NHRIs as HRDs
Often overlooked in narratives on HRDs, NHRIs occupy a unique position as protectors, monitors and
supporters of HRDs. In her report to the UN Human Rights Council in 2013, the former UN Special
Rapporteur on the Rights of HRDs, Margaret Sekaggya, recognised that NHRIs operating in compliance
with the Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions (the Paris Principles) can also be
considered as HRDs themselves.
NHRI staff place themselves at risk of violence and reprisals every day, some paying the ultimate price
for their commitment and dedication to human rights. The Action Plan affirms the essential role of NHRIs
and their staff and includes the commitment to support NHRIs as HRDs.
FURTHER READING
APF (2019): NHRI Guidelines for Mainstreaming the Human Rights of
Women and Girls into Our Everyday Work
Protection International: Collective Protection of Human Rights Defenders A collective approach to the right to defend human rights
UNDP & APTN (2017): Legal Gender Recognition: A Multi-Country Legal
and Policy Review in Asia
Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law, and Development (2007): Claiming Rights, Claiming
Justice: A Guidebook on Women Human Rights Defenders
Destination Justice (2018): Revealing the Rainbow: The Human Rights Situation of LGBTIQ
HRDs in Southeast Asia
APF (2019): Human Rights and Disability: A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions
Front Line Defenders (2018): Global Analysis
UN Special Rapporteur on HRDs (2016): Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of
human rights defenders
OHCHR (2004): Factsheet 29 – Human Rights Defenders: Protecting the Right to Defend
UN Women (2018): Statement by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Under-Secretary-General
and Executive Director, UN Women on International Women Human Rights Defenders Day,
29 November 2018
UNEP (2018): Promoting Greater Protection for Environmental Defenders Policy
UN Special Rapporteur on HRDs (2016): Promotion and protection of human rights: human
rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of
human rights and fundamental freedoms
Part 1: Background | 11