WK 211 Building Effective Human Rights Commissions

Effective human rights commissions successfully meet the challenges of four broad mandates: 1. Maintaining independence from the government; 2. Protecting human rights; 3. Promoting human rights; and 4. Dealing with complaints from individuals. This workshop will present perspectives from four commissions and the tactics they have used to fulfill these mandates.

Panelists

• Morten Kjaerum, Danish Institute for Human Rights and Chairman, International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Denmark
• Maina Kiai, Kenya National Human Rights Commission, Kenya
• Ashraf Mahomed, South Africa Human Rights Commission, South Africa
• Munkhbat Nyamaa, National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia, Mongolia

Presentations

• View Maina Kiai’sPowerPoint presentation 72 KB
• Read Maina Kiai’s presentation outline
• View Ashraf Mahomed’s PowerPoint presentation 123 KB
• Read Ashraf Mahomed’s presentation outline

A national human rights institution (NHRI) monitors and raises awareness of human rights and plays a catalytic role in creating a culture of human rights. It may be initiated and even funded by the government, but it is essential that the institution maintain its independence, striking a balance between politics and its legitimate advisory and monitoring functions. One way the institution can do this is through pluralist composition, with a broad representation of NGOs, universities, qualified experts and government departments, as well as various trends in philosophical or religious thought. This ensures input from different sectors in society and helps the institution to detect possible human rights violations. In addition, these regional and international networks and structures may provide a safety net by mobilizing international reaction against governmental attacks on an institution. (Refer also to the Paris Principles)