A. T he P aris P rinciples An NHRI should have the authority to “submit to the Government, parliament or any other competent body, on an advisory basis either at the request of the authorities concerned or through the exercise of its power to hear a matter without higher referral, opinions, recommendations, proposals and reports and any matters concerning the promotion and protection of human rights…”. The constitutional provision and/or law that sets out an institution’s powers should specifically allow it to make recommendations on its own initiative to ensure independence of action. In addition to general advisory responsibilities to the Government and parliament at large, the NHRI also provides advice to specific ministries, departments and committees and to all relevant authorities. For example, in the case of a particular policy and practice resulting from the application of a decision taken in one ministry, the NHRI may consider it most appropriate to direct its recommendation to that ministry. If a law, policy or practice reflects a governmental initiative, the institution may find it appropriate to provide recommendations relating to these directly to the Government. These responsibilities are over and above the accountability of the institution to parliament through regular reporting. 103