Guidebook WAYS TO PROMOTE CHANGE 3. WAYS TO PROMOTE CHANGE 3.1. Raising awareness among the general public/ Campaigns/Press Work/Press release Key points 1 2 NHRIs should promote the universal applicability of human rights standards to all persons. Often the biggest challenge in the promotion and protection of procedural rights is that suspects and accused are seen only as subjects of ‘ordinary criminal law’ but not as human rights holders. In these cases, NHRIs should take part in the public debate and contribute to a necessary cultural change, through awareness raising, education activities and should make use of all press organs and a broad range of media. NHRI should use all tools provided for by domestic and international law to promote procedural rights and advocate for a change in the law and practice where necessary. To this aim, NHRIs could: »» »» »» »» 3 Issue opinions on laws and practice Challenge the constitutionality of laws Conduct research and inquiries Provide training and capacity building NHRIs should make full use of EU laws and procedures to promote and protect human rights. EU law has become an important source of human rights standards and EU NHRIs should more strategically look into the opportunities that EU laws and procedure offer to promote and protect human rights. PARIS PRINCIPLES 3(g) To publicize human rights and efforts to combat all forms of discrimination, in particular racial discrimination, by increasing public awareness, especially through information and education and by making use of all press organs. NHRIs should promote the universal applicability of human rights standards to all persons. 284 Frequently difficulties are encountered in the promotion of the rights of suspects and accused – especially by the broader public opinion – as suspects and accused are seen only as subjects of ‘ordinary criminal law’ but not as human rights holders; hence, there is a risk that those rights are forgotten. 285 Due to their broad mandate, NHRIs are ideally placed to stand up for those whose rights are neglected and would otherwise have ‘no lobby’. Moreover, with their expertise, NHRIs may offer valuable support to human rights bodies with specialised mandate (e.g. with OPCAT or CRPD mandate) in promoting human rights through education and awareness raising.286 As also stated by the SPT “Needless to say, coordination between the national human rights institution and the national preventive mechanism could be very beneficial and joint advocacy and awareness raising campaigns could be envisaged in order to collect funds and explain the nature of each entity’s work, particularly the fact that the mandates of the two entities are complimentary. […]”287 Joint advocacy may also be particularly powerful. For example, the French NPMs and NHRIs have issued joints press releases to reinforce their message and authority vis-à-vis the State authorities.288 In addition to being present in the media and press, NHRIs can strongly contribute to increase public awareness by means of public campaigns. A positive example to be mentioned is the campaign “Torture-free State” conducted by the Polish NHRI. 66 67