneva twice a year to consider accreditation applications. However, while travel restrictions remain in place because of COVID-19, SCA sessions may be conducted online.

The United Nations Human Rights Office – through the National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Section – is a permanent observer and serves as Secretariat to the SCA.

The four regional networks are invited to attend SCA sessions as observers. In addition, a staff member of GANHRI Head Office, designated by the GANHRI Chairperson, also attends SCA sessions as a permanent observer.

In conducting the accreditation sessions, SCA members review information submitted by the applicant NHRI. They also conduct a phone interview with the NHRI to follow up on certain issues.

In addition to the material provided by the NHRI, SCA members also consider other sources of information, including reports submitted by civil society organisations, UN mechanisms and publicly available information.

Once the SCA has considered an application, it presents a report and recommendations to the GANHRI Bureau, which has responsibility for making the final decision on the accreditation of NHRIs.