Introduction The Paris Principles are international standards and serve as minimum conditions that an NHRI must meet to be considered credible by its peers and within the United Nations system. The International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights is an international, independent body that promotes the establishment and strengthening of NHRIs in conformity with the Paris Principles. Learning objectives After reviewing this chapter, the reader will be able to: ■■ Identify each substantive issue that is set out in the Paris Principles; ■■ Identify in general terms the requirements imposed by the Paris Principles with respect to each of these issues; ■■ Describe in general terms the limitations that may apply to an institution’s jurisdiction (subject matter, object matter and timeliness) and determine the degree to which those limitations may be acceptable; ■■ Explain why pluralism is important and how it may be achieved; ■■ Identify the mechanisms through which independence may be promoted and describe how they should operate; ■■ Define the powers that an institution should have with regard to examining any matter, including through investigation; and ■■ Describe the accreditation process. 30