Human Rights Commission

The International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (ICC) is a representative body of national human rights institutions from all parts of the globe.

Its aim is to assist in establishing and strengthening independent and effective National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), which meet the international standards set out in the Paris Principles.

The ICC encourages joint activities and cooperation among NHRIs; organises international conferences; contributes to the United Nations and other international organisations; assists NHRIs under threat; and, where requested, assists governments to establish NHRIs.

NHRIs which comply fully with the Paris Principles granted ‘A status’ by the ICC Bureau are eligible to become voting members of the ICC and to hold governance positions. The New Zealand Human Rights Commission holds ‘A’ status.

NHRIs which only partially comply with the Paris Principles – and which have been granted ‘B status’ by the ICC Bureau – can participate in meetings of the ICC but are not eligible to vote or to hold governance positions.

Read the ICC information leaflet or download a PDF version in English, French, Spanish or Arabic (PDF).

ICC Bureau

The operations of the ICC are managed by ICC Bureau, which is comprised of representatives from each of the four regional groupings: Africa, Americas, Europe and the Asia Pacific.

Each regional grouping is represented by elected representatives from four ‘A status’ NHRIs. The APF is currently represented on the ICC Bureau by New Zealand, Jordan, Malaysia and India.

A key role of the ICC Bureau is to assess applications for membership of the ICC, as well as determine the accreditation status of NHRIs.

The ICC Bureau also collaborates with the UN Office of the High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR) , in particular the National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Unit, to facilitate the participation of NHRIs in the United Nations Human Rights Council.

ICC International Conference

The ICC Biennial Conference involves NHRIs, as well as representatives of United Nations agencies, international organisations and civil society.

The purpose of the Biennial Conference is to strengthen cooperation between NHRIs, to discuss human rights issues of shared concern and to ensure follow-up at the national level.

Since 1991 the International Conference has been held every two years, alternating between Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Asia Pacific.

Edinburgh 2010

The Scottish Human Rights Commission hosted the 10th International Conference of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in October 2010.

Delegates from over 80 countries attended. Participants included national human rights institutions (NHRIs) represenatives, international and regional experts, United Nations officials, government representatives, civil society and business organisations to discuss human rights issues. The theme was Business and Human Rights, and the role national institutions can play in improving human rights in a globalised world.

Read Rosslyn’s opening statement (French, Spanish and Arabic).

Office holders

The positions of ICC Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson are served on a rotational basis by representatives nominated by the four regional coordinating committees: Europe, Africa, the Americas and the Asia Pacific.

The current ICC Chairperson is Rosslyn Noonan, Chief Commissioner of the New Zealand Human Rights Commission, representing the Asia Pacific.

Read Rosslyn’s acceptance speech delivered in Geneva, March 2010 (also availabe in French, Spanish and Arabic).

Secretariat

The National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Unit of the OHCHR acts as ICC Secretariat.

Geneva based representative

The ICC has a permanent representative, currently Katharina Rose, in Geneva to support and facilitate the participation of NHRIs in the UN Human Rights Council and its human rights mechanisms.