Chapter II Progress Achieved, and Efforts and Activities of the National Institution for Human Rights in the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights Preface: The role of national human rights institutions is enhanced through their constitutional or legislative mandate in the area of “promotion and protection of human rights”. This role was reflected clearly in the “Paris Principles” on the status of national institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights as a constitution for their work and an active and constructive element in the promotion and protection of Human rights in the state system. The role of these institutions in “promotion” is illustrated by the dissemination of the culture of human rights through the various means available. This includes holding conferences, training courses, workshops, and lectures targeting the public, or specific target groups, as well as training in the field of human rights and publishing and printing educational leaflets related to the work of national institutions. The lack of knowledge of the principles of human rights among all segments of society is a strong reason for violations, as promotion of human rights concepts and instilling awareness of such rights contributes to providing protection for all of those rights. Concerning the “protection” of human rights, which is the main pillar corresponding to the role of national institutions in the promotion of these rights; it includes receiving complaints, providing legal assistance, and monitoring everything that may prejudice the right of individuals to enjoy their rights and general freedoms. Monitoring is a necessary means to ascertain the degree and extent to which a State respects its legal or international obligations relating to human rights. Protection also requires that national institutions conduct field visits to places where human rights violations are likely to occur. Accordingly, this chapter addresses the role of the NIHR in the promotion and protection of human rights under two main sections: the first section is dedicated to present its activities in the field of promotion of human rights, while the second section is dedicated to reviewing its efforts in the field of protection of those rights. 35