UNDP-OHCHR TOOLKIT Implementing legislation: Law(s) that incorporate an international agreement into the domestic law of a party to the agreement. Information systems: Information systems are the, often computer-based, systems that are used to record and process data. Information systems, specifically databases, can contribute to automating certain aspects of data processing by identifying patterns and trends in data. They are powerful tools that may, for instance, assist NHRIs in identifying which cases to investigate and in creating a “fact base” for a specific type of case and its investigation. International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions (ICC): The ICC coordinates the activities of the NHRI network. It encourages joint activities and cooperation among NHRIs, serves as liaison with the United Nations and other international organizations, and assists governments to establish institutions in conformity with the Paris Principles. The meetings organized by the ICC and its regional counterparts afford an excellent opportunity to enhance cooperation between NHRIs. The ICC was established by NHRIs at the International Conference held in Tunis in 1993 with the aim to coordinate the activities of the NHRI network. In 1998, rules of procedures were developed and its membership was enlarged to 16 members, four from each of the geographical regions. In 2008, the ICC was incorporated under Swiss law, with a Bureau of 16 voting members representing the four regions of the ICC. The ICC also adopted the ICC Statute as a basis for the incorporation. International human rights law: International human rights law is formed by the codification of legal provisions governing human rights in various international human rights instruments. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is generally agreed to mark the beginning of the modern International Human Rights Law era. International humanitarian law: A set of rules that, for humanitarian reasons, attempts to limit the effects of armed conflict. It restricts the means and methods employed in warfare and seeks to protect individuals who are not or who have ceased to participate in the conflict. The majority of existing international humanitarian law rules are codified in the Geneva Conventions and their protocols. International humanitarian law is also known as the law of war or the law of armed conflict. International instruments: This term refers to any and all of the legal documents that together embody the ideals, principles and norms of international law. xvi International law: International law, or the law of nations, refers to the legal system that governs relationships between different states. It is contained in agreements between states, such as treaties or conventions, customary rules and general principles. International law also refers to the law of international relations, which encompasses the relationship between nations, international organizations, and individuals. Justiciability: A justiciable case is one that can be brought before the courts and in which a remedy can be sought and obtained. Justiciability is a key feature of a right. It also refers to the ability to use a human rights standard before the courts or to enforce such rights more generally. The justiciability of economic, social and cultural rights has been a contentious issue for years. Knowledge management (KM): Knowledge Planning requires research and data, and these in turn require effective information systems to capture, manage and use the data. This group of activities is often collectively called “knowledge management.” Knowledge management capacity is especially important for an NHRI’s ability to generate and analyze disaggregated data. Effective knowledge management systems are directly linked to the institution’s ability to link strategic planning objectives to institutional performance and to programme evaluation, starting with information required to understand the baseline situation and to track indicators. Effective knowledge management can, over time, help to identify national trends through situation monitoring, and support the identification of strategic approaches. They also support decisions for NHRI resource allocation activities such as investigations, policy development and thematic reports on substantive areas of human rights law. Legal rights: Rights that are laid down in law and can be defended and brought before courts of law. Legislative review: The process of evaluating existing or proposed legislation. Life, right to: Individuals are protected under international law from being arbitrarily deprived of his or her life by the state. Art 6(1) ICCPR guarantees this inherent right to life. Prohibitions against corporal punishment, the abolition of the death penalty, criminalization of torture, and the right to seek pardon provide further safeguards. The right is also upheld by Art. 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.