Preventing Torture An Operational Guide for National Human Rights Institutions Chapter 7: Cooperating with international mechanisms Key questions • Does interaction with treaty bodies – and the United Nations Committee against Torture in particular – go beyond submitting shadow reports? • What opportunities exist for NHRIs to interact with the United Nations Human Rights Council, in particular in the universal periodic review and with the Special Rapporteur on Torture? • Do NHRIs have a role to play in regional complaints mechanisms? • How can NHRIs interact with international and regional visiting bodies? Legal basis 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 promotion and protection of human rights system. ACJ Reference on Torture International bodies NHRIs should encourage their State to issue a standing invitation to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and other relevant Rapporteurs of the United Nations to make visits and reports. NHRIs should urge their States to ensure that the reporting requirements under relevant international treaties are up-to-date. They might also consider drafting shadow reports. NHRIs should urge their States to implement all recommendations and conclusions made in reports prepared by the relevant monitoring committees and Special Rapporteurs. In this respect, NHRIs have a supportive role to play. 62 | Chapter 7: Cooperating with international mechanisms