■■ Shares information with NHRIs on specific themes, such as the administration of justice, the rule of law, transitional justice and the prevention of torture; and ■■ Can provide comparative analysis, technical cooperation needs assessments, project formulation and evaluation missions. Quick facts about NHRIs, OHCHR and the United Nations system By June 2010, 67 NHRIs were accredited with “A” status by the International Coordinating Committee, in compliance with the Paris Principles (see annex II). UNDP and OHCHR work with 80+ NHRIs worldwide. Regular NHRI information notes are prepared by the National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Section of OHCHR, with highlights of national, regional and international developments. See www.ohchr.org. Cooperation: OHCHR works with the Agence intergouvernementale de la Francophonie, the Association francophone des Commissions nationales des droits de l’homme, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Council of Europe, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the Federación Iberoamericana del Ombudsman, the Special Fund for Ombudsmen and National Human Rights Institutions of Latin America and the Caribbean, the African Union, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and ECOWAS. In 2007, OHCHR participated in meetings to establish the Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, which now serves to strengthen the capacity of NHRIs to protect and promote human rights in the Commonwealth in cooperation with existing regional NHRI coordinating bodies. The Forum facilitates networking and exchanges between national human rights institutions in different States. For more information, see www.commonwealthnhri.org. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has regional offices in Southern Africa (Pretoria), Eastern Africa (Addis Ababa) and Western Africa (Dakar); Latin America (Santiago and Panama City); the Middle East (Beirut); the Pacific (Suva); South-East Asia (Bangkok); Central Asia (Bishkek); and Europe (Brussels). OHCHR is also responsible for the Sub-regional Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa (Yaoundé). These offices continue to provide advice and assistance for the establishment and strengthening of NHRIs. The United Nations Development Programme and OHCHR have been increasingly involved in the establishment and/or strengthening of NHRIs, and engagement with NHRIs has become a priority for both. Some key initiatives include: ■■ The United Nations Human Rights Policy Network (HuriTalk), an electronic discussion board on human rights initiated by UNDP. The electronic discussion also focuses on the roles and shared responsibilities of OHCHR and UNDP. ■■ Interaction with UNCTs: United Nations country teams operate in States marked by human rights problems and NHRIs can play a crucial role in improving the human rights situation. In April 2007, OHCHR issued an information note on how United Nations Resident Coordinators can facilitate the establishment or strengthening of NHRIs.15 Several positive responses from different regions of the world have led to a number of joint activities being discussed. Available from http://www.osce.org/documents/odihr/2007/07/25616_en.pdf (accessed 6 October 2010). 15 9