(m) Role of the Commission
• Education and public awareness.
In addition to complaints-handling functions, the
Commission proposes that it have the following
specific functions in relation to a Human Rights
Act.
• Public sector training and guidance,
including support for the initial roll-out,
ongoing education programs to improve
human rights compliance, and the
development of public sector guidelines
and protocols.
• Reporting, reviews and oversight. This
would include powers to conduct ownmotion systemic inquiries in relation to
human rights breaches; and to review the
policies and practices of public authorities
to assess their compatibility with the
Human Rights Act.
• Annual reporting.
The Commission must be equipped with the
necessary tools and resources to protect
and promote human rights in line with the
Paris Principles. The Paris Principles set out
internationally accepted standards that must be
met by National Human Rights Institutions such
as the Commission.
• Extension of existing intervention powers
to enable the Commission to intervene in
court or tribunal proceedings involving the
interpretation or application of the Human
Rights Act.
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