UNDP-OHCHR TOOLKIT For example: •• An investigation may lead an NHRI to recommend a particular action to redress a violation or to avert further violations; or •• A research study may show that action is required to strengthen human rights efforts in particular areas, or monitoring may reveal that national standards are being misapplied locally and that better control mechanisms are required. The Paris Principles also specifically require institutions to promote the adoption of laws that will incorporate or “transform” international norms into domestic law. In this regard, NHRIs will generally have the responsibility to: 11 Promote and ensure the harmonisation of national legislation, regulations and practice with the international instruments to which the State is a party; 11 Encourage ratification of human rights treaties; 11 Contribute to the reports which States are required to submit to UN mechanisms (treaty bodies, special procedures and UPR), or to regional bodies; and 11 Encourage the removal of reservations, if any. Training should be undertaken for all law enforcement officers – police, army, prison officials – as well as those involved in the judicial process. Such training should be cooperative and continuous and geared towards the organisations themselves developing permanent training curricula. One approach would be to start with one organisation – for example, the police – and using lessons learned from that to adapt and proceed to other organisations involved in law enforcement. NHRIs can further their work in these areas by undertaking public awarenessraising on complaints procedures against the police. 3.3.2 Cooperating with National Stakeholders 3.3.2.1 Civil Society The Paris Principles require NHRIs to assure pluralism: this includes not only internal governance (for example, ensuring diversity among commissioners and staff ), but also mechanisms that “enable effective cooperation”. The Principles require NHRIs to maintain ties with other bodies active in the human rights area, particularly with NGOs that work in the promotion and protection of human rights.4 Their goal, in short, is to ensure that internationally recognised rights find a home within national legislation, regulation and practice. The requirements of maintaining ties and cooperation should be made clear and NHRIs should be encouraged and supported in meeting these responsibilities. 3.3.1 Working with Security Forces and Law Enforcement Officials 3.3.2.2 Other Institutions Although issues will vary from country to country, protecting human rights in many countries depends on how law enforcement and security bodies do their work. Areas of protection that are relevant for NHRIs working with law enforcement and security include the following that are drawn from the: Nairobi Declaration on the Administration of Justice, adopted at the Ninth International Conference of National Human Rights Institutions (Nairobi, Kenya, 21-24 October 2008). FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE RULE OF LAW, ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND CORE PROTECTION ISSUES, CAN BE FOUND IN CHAPTER 4. The Paris Principles state that NHRIs should consult with other bodies responsible for human rights protection and promotion. This may include “classic” ombudsman offices dealing with citizen’s complaints about State, special mediators, other institutions,5 and government departments that are responsible for women or children, for example. This may not always be easy. Indeed, the proliferation of such bodies – children’s ombudsman offices, gender commissions, anti-corruption bodies, and so on that has occurred as States seek to address one issue or another can be bewildering. Difficulties may arise if there is overlapping jurisdiction between the NHRI and other independent institutions, including specialized bodies such as gender equality commissions, ombudsman offices and the like. It should be noted that the requirement to maintain ties and cooperate with other organisations applies to all members of civil society, including religious institutions and leaders, community service organisations, trade unions, the media and various associations and educational bodies. 4 Paris Principles, Methods of Operation (f). 5 36