Introduction = 1
The Commonwealth Commitment to the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights = 1
National Human Rights Institutions as an Integral Part of a Democratic Society = 2
National Institutions in the Commonwealth = 3
Small and Developing Countries = 4
Independence = 5
Evolving Changes = 5
The 2000 Commonwealth Conference of National Human Rights Institutions = 5
Development of Best Practice for National Human Rights Institutions = 6
Chapter I - Mode of Establishment = 8
1.1 A National Project = 8
1.2 Legal Foundation = 9
Chapter II - Composition of National Institutions = 13
2.1 Members and Staff = 13
2.2 Appointment of Members 15
2.3 Terms of Appointment = 16
CHAPTER III - Mandate and Powers = 18
3.1 Overview = 18
3.2 General Complaint Procedures = 20
3.3 Investigation of Complaints = 21
3.4 Promotion of Rights = 22
3.5 Review of Laws = 24
3.6 Remedies = 24
Chapter IV - Accountability and Relationships with Other Institutions = 27
4.1 Accountability to the Public = 27
4.2 Relations with Parliament = 28
4.3 Relations with the Executive = 28
4.4 Relations with the Courts = 29
4.5 Relations with the International Treaty Machinery = 30
Chapter V - Accessibility = 31
Chapter VI - Significant Issues = 33
6.1 Role of NHRIs in Conflict Situations = 33
6.2 Economic, Social and Cultural Rights = 33
6.3 Racism = 34
6.4 Environment = 35
6.5 Migrant and Refugee Claimants = 35
6.6 Indigenous Peoples = 36
6.7 Gender and Sex = 36
6.8 Youth = 37
6.9 Persons with Special Needs = 38
Chapter VII - Factors which Affect the Operation of National Human Rights Institutions = 39
Annex = 40
The Commonwealth Commitment to the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights = 1
National Human Rights Institutions as an Integral Part of a Democratic Society = 2
National Institutions in the Commonwealth = 3
Small and Developing Countries = 4
Independence = 5
Evolving Changes = 5
The 2000 Commonwealth Conference of National Human Rights Institutions = 5
Development of Best Practice for National Human Rights Institutions = 6
Chapter I - Mode of Establishment = 8
1.1 A National Project = 8
1.2 Legal Foundation = 9
Chapter II - Composition of National Institutions = 13
2.1 Members and Staff = 13
2.2 Appointment of Members 15
2.3 Terms of Appointment = 16
CHAPTER III - Mandate and Powers = 18
3.1 Overview = 18
3.2 General Complaint Procedures = 20
3.3 Investigation of Complaints = 21
3.4 Promotion of Rights = 22
3.5 Review of Laws = 24
3.6 Remedies = 24
Chapter IV - Accountability and Relationships with Other Institutions = 27
4.1 Accountability to the Public = 27
4.2 Relations with Parliament = 28
4.3 Relations with the Executive = 28
4.4 Relations with the Courts = 29
4.5 Relations with the International Treaty Machinery = 30
Chapter V - Accessibility = 31
Chapter VI - Significant Issues = 33
6.1 Role of NHRIs in Conflict Situations = 33
6.2 Economic, Social and Cultural Rights = 33
6.3 Racism = 34
6.4 Environment = 35
6.5 Migrant and Refugee Claimants = 35
6.6 Indigenous Peoples = 36
6.7 Gender and Sex = 36
6.8 Youth = 37
6.9 Persons with Special Needs = 38
Chapter VII - Factors which Affect the Operation of National Human Rights Institutions = 39
Annex = 40