Part III National human rights institutions’ international engagement Chapter 11: The Human Rights Council KEY QUESTIONS • How can NHRIs use the mechanisms of the Human Rights Council to advance the rights of indigenous peoples? • What opportunities exist to establish links between the international human rights mechanisms and the domestic work of NHRIs in protecting and promoting the rights of indigenous peoples? FOUNDING PRINCIPLES FOR NHRI INVOLVEMENT Paris Principles Competence and responsibilities 3. A national institution shall, inter alia, have the following responsibilities: (d) To contribute to the reports which States are required to submit to United Nations bodies and committees, and to regional institutions, pursuant to their treaty obligations and, where necessary, to express an opinion on the subject, with due respect for their independence (e) To cooperate with the United Nations and any other organization in the United Nations system, the regional institutions and the national institutions of other countries that are competent in the areas of the protection and promotion of human rights General Assembly resolution 60/251: The Human Rights Council 5. Decides that the Council shall, inter alia: (h) Work in close cooperation in the field of human rights with Governments, regional organizations, national human rights institutions and civil society 11. Decides that the Council shall apply the rules of procedure established for committees of the General Assembly, as applicable, unless subsequently otherwise decided by the Assembly or the Council, and also decides that the participation of and consultation with observers, including States that are not members of the Council, the specialized agencies, other intergovernmental organizations and national human rights institutions, as well as non-governmental organizations, shall be based on arrangements, including Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31 of 25 July 1996 and practices observed by the Commission on Human Rights, while ensuring the most effective contribution of these entities. Chapter 11: The Human Rights Council | 101