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Importance of national human rights institutions acknowledged
The twentieth session of the Human Rights Council concluded in Geneva this week. It welcomed and reaffirmed the importance of the work undertaken by national human rights institutions (NHRIs) around the world to promote and protect human rights in their respective countries and regions by supporting cooperation between their governments and the United Nations.
New Zealand was one of over 100 member states to co-sponsor the resolution. The UN Secretary-General recognised the contributions that Paris Principles compliant NHRIs have made to the Human Rights Council’s work, as well as to that of other United Nations mechanisms such as the Commission on the Status of Women, the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Open-ended Working Group on Ageing.
The General Assembly endorsed the strengthening of opportunities for NHRIs to potentially participate in the Assembly and also contribute more effectively to the work of the Human Rights Council.
The New Zealand Human Rights Commission, as New Zealand’s accredited ‘A’ status NHRI, works towards the promotion and protection of human rights in Aotearoa.
Associated documents:
- Human Rights Council Resolution A/HRC/20/L.15 (Word 75Kb)
- First of co-sponsoring States at action (Word 85Kb)
