D. The Paris Principles in the context of the Convention

An international workshop of national human rights institutions, held in Paris in 1991, first drafted the Principles relating to the status and functioning of national institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights, known today as the Paris Principles.

Article 33 (2) of the Convention requires State parties to take these Principles into account when designating or establishing mechanisms to promote, protect and monitor its implementation. With reference to the Convention, the Paris Principles would raise the following questions:

Competence and responsibilities

In general terms:

In relation to specific responsibilities:

Composition and guarantees of independence and pluralism

Methods of operation

Additional principles concerning the status of commissions with quasi-jurisdictional competence

An optional principle relates to the authorization of a mechanism to hear and consider complaints and petitions concerning individual situations, such as claims that the rights of a person with a disability have been breached. Where this option is granted, the power of the mechanism should be based on four principles:

For the Paris Principles to apply fully to the national framework under article 33, it is essential to ensure access to justice. In this connection, article 13 requires States to:

Accessibility considerations and accommodation can relate for instance to: