National human rights institutions should cooperate closely with national authorities and stakeholders in the administration of justice, especially in access to justice, the judiciary, law enforcement and detention facilities (see the Nairobi Declaration on the Administration of Justice). Cooperation with the international human rights system The Paris Principles state that NHRIs should cooperate with the United Nations and with organizations in the United Nations system, in particular the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms (special procedures mandate holders) and universal periodic review.32 This generally means that NHRIs participate in these mechanisms and reviews, and follow up the recommendations at the national level. In addition, NHRIs should actively engage with the International Coordinating Committee. National human rights institutions also perform an important role in the treaty body process by ensuring that the comments and recommendations of treaty bodies are considered and implemented. Because of their practical expertise, they are useful partners in international efforts to define new human rights standards. Cooperation with other NHRIs and regional bodies The Paris Principles require NHRIs to cooperate with the national institutions of other countries.33 Events, conferences and meetings dealing with NHRIs, and the creation of regional associations of NHRIs, are excellent strategies for strengthening cooperation across institutions on specific issues. As noted in chapter I, there are regional networks of NHRIs that operate in all regions of the world. These mechanisms are becoming increasingly active. There are, of course, regional European, American and African human rights systems, too. In July 2009 it was moreover announced that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) would create a regional human rights body called the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights. In addition, regional economic and development institutions, such as ECOWAS and SADC, are also becoming involved in human rights. 5. Protecting and promoting the rights of specific groups While human rights are interdependent and indivisible, NHRIs have special responsibilities to help those least able to help themselves. The rights of specific groups are often contested and controversial. National human rights institutions are often the only ones that can and do speak out in defence of: ■■ Human rights defenders ■■ Indigenous peoples ■■ Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons ■■ Migrant workers See general guidelines in Human Rights Council decision 6/102 on the follow-up to its resolution 5/1, which makes three core references to NHRIs. 33 The Paris Principles, competence and responsibilities, para. 3 (e). 32 25