A Manual on National Human Rights Institutions 3.4.3. Broad functions69 The Paris Principles list a large number of specific functions that NHRIs should perform. The Paris Principles call these functions “responsibilities”, indicating that the functions are essential to the character and work of NHRIs. These responsibilities include: • advising and making recommendations to governments, parliaments and “any other competent body” on any matter concerning human rights, including advising and recommending on legislation, administrative provisions, human rights situations and situations of human rights violations70 • promoting harmonisation of national laws and policies with international human rights obligations • encouraging ratification and implementation of international human rights treaties71 • contributing to State reports to international and regional human rights mechanisms • cooperating and engaging with international and regional human rights mechanisms and other NHRIs72 • promoting research on and teaching of human rights • promotion generally of human rights values and standards, through public awareness and education programs and activities.73 3.4.4. Adequate powers74 NHRIs require the powers necessary to perform their functions effectively. The Paris Principles set out some of those powers: • to initiate inquiries and investigations • to take evidence • to obtain documents and information • to make public statements and to publicise reports, findings and recommendations • to undertake consultations • to cooperate with other State institutions, including courts, and with NGOs.75 The specific powers listed in the Paris Principles do not include the power to enter premises, including prisons and detention centres, for the purpose of inspection and investigation. A power to enter premises, however, is a necessary means for NHRIs to exercise their broader responsibilities under the Paris Principles. 3.4.5. Adequate resources76 The Paris Principles require that NHRIs have “infrastructure which is suited to the smooth conduct of [their] activities”.77 Infrastructure is not limited to funding. It includes all that NHRIs require to perform their functions and discharge their responsibilities. The Paris Principles refer specifically to premises and staff. However, infrastructure also includes information and communications technology, transport, educational materials, staff and institutional capacity building activities and so on. 22 69 See chapter 10 of this manual for further discussion of the functions of NHRIs. 70 See chapter 12 of this manual for further discussion of the advisory function of NHRIs. 71 The SCA considers this a “key function” that should be set out in the establishing legislation of NHRIs. See GANHRI SCA General Observations as adopted in Geneva in May 2013, GO 1.3. 72 See chapters 22 and 23 of this manual for further discussion of the international engagement function of NHRIs. 73 Paris Principles, ‘Competence and responsibilities’, para. 3. 74 See chapter 11 of this manual for further discussion of the powers of NHRIs. 75 Paris Principles, ‘Methods of operation’. See chapter 13 of this manual for further discussion of the education and promotion functions of NHRIs. 76 See chapter 8 of this manual for further discussion of NHRI resources. 77 Paris Principles, ‘Composition and guarantees of independence and pluralism’, para. 2.