2013 ANNI Report on the Performance and Establishment of National Human Rights Institutions in Asia

National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) have become increasingly prominent actors in the national, regional and international human rights arenas. When able to operate independently and effectively, they are important mechanisms that constitute an effective complement to the judiciary and other institutions in the national infrastructure tasked with the promotion and protection of human rights.

2012 (and significant events in the first half of 2013) represented a litmus test for many NHRIs in the region. There were significant events for Asian states: such as budding attempts towards democratic transition; and states that faced internal conflict or communal violence, among others. Often, this involved the complicity of state actors, which renders the fight against impunity a formidable challenge.

This report includes a chapter entitled “Lost in Transition” that looks at the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission […]

Presentation on Recent Developments on Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) Complaints Handling, Investigations and Cooperation with the Special Procedures of the United Nations

A presentation by Win Mra on developments with the MNHRC in 2012, as well as how protection works through the MNHRC’s complaints handling mechanism and the difficulties that are impeding the progress in this aspect […]

2012 ANNI Report on the Performance and Establishment of National Human Rights Institutions in Asia

The past couple of years have seen an increasing international recognition of the role of NHRIs in the promotion and protection of human rights. A growing number of Asian countries have either recently established or are considering the establishment of NHRIs, including in Burma, where the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) was set up in September 2011. Meanwhile the UN Human Rights Council on 16 June 2011 adopted a resolution on “National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights” – the first-ever Human Rights Council resolution to focus specifically on the work of NHRIs.

The resolution acknowledges the significant role of NHRIs in the promotion and protection of human rights at national level, as well as their important role in the Human Rights Council, and calls for further cooperation with regional coordinating bodies of NHRIs. These developments are set against the backdrop of a general deterioration in the situation of human rights in many countries in Asia. This can be seen, for example, in the adoption of various repressive laws such as national security laws […]

EU Program to Help the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission Must Ensure Substantive Changes

Burma Partnership welcomes the announcement by Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative, to launch a programme to help the MNHRC. However, the EU’s support to the MNHRC must not be limited to increasing the skills of its personnel or it would only legitimize a dysfunctional institution that will best serve the government rather than the people of Burma. The EU must engage in a restructuring of the MNHRC to ensure it becomes an independent, transparent and effective institution.

In this short briefer, Burma Partnership presents recommendations to the EU to ensure its program brings substantive changes to the MNHRC to truly make it independent, transparent and accessible to victims of human rights violations […]

Activities of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (5 September 2011 to 31 January 2012)

This report details the activities of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission since it’s creation on 5 September 2011 until 31 January 2012. The report includes details on the formation of the commission and its members, the mandate of the commission, the funding and the functioning of the commission. It also provides information on the handling of complaints, statements and other activities of the commission […]

Burma’s NHRC: An Empty Gesture (updated version)

The international community should not welcome the creation of Burma’s NHRC until it complies with the Paris Principles

On 5 September, Burma’s regime announced that it had established a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) charged with promoting and safeguarding the fundamental rights of citizens in accordance with the 2008 Constitution.

While the creation of a NHRC could be seen as a positive step, it should be welcomed with skepticism […]

UNDP-OHCHR Toolkit for Collaboration with National Human Rights Institutions

The United Nations Development Programme and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have developed this practical guide for UN staff on how best to support National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) with policy advice, technical assistance, and capacity development support from the pre-establishment phase. It includes information on country planning processes and capacity assessments, identifies challenges and opportunities NHRIs may encounter, and suggests how to deal with situations which threaten to undermine their effectiveness […]

National Human Rights Institutions: History, Principles, Roles and Responsibilities

This publication introduces the reader to national human rights institutions (NHRIs). Its focus is on NHRIs as both cornerstones of national human rights protection and promotion, and links between States and the international human rights system. It is part of a professional training series that consists of handbooks and manuals intended to raise awareness of international standards […]

Assessing the Effectiveness of National Human Rights Commissions

In 2000, the International Council published Performance & Legitimacy: National human rights institutions. National institutions had multiplied during the 1990s and the report looked at what made them effective and successful.

Five years later, despite unfavourable developments in the international human rights environment, the growth of national institutions is unchecked. The present report revisits the issue of effectiveness and examines how national institutions might improve their performance and impact by using benchmarks and indicators to assess their work […]

The Paris Principles

The full text of the resolution entitled “National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights”, which established the Paris Principles (see Annex). These principles are the minimum conditions that must be met for a National Human Rights Institution to be considered independent and effective in protecting and promoting the rights of the people […]