A/HRC/RES/57/23
contexts and, in particular, for combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance,
Acknowledging that the promotion and protection of human rights and the
implementation of the 2030 Agenda are interrelated and mutually reinforcing, and
recognizing that the 2030 Agenda contains a pledge to leave no one behind and envisages a
world of universal respect for human rights and human dignity, the rule of law, justice,
equality and non-discrimination,
Recognizing the importance of the independent voice of national human rights
institutions in promoting and protecting all human rights, including, in accordance with their
mandates, economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights, particularly in the context of
the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, whose aim is to realize the human rights of all,
Welcoming the Mérida Declaration on the Role of National Human Rights Institutions
in Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, noting that the
implementation of the 2030 Agenda is a priority under the current strategic plan of the Global
Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, and acknowledging the efforts that national
human rights institutions are making to connect their work, in accordance with their
respective mandates, to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda,
Recalling the Belgrade principles on the relationship between national human rights
institutions and parliaments,3
Taking note of the Kyiv-Copenhagen Declaration, adopted at the fourteenth
International Conference of National Human Rights Institutions, on the role of national
human rights institutions in addressing and preventing torture and other cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment,
1.
Welcomes the most recent reports of the Secretary-General submitted to the
Human Rights Council on national human rights institutions 4 and on the activities of the
Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions in accrediting national institutions in
compliance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion
and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles);5
2.
Also welcomes the important role of the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights as the secretariat of the Subcommittee on Accreditation of
the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions and the support that it provides in
assisting with the establishment and strengthening of national human rights institutions in
accordance with the Paris Principles;
3.
Encourages States to establish effective, independent, pluralistic and
adequately resourced national human rights institutions or, where they already exist, to
strengthen them to enable the effective fulfilment of their mandate to promote and protect
human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, as outlined in the Vienna Declaration and
Programme of Action, and to do so in accordance with the Paris Principles;
4.
Stresses the importance of the financial and administrative independence and
the stability of national human rights institutions for the promotion and protection of human
rights, notes with satisfaction the efforts of those States that have provided their national
human rights institutions with more autonomy and independence, including by giving them
an investigative role or enhancing such a role, and encourages other Governments to consider
taking similar steps;
5.
Also stresses that national human rights institutions and their respective
members and staff should not face any form of reprisal or intimidation, including political
pressure, physical intimidation, harassment or unjustifiable budgetary limitations, as a result
of activities undertaken in accordance with their respective mandates, including when taking
up individual cases or when reporting on serious or systematic violations, and calls upon
States to promptly and thoroughly investigate cases of alleged reprisal or intimidation against
3
4
5
4
A/HRC/20/9, annex.
A/HRC/57/65.
A/HRC/57/66.