ANNEXES 117 Annex 2: Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions (The Paris Principles) Adopted by United Nations General Assembly resolution 48/134 of 20 December 1993 A. Competence and responsibilities 1 . A national institution shall be vested with competence to protect and promote human rights. 2. A national institution shall be given as broad a mandate as possible, which shall be clearly set forth in a constitutional or legislative text, specifying its composition and its sphere of competence. 3. A national institution shall, inter alia, have the following responsibilities: (a) To submit to the government, parliament and any other competent body, on an advisory basis either at the request of the authorities concerned or through the exercise of its power to hear a matter without higher referral, opinions, recommendations, proposals and reports on any matters concerning the protection and promotion of human rights. The national institution may decide to publicize them. These opinions, recommendations, proposals and reports, as well as any prerogative of the national institution, shall relate to the following areas: