Switzerland also held a day of discussions with NGOs before submitting its UPR report to the UN Human Rights Council. This procedure will be repeated before submitting the next report within four years. Involving human rights defenders in the work of NHRIs and ombudsman institutions As prescribed by the Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions (or Paris Principles),206 NHRIs should engage a wide variety of individuals in their work.207 This allows the voices of many types of defenders to be heard regularly in a specialized body. A properly independent NHRI, with its expertise and standing, is a very useful consultation mechanism for defenders, as they are able to make joint appeals through a recognized, respected public body. It should be noted that this type of consultation should be performed in addition to, and not as a replacement for, other forms of consultation. An example is the Office of the Ombudsman of the Russian Federation, which has an expert council of defenders who hold regular meetings and discussions.208 Slovenia: Example of Involving Defenders in the Work of NHRIs209 Slovenia’ s human rights ombudsman started a project in January 2008 based on the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture, whereby two NGOs were chosen to participate in joint monitoring visits to detention facilities. A joint report is written about each visit, and another joint report will be written about the project as a whole at the end of 2008. This sort of co-operation means a variety of views and experiences are taken into account in monitoring activities. Involving NHRIs in the legislative process Another way to ensure that defenders’ voices are heard is to codify the right of NHRIs to contribute to the legislative process, in line with the Paris Principles.210 NHRIs, 206 “ Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions” , UN General Assembly, Resolution 48/134, U.N. Doc. A/RES/48/134, 20 December 1993. 207 Ibid., article 1 under ‘Composition and guarantees of independence and pluralism’ : “ The composition of the national institution and the appointment of its members, whether by means of an election or otherwise, shall be established in accordance with a procedure which affords all necessary guarantees to ensure the pluralist representation of the social forces (of civilian society) involved in the promotion and protection of human rights, particularly by powers which will enable effective cooperation to be established with, or through the presence of, representatives of: (a) Nongovernmental organizations responsible for human rights and efforts to combat racial discrimination, trade unions, concerned social and professional organizations, for example, associations of lawyers, doctors, journalists and eminent scientists; (b) Trends in philosophical or religious thought; (c) Universities and qualified experts; (d) Parliament; (e) Government departments (if these are included, their representatives should participate in the deliberations only in an advisory capacity).” 208 Russia’ s response to ODIHR’ s questionnaire, 9 July 2008. 209 Slovenia’ s response to ODIHR’ s questionnaire, 1 July 2008. 210 Paris Principles, op. cit., note 206, art. 3 under “ Competence and responsibilities” : “ A national institution shall, inter alia, have the following responsibilities: (a) To submit to the Government, Parliament and 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 on any matters concerning the promotion and protection of human rights; the national institution may decide to publicize them; these opinions, recommendations, proposals and reports, as well as any prerogative of the national institution, shall relate to the following areas: (i) Any legislative or administrative provisions, as well as provisions relating to judicial organizations, intended to preserve and extend the protection of human rights; in that connection, the national institution shall examine the legislation and administrative provisions in force, as well as bills and proposals, and shall make such recommendations as it deems 46