International
Human Rights
Protection Agencies and
Mechanisms:
Amnesty
International
It is better to light
a candle than to
curse the darkness
Introducti
on
Amnesty International (commonly known as
Amnesty and AI) is a non-governmental
organization focused on human rights with
over 7 million members and supporters around
the world.
The stated objective of the organization is to
conduct research and generate action to
prevent and end grave abuses of human rights,
and to demand justice for those whose rights
have been violated.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONALS
RECOMMENDATIONS ON EFFECTIVE
PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF
HUMAN RIGHTS:
NATIONAL
HUMAN RIGHTS
INSTITUTIONS (NHRI)
Establishment of NHRIs to ensure
independence and effective action
Founding
Legislation
NHRIs must be independent from the
executive functions of government and its
founding charter should reflect this.
It is essential therefore that NHRIs should be
established by law or, preferably, by
constitutional amendment.
Cooperation with
other institutions
NHRI is
empowered, on its own initiative, to
submit reports to, and where
appropriate, to address in person,
NHRI should include provisions whereby the
legislative bodies, the executive, or other political institutions.
The NHRI should be directed to
establish effective cooperation with
other human rights institutions, (whether
domestic or from other countries, non-governmental
organizations, including human rights organizations, and UN
human rights bodies)
Scope of human
rights within an
NHRIs jurisdiction
NHRIs should enjoy the broadest possible
mandate to address human rights
concerns as set out in international human
rights law and standards.
The mandate should include the power to
protect and promote economic, social and
cultural rights, as well as civil and political
rights.
Accountability to
ensure effective
action
NHRIs should report publicly on their
activities and be held accountable for their
results either to an independent civil
society body, or to a functioning and
exacting parliamentary body.
As an ineffective NHRI which does not
address human rights violations actively
can be an instrument of impunity, rather
than a tool to promote and protect human
rights.
Advising
governments on
domestic legislation
The mandate should include the power to review the effectiveness of existing
legislation or administrative provisions in
protecting human rights;
should be able to make recommendations
for the amendment of such legislation or
the introduction of new legislation as
necessary.
Independent
investigation
professionals
NHRIs should have their own investigative
machinery and should have access to expert
assistance(forensic pathologists, forensic doctors,
ballistic experts, specialists on sexual
violence etc.)
Protection of
witnesses &
evidence
NHRIs should have full and effective access
to mechanisms to ensure that witnesses,
complainants, or others providing
evidence to the NHRI are given appropriate
protection.
Evidence gathered during investigations,
such as witness statements, reports and
physical evidence should be kept securely
by the NHRI.
Remedies and
interim measures
NHRIs should have powers to ensure
effective non-judicial remedies, including
interim measures to protect the life and
safety of an individual and adequate
medical treatment where necessary;
It should ensure measures of redress and
rehabilitation are taken in appropriate
cases.
Recommendations
should be followed
up
The government should undertake an
obligation to respond, within a reasonable
time, to the case specific
as well as the more general findings,
conclusions and recommendations made by
the NHRI.
The government's response should be made
public.
Thank
You