Undertaking Effective Investigations A Guide for National Human Rights Institutions KEY POINTS: CHAPTER 1 • NHRIs must be, and must be seen to be, independent and impartial. If not, they risk having their investigations challenged and their recommendations ignored. • The key elements for the independence and impartiality of NHRIs are set out in the Paris Principles. • Powers to conduct effective investigations should be set out in the NHRI’s establishing legislation. • Those powers should be used robustly, as and when necessary. Photo by the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives. 18