Part I Fundamental requirements for an Investigations Unit Chapter 3: Adequate resources KEY QUESTIONS • Why is adequate resourcing important? • What factors need to be considered in order to maximize the use of available resources? • What is the technique of “front-end loading” and how best can it be used? 1. INTRODUCTION Investigations cost money, regardless of who does them. NHRI investigations are no different. NHRIs need enough resources to do them within a reasonable time. Resources refer to the investigations staff, as well as the infrastructure and support that are needed for investigators to undertake their duties, such as office space, computers, communications equipment, transportation and so on. A failure to provide sufficient resources can mean that investigations are not done thoroughly or within a reasonable time. This can undermine the credibility and reputation of the NHRI and can also lead to expensive and lengthy follow-up investigations, reviews and inquiries, as happened in the Mulrunji case. 2. STABLE AND SUFFICIENT FUNDING As mentioned in Chapter 1, the Paris Principles require NHRIs to be adequately resourced to undertake their statutory functions. Such funding should enable the NHRI “to have its own staff and premises, in order to be independent of the Government and not subject to financial control that might affect its independence”.21 NHRIs must have control over their budgets once allocated. For this reason: • a general grant of funds should be provided, and not be earmarked for particular activities or purposes • the NHRI should be responsible for the administration and allocation of funds, subject to reasonable financial accountability measures applicable to other independent State institutions • the use of funds should not require governmental approval prior to expenditure. A lack of financial independence can limit the effectiveness of NHRIs. Governments can seek to silence NHRIs by reducing the funds available to them. 21 Paris Principles; “Composition and guarantees of independence and pluralism”, para. 2. Chapter 3: Adequate resources | 23