CHAPTER 4: THE RULE OF LAW AND THE CORE PROTECTION MANDATE 11 Periodic site inspections (announced and unannounced) of police stations and prisons, in close partnership with other independent structures tasked with this role and law enforcement and other national authorities, encouraging them to take appropriate, prompt action; 11 Legislative proposals on the setting up of accountability mechanisms, monitoring systems to ensure their application and internal investigation procedures and sanctions; 11 Monitoring and reporting on alleged cases of corruption in the police and security forces; 11 Assistance in vetting processes (through the provision of confidential information on past human rights violations - for serious abuses there are no time limits - the violators, as well as cases of corruption and abuse of authority); and 11 Encouraging fair remuneration and working conditions for law enforcement and ecurity personnel. 4.3 Core Protection The importance of effective human rights protection cannot be over-emphasised, nor can the risk of losing credibility if a NHRI fails to demonstrate results in the area of its core protection mandate. The effectiveness of NHRIs’ work in the core protection mandate is its mostscrutinised function. The OHCHR especially supports NHRIs regarding: 11 General activities relating to the prevention of torture, summary executions and arbitrary detention; 11 Complaints 11 Detention from detainees; monitoring; and 11 General activities relating to the protection of human rights defenders. OHCHR prioritises support to NHRIs for core protection issues, as these issues are among the most important elements for NHRI credibility at both the national and international levels. QUICK FACTS ABOUT NHRIS AND CORE PROTECTION ACTIVITIES In a survey undertaken by the OHCHR, over 80% of NHRI respondents indicated that they are indeed carrying out activities relating to the prevention of torture and ill-treatment, including by visiting places of detention and receiving complaints from detainees. Nevertheless, the quantity and quality of this work appears varied. Furthermore, only two thirds of the responses had dedicated activities for human rights defenders. The level of activity in this area was notably lower among European NHRIs. Source: OHCHR, Survey of National Human Rights Institutions: Report on the Findings and Recommendations of a Questionnaire Addressed to NHRIs Worldwide. 2009. www.nhri.net. The following table contains an overview of some of the key core protection areas requiring particular attention: TABLE 2: KEY RIGHTS LINKED TO CORE PROTECTION MANDATE 11 11 Arrest, freedom from arbitrary Arrest, right to be informed of reasons for 11 11 11 Assembly, freedom of 11 11 Association, freedom of 11 Derogations, from fundamental rights & freedoms 11 11 Detention, freedom from arbitrary Detention, right to be treated humanely Habeas corpus Legal rights (trial and court procedure) Life, right to 11 Movement, freedom of 11 Presumption of innocence 11 Remedy, access to justice 11 Retroactive laws, prohibition against 11 Servitude, right to be free from 11 Slavery, right to be free from 11 Torture, protection against 55