International Human Rights and the International Human Rights System A Manual for National Human Rights Institutions the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Section. Fortunately, before this rush of interest began, the NHRIs themselves sought to set international standards by which institutions could be established and assessed for their seriousness. The first set of guidelines for NHRIs was produced in 1978 by an intergovernmental seminar organized by the then Commission on Human Rights.7 There were very few NHRIs at the time, however, and the guidelines were generally not well promoted. In 1991, there were still fewer than 20 NHRIs. That year, at their first international meeting in Paris, they adopted the Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions (the “Paris Principles”), which were subsequently endorsed by the Commission on Human Rights and the GA.8 The adoption of these principles was unusual in that the UN system generally does not endorse standards that are not drafted through its own processes. It was also important as it provided a benchmark, a set of minimum requirements, for NHRIs before the rapid growth in their numbers began. Having promoted the establishment of NHRIs in accordance with international minimum standards, the international system required something in return, namely the contribution of these institutions to the international system itself. The Paris Principles themselves acknowledged this as part of the essential “competence and responsibilities” of NHRIs, requiring that they: … cooperate with the United Nations and any other organization in the United Nations system, the regional institutions and the national institutions of other countries that are competent in the areas of the promotion and protection of human rights.9 Conference Secretary-General Ibrahima Fall (left) and President of the Conference Alois Mock congratulate each other at the conclusion of the World Conference on Human Rights 1993. UN Photo. 7 National Human Rights Institutions: History, Principles, Roles and Responsibilities; Professional Training Series No. 4 (Rev. 1); OHCHR; 2010; p. 7. 8 The Paris Principles were drafted and approved at the first International Workshop on National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, held in Paris from 7–9 October 1991. They were subsequently adopted by Commission on Human Rights Resolution 1992/54 in 1992 and GA Resolution 48/134 in 1993. 9 Paris Principles; para. 3(e). 2 | Chapter 1: Introduction