Capacity Assessment Manual for National Human Rights Institutions Appendix 7: Some examples of core capacity issues Law and institutional basis • The NHRI’s law enables it to function as a fully effective NHRI in accordance with the Paris Principles • The NHRI has the capacity to articulate and act upon the broad mandate, functions and powers given it in its law • The NHRI’s leadership (commission members, chief executive officer, directors and managers) have the capacity to provide vision, strategy and direction for the NHRI • The NHRI has the capacity to develop and implement a strategic plan and annual work plans • The NHRI has the capacity to reach women and other marginalised groups and all regions of its country • The NHRI has the capacity to represent inclusively the breadth of its society within the commissioners and staff, including by having a gender balance at all levels within the NHRI, and to reach out and be accessible to the most vulnerable and marginalised people in its country • The NHRC has the capacity to understand and address gender and women’s human rights issues both in its strategies and programs for the promotion and protection of human rights and in its own internal policies, procedures and staff management. Programs • The NHRI has the capacity to investigate and resolve complaints of human rights violation according to clear procedures • The NHRI has the capacity to ensure good investigation and monitoring for compliance with human rights obligations, through appropriate procedures and guidelines, a good database, operational autonomy to undertake investigations as it sees necessary, and analysis and reporting on findings • The NHRI has the capacity to conduct effective periodic and surprise inspections of prisons and places of detention for compliance with human rights obligations • The NHRI has the capacity to undertake research and policy development and write reports that are based on law and evidence and convincing in advocacy • The NHRI has the capacity to undertake programs of human rights education, training and awareness raising, including for both those with human rights obligations and those at risk of human rights violation • The NHRI has the capacity to develop and use curricula, manuals and resources for human rights education and training • The NHRI has the capacity to follow up and advocate effectively for the implementation of its recommendations on individual cases and on systemic human rights situations and issues • The NHRI has the capacity to develop and implement a Gender Policy and to ensure gender mainstreaming through its internal operations and culture and through its external programs and activities. Appendices | 67