Principle Requirements METHODS OF OPERATION (examination of issues) The institution can consider any issue within its competence on its own initiative on the proposal of its members or any petitioner The institution can hear any person or obtain any information or documents necessary to carry out its work The right to hear any person and obtain any document is enforceable by law The right to enter any premises to further an investigation is set out in law Obstruction in obtaining, or denial of, access to a person, document or premises is punishable by law The institution has the legal authority to enter and monitor any place of detention The institution can enter the place of detention without notice The institution can let the public know its opinions or recommendations, including through the media, without higher approval The institution meets regularly and in plenary Special meetings can be convened as necessary All members are officially convened for meetings The institution can set up working groups (which may contain non-NHRI members) The institution can set up regional or local offices METHODS OF OPERATION (meetings) METHODS OF OPERATION (organizational structure) METHODS OF OPERATION (consultation) Y N The institution consults with other bodies responsible for promoting and protecting human rights The institution consults with NGOs working in human rights or related fields The institution carries out joint programming with NGOs working in human rights or related fields especially in awareness-raising and education Conclusion The Paris Principles are the international normative framework for NHRIs. They provide benchmarks against which NHRIs legitimacy can be assessed. It is important, therefore, that those involved in institutions, and those involved in creating and strengthening them, fully appreciate the letter and the spirit of the Paris Principles. The Paris Principles are not always as clear as they might be, and represent a set of minimum expectations. Nonetheless, especially when interpreted generously and in keeping with international rights norms generally, they are an important development in the national and international human rights system. 53