Guidebook WAYS TO PROMOTE CHANGE Some NHRIs can also lodge an appeal requesting an authentic interpretation to the competent authority (i.e. either the Constitutional Court or the Supreme Court). The instrument may be particularly useful to solve divergences of interpretation on specific legal provisions.312 Our research, however, did not reveal any case in which this tool was used in the context of the rights of suspects and accused. Austria 3.3. More specifically, NHRIs can conduct thematic research into a systemic human rights problem. This was for example done by the Hungarian NHRI. Research and inquiries PARIS PRINCIPLES Hungary (3)(a)(iii) The preparation of reports on the national situation with regard to human rights in general, and on more specific matters; In 2012 the Hungarian NHRI conducted a thematic research focusing on the right of access to a lawyer.320 The investigation covered a number of specific aspects of this right, such as the legal aid system, the training system, disciplinary procedures against defence lawyers, or the circumstances of consultation between clients and lawyers.321 In this framework, interviews were conducted with representatives of the Hungarian and regional Bar Associations, the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice, the Chief Prosecutor’s Office, the National Police Headquarters, the National Penitentiary Headquarters and the Hungarian Helsinki Committee.322 The findings shed light on various concerns, such as the failure of the investigative authorities to duly and promptly notify defence lawyers about the interrogation that prevented proper consultation with the client before the interrogation.323 Years later in 2017 relevant provisions were enacted to guarantee the enforcement of these rights, and the reports issued by the Ombudsperson provided useful information sources to the Codification Committee.324 The Paris Principles urges NHRIs to prepare reports on the national situation and also other domestic human rights bodies under a specialised mandate could conduct research and inquiries.313 However, research by NHRIs specifically in the context of procedural rights is scarce. Only the Polish NHRI has indicated to have conducted research on all the procedural rights in analysis,314 e.g., the procedural rights of suspects and accused in the field of the right of access to a lawyer, legal aid315 and persons suspected and accused with psychosocial and/or intellectual disabilities.316 Although research and inquiries are not done on regular basis in the context of procedural rights, some examples can be named nevertheless. Estonia The Estonian NHRI, together with an inter-organisational team,317 has composed guidelines for children, young people and parents about their rights and duties in communicating with the police.318 74 In Austria, a specific multi-disciplinary team under the auspices of the Austrian NHRI is currently advocating and researching on the topic of medical examination and quality of expert opinions in the context of the rights of persons with psychosocial and/or intellectual disabilities.319 In addition to this positive development, the thematic investigation of 2012 impacted the system of appointment of defence counsels. One of the major findings of the investigation was that defence counsels should not be appointed by the proceeding authorities and this goal has been achieved.325 75

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