UNDP-OHCHR TOOLKIT a priority area.13 Likewise, in line with their respective mandates, other UN agencies, funds and programmes have carried out activities in this realm. It undertakes and facilitates comparative analyses, technical cooperation needs assessments, project formulation and evaluation missions. For example, the First Global Meeting of Independent Human Rights Institutions for Children organized by UNICEF in 2002 and the UNESCO Strategy on Human Rights set the organisational goal of strengthening partnerships and collaboration with NHRIs. This has brought with it many substantive and operational challenges that UN agencies have to confront and address as they continue to support NHRIs to enhance their legitimacy and to become more effective, efficient, coordinated and coherent. According to a recent resolution of the General Assembly, the OHCHR was commended for its work on national institutions, and the High Commissioner was encouraged, “in view of the expanded activities relating to national institutions, to ensure that appropriate arrangements are made and budgetary resources provided to continue and further extend activities in support of national human rights institutions, and invites Governments to contribute additional voluntary funds to that end”: The OHCHR works worldwide with NHRIs, including in cooperation with UNDP and UN Country Teams to support NHRIs. There is an emphasis on core protection issues linked to civil and political rights, such as the prevention of torture and degrading treatment, summary executions, arbitrary detention and disappearances, or the protection of human rights defenders. NHRIs can, and should, play a role in advancing all aspects of the rule of law, including with regard to the judiciary, law enforcement agencies and the correctional system.14 Source: General Assembly Resolution 63/172. “National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights” (March 20, 2009). More details on the supporting NHRIs through the pre-establishment, establishment and consolidation phases are provided in Chapters 7, 8, and 9. The National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Section (NIRM Section) is the main entry point for OHCHR’s efforts to establish and strengthen NHRIs, as well as for cooperation with NHRIs. The OHCHR’s engagement strategy for NHRIs includes: QUICK FACTS ABOUT NHRIS AND THE UN SYSTEM 11 Country 11 As of June 2009, 66 NHRIs were accredited with engagement: supports to States to establish or strengthen NHRIs in accordance with the Paris Principles; “A” status by the ICC, under the auspices of the OHCHR, in compliance with the Paris Principles. Summaries of NHRIs that have undergone accreditation in the past are all available through http://www.nhri.net. 11 Leadership: strengthens NHRI capacity to work effectively and independently; 11 Interaction with the UN human rights system: supports an effective interaction between NHRIs and Treaty Bodies, and mechanisms such as Special Procedures and the Universal Periodic Review; 11 Partnership within the UN system: mainstreaming of the work of NHRIs throughout the whole UN system. 11 The UNDP and the OHCHR work with 80+ national institutions worldwide, many of which are Paris Principle-complaint NHRIs. 11 Regular The OHCHR works at the global, country and regional levels in consultation with the geographic sections and field presences of OHCHR. At the request of Member States, tailored advice is provided to countries on: NHRI Information Notes are prepared by the NIRM Section of the OHCHR, providing highlights of national, regional and international issues on NHRIs. More information can be obtained from http://www.nhri.net or from the NIRM Section of the OHCHR at http://www.ohchr. org/EN/Countries/NHRI/Pages/NHRIMain.aspx. 11 Appropriate constitutional or legislative frameworks regarding the establishment of NHRIs. 11 The nature, functions, powers, and responsibilities of NHRIs. See for example the UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2008-2011 and the OHCHR’s Strategic Management Plan 2008-2009. 13 See the Secretary-General “National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights”. Report of the Secretary-General. A/64/320. 64th Session. 24 August 2009 at. para. 99. 14 8