Part I Introduction to human rights education
Chapter 3:
National human rights institutions
and human rights education
52
KEY QUESTIONS
• What does the international human rights framework say about the mandate
and role of NHRIs to provide human rights education?
• What do NHRIs need in order to provide a quality human rights education
programme?
• What are some examples of human education programmes around the Asia
Pacific region?
“… national human rights institutions can play an important role, including
where necessary a coordinating role, in promoting human rights education
and training by, inter alia, raising awareness and mobilizing relevant public and
private actors.”52
3.1. MANDATE AND ROLE OF NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS
INSTITUTIONS53
Human rights education is a central mandate of NHRIs. The Paris Principles54 outline the minimum
standards relating to the status and functioning of NHRIs. Compliance with the Paris Principles is the
central accreditation requirement for NHRIs to be able to participate in discussions at the United Nations
Human Rights Council and other international human rights bodies.
According to the Paris Principles, NHRIs have three goals and functions that relate to promoting human
rights:
• to inform and to educate about human rights
• to foster the development of values and attitudes which uphold human rights
• to encourage action aimed at defending human rights from violation.
Paris Principles-compliant NHRIs play a critical role in promoting the effective implementation of
international human rights standards at the national level.
52
United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training; article 9.
53
For more information, see Chapter 4 of A Manual on National Human Rights Institutions; APF; 2013.
54
Principles relating to the status of national institutions (General Assembly resolution 48/134). Further information on the Paris
Principles is available online at www.asiapacificforum.net/members/international-standards.
Chapter 3: National human rights institutions and human rights education | 19