A Manual on National Human Rights Institutions This manual discusses NHRIs generally but it has a specific focus on those in the Asia Pacific region.7 It looks first at the origins, development, concept and nature of NHRIs. It analyses NHRIs in terms of the Paris Principles. It outlines the requirements of the Paris Principles and then applies those to the primary requirement of independence, with implications for law, membership and funding. It discusses briefly the various models of NHRIs. It looks at the responsibilities and functions of NHRIs, as set out in the Paris Principles, beginning with their core competence for the promotion and protection of human rights. In each area, the manual describes “good practice” for NHRIs’ compliance with the Paris Principles. It also suggests model clauses for NHRI-establishing laws to reflect the Paris Principles and, where possible, “good practice”. The manual then presents NHRIs’ approaches to particular human rights challenges. One section examines national inquiries into systemic patterns of human rights violation, an innovative mechanism developed by NHRIs in the Asia Pacific region. Other sections examine NHRIs’ support for groups at particular risk of human rights violation and their work in situations of violent conflict. The last part of the manual discusses NHRIs and the international community, including engagement with the international human rights system and collaboration among NHRIs at international and regional levels. This manual complements other manuals published by the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (APF), dealing with NHRIs and: • the prevention of torture • the rights of migrant workers • engagement with the international human rights system • national human rights inquiries • human rights education • investigating human rights violations • the rights of indigenous peoples • women’s and girls’ rights • the media • the rights of disabled people • the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities.8 The APF’s gender mainstreaming policy requires the APF to ensure that gender neutral and inclusive language is used in all APF publications. Direct quotations often contain gender specific language, especially masculine pronouns. Where the manual uses direct quotations, for example from laws or other sources, it uses the original language without alteration and without disrupting the flow of the language by use of the word ‘sic’. Readers should appreciate that the language of the quotation is the language of the original text and does not reflect the policy or usage of the APF. This manual was first published in January 2015 and reviewed in May 2018 to ensure integration of gender issues. Information in this manual is accurate as at 1 June 2018. 2 7 For that reason, all examples of NHRIs, legislation and case studies are from NHRIs in the Asia Pacific region, except in chapter 4 and section 6.2.6, where examples are drawn from other regions. 8 All APF manuals are available at www.asiapacificforum.net/support/professional-resources/.