International Human Rights and the International Human Rights System A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions The Advisory Committee has 18 members who are experts serving in their personal capacities.158 They are elected through a secret ballot by the HRC for three-year terms, with one third retiring each year. The 18 positions are allocated among the regional groups: • five positions from the Africa Group • five positions from the Asia Group • two positions from the Eastern European Group • three positions from the Latin America and Caribbean Group • three positions from the Western European and Others Group.159 Candidates for election to the Advisory Committee should have: • recognized competence and experience in the field of human rights • high moral standing • independence and impartiality.160 To promote “independence and impartiality”, persons holding decision-making positions in government or in any other organization or entity which might give rise to a conflict of interest with the responsibilities inherent in the mandate shall be excluded.161162 NHRIs cannot nominate persons for election to the Advisory Committee. Only UN Member States can do that. However, NHRIs can propose candidates to their Governments and seek to persuade their Governments to make a nomination. In addition, “States should consult their national human rights institutions and civil society organizations and, in this regard, include [with their nominations] the names of those supporting their candidates”.162 NHRIs can also participate in meetings of the Advisory Committee and cooperate with it in its work. The Advisory Committee meets twice a year, for up to a total of ten working days. It usually meets for five days in January and five days in August. Its meetings are public.163 States and organizations entitled to participate in HRC sessions, including “A status” NHRIs, are entitled to attend those meetings and to participate in the discussions.164 As at meetings of the HRC, they can make written and oral statements on items on the agenda and organize parallel events. The HRC also urges the Advisory Committee to interact with States and organizations entitled to participate in HRC sessions, including “A status” NHRIs.165 158 HRC Resolution 5/1; Part III; para. 65. 159 HRC Resolution 5/1; Part III.B.; para. 73. 160 HRC Resolution 5/1; Part III.A.; para. 67. 161 HRC Resolution 5/1; Part III.A.; para. 68. 162 HRC Resolution 5/1; Part III.A.; para. 66. 163 HRC Resolution 5/1; Part III.D.; para. 79. 164 HRC Resolution 5/1; Part III.D.; para. 83. 165 HRC Resolution 5/1; Part III.D.; para. 82. 56 | Chapter 8: Other permanent mechanisms of the Human Rights Council