UNDP-OHCHR TOOLKIT KEY MESSAGES 11The rule of law is a basic feature of functioning legal systems in democracies. NHRIs have a role in strengthening the rule of law and the administration of justice, particularly in the areas of administration of justice and judicial institutions, police and security forces, and prisons. 11The 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. 11In-country experience shows that some NHRIs are not addressing these issues to the extent that they could. This chapter provides strategies to address these issues. Annex 1 also provides a range of strategies across each area of the protection mandate. 11NHRIs should be especially vigilant in core protection work involving specific groups. 11NHRIs are expected to become even more involved and visible as potential national preventive mechanisms engaged in the prevention of torture with the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. TOOLS IN THIS CHAPTER Annex 1: “Core Protection Issues and Potential Activities for NHRI Involvement.”, Case Study: The UNDP, human rights and the Commission on Human Rights in the Philippines (CHR), 63 Figure 1: Complaints Statistics Torture and Ill-treatment, 58 Figure 2: Number of detention visits in 2008, 59 Nairobi Declaration on the Administration of Justice, OHCHR, Survey of National Human Rights Institutions: Report on the Findings and Recommendations of a Questionnaire Addressed to NHRIs Worldwide. 2009. www.nhri.net, Quick facts about NHRIs and core Protection activities, 64 67 54 56 55 Quick facts about NHRIs and protecting human rights defenders, 60 Quick facts about NHRIs detention monitoring, 59 Scenario: Is the NHRI Focusing on Core Protection Issues?, 62 Standing Instructions for NHRIs Monitoring Places of Detention, Table 1: Strenthening the Rule of Law, 53 Table 2: Key Rights Linked To Core Protection Mandate, 55 Table 3: NHRIs and Torture Prevention, 57 Table 4: NHRIs and Detention Monitoring, 59 UN Security Council Resolution 1820 S/RES/1820 (2008), 61