GANHRI and Paris Principles

India’s National Human Rights Commission had retained it’s “A” status of accreditation by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) for fourth consecutive term. Such accreditation is given to those human rights institutions, which after rigorous process of review every five years are found fully compliant with UN-mandated Paris Principles. NHRC had got this accreditation in 1999 for the first time and has retained the status in 2006 and 2011 reviews.

GANHRI

GANHRI (formerly International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions) is a global network of national human rights institutions (NHRIs). It coordinates the relationship between NHRIs and the United Nations human rights system. It is unique as the only non-UN body whose internal accreditation system, based on compliance with the 1993 Paris Principles, grants access to UN committees.

Paris Principles

Paris Principles were adopted by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1993. They requires human right commissions to protect human rights, including by receiving, investigating and resolving complaints, mediating conflicts and monitoring activities. They also promote human rights, through education, outreach, media, publications, training and capacity building, as well as advising and assisting government. According to Paris Principles, human right commissions should have autonomy from government, independence guaranteed by statute or constitution, pluralism, adequate resources and adequate powers of investigation. The Paris Principles provide international benchmarks against which NHRIs can be accredited by the GANHRI.