Introduction for users 2. Reaffirms the importance of the development of effective, independent and pluralistic national human rights institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights … 17. Invites the human rights treaty bodies … to provide for ways to ensure the effective and enhanced participation by national human rights institutions compliant with the Paris principles in all relevant stages of their work. UN General Assembly Resolution 70/163 of 15 December 2016 National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights This Manual is designed to provide practical guidance for national human rights institutions (NHRIs) that are actively working to advance the human rights of persons with disabilities, as well as those NHRIs that are seeking to strengthen their efforts in this area. Because of their unique role and position, NHRIs can be key agents to bring about positive change in their countries for persons with disabilities.1 Through their work, NHRIs help ‘translate’ the majestic generalities of international law into a practical agenda for reform at home, where it matters most. This Manual provides practical guidance and recommendations about how the role and functions of NHRIs can be directed to provide better protection for persons with disabilities, to promote greater awareness and respect for their rights, and to monitor the progress made and obstacles encountered in advancing their rights THE ROLE OF NHRIs There are a number of roles that NHRIs can and should play to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities, irrespective of whether the relevant State has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).2 Needless to say, the widespread ratification of the UN CRPD gives added urgency to this task. The Convention, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 16 December 2006, has already had a massive impact in transforming the lives of persons with disabilities around the world. While persons with disabilities and their representative organisations have been the prime movers, NHRIs have been integral to this process of change made possible by the UN CRPD. Indeed, the Convention requires civil society and NHRIs to play separate but complementary roles. This has created a new politics of disability. There are many innovations in the UN CRPD. However, a key area of innovation discussed in this Manual is the specific role it sets out for NHRIs in the process of reform and change (article 33(2)). That NHRIs have a role to advance all human rights is beyond doubt, but to have that role articulated in a 1 See R. Goodman, Human Rights, State Compliance, and Social Change: Assessing National Human Rights Institutions, 2012; see also G. De Beco and R. Murray, Commentary on the Paris Principles on National Human Rights Institutions, 2014; see also Danish Centre for Human Rights, B. Lindsnaes, L. Lindholt and K. Yigen (eds), National Human Rights Institutions. Articles and Working Papers: Input into the Discussions on the Establishment and Development of the Functions of National Human Rights Institutions, 2000, available at www.nhri.net/pdf/nhribook.pdf. 2 General Assembly resolution 61/106, 24 January 2007. The full text of the Convention is available at www.un.org/development/ desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities.html. Introduction for users | 1