CHAPTER I: COMPLIANCE OF THE PROVISIONS OF LAW NO. 26 OF 2014 ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS WITH “PARIS PRINCIPLES” RELATING TO THE STATUS OF NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS FOR THE PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS PREFACE: “Paris Principles” relating to the Status of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights represent a set of international standards that direct and organize the work of national human rights institutions. These principles are considered as constitution for national human rights institutions and an active and constructive element in the promotion and protection of human rights in the state system. These principles have been generated from the decisions concluded by the first international workshop on the national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights, which was held in France, Paris, in 1991. The World Conference on Human Rights, which was held in 1993, was a turning point for the national institutions, as they were officially recognized in line with “Paris Principles”. During the Conference, the states were officially encouraged to create such institutions. Accordingly, the General Assembly of the United Nations, as per its resolution (134/48) dated December 20, 1993, ratified “Paris Principles” relating to the Status of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. Today, these principles are the basic standard and test of the legitimacy and credibility of any national institution and measure the extent of its autonomy and efficiency in monitoring human rights violations. “Paris Principles” are based on a set of criteria that should be complied with by the national institutions. It is necessary for these institutions to enjoy broad mandates for the promotion and protection of human rights. They should have an independent management from the government, and should enjoy full independence in the legal, operational and financial fields. An inclusive and transparent process for the selection or appointment of the members of these institutions should be provided in addition to adequate financial resources for the advancement of their duties. Furthermore, national institutions should be granted adequate powers of investigation and consideration of any matter freely within their mandates. The International Coordinating Committee (ICC) and its Subcommittee on Accreditation (SCA) verify the compliance of national human rights institutions with “Paris Principles” through a fair and transparent process that enhances the credibility of national institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights. These institutions are concerned with promoting and monitoring effective implementation of international human rights standards at the national level. 27