The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions 2. THE ROLE OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS NHRIs are uniquely placed to operate as a bridge between the international human rights system and the on-the-ground reality experienced by indigenous peoples. NHRIs are a vital part of strong national human rights protection system and play a key role in linking international standards with domestic protection. There are significant differences between the structure and functions of different NHRIs. This reflects the distinct domestic contexts in which NHRIs operate. However, the Paris Principles provide a broad normative framework from which NHRIs undertake their specific programmes of work. It is through this framework that NHRIs can work to advance the protection, promotion and realization of indigenous peoples’ human rights. PARIS PRINCIPLES Competence and responsibilities 1. A national institution shall be vested with competence to promote and protect human rights. 2. A national institution shall be given as broad a mandate as possible, which shall be clearly set forth in a constitutional or legislative text, specifying its composition and its sphere of competence. 3. 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 appropriate in order to ensure that these provisions conform to the fundamental principles of human rights; it shall, if necessary, recommend the adoption of new legislation, the amendment of legislation in force and the adoption or amendment of administrative measures (ii) Any situation of violation of human rights which it decides to take up (iii) The preparation of reports on the national situation with regard to human rights in general, and on more specific matters (iv) Drawing the attention of the Government to situations in any part of the country where human rights are violated and making proposals to it for initiatives to put an end to such situations and, where necessary, expressing an opinion on the positions and reactions of the Government (b) To promote and ensure the harmonization of national legislation regulations and practices with the international human rights instruments to which the State is a party, and their effective implementation 40 | Chapter 5: The implementation of the Declaration