Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning | A Guide for NHRIs in the Asia Pacific Module 1: Understanding MEAL Section 1.7. MEAL and ethics MEAL involves gathering information and data to understand, demonstrate and improve the impact of your NHRI’s work. You must gather information from people, groups, organisations and, based on this information, make statements about the effectiveness of your NHRI’s activities. Three overarching ethical principles will guide you in planning your methods for gathering, using and storing your data. Figure 5: Overarching ethical principles Do no harm Ensure reliability Ensure impartiality, integrity and transparency • Do no harm: give those who experience human rights violations the opportunity to be heard and ensure they are protected from harm during and after the MEAL process. • Ensure reliability: validate your findings with people about whom the data is being collected. • Ensure impartiality, integrity, and transparency: review the data and data analysis through alternate viewpoints and sources. The principles you choose may be expressed more appropriately in the language and cultural customs of your NHRI. 22