Acknowledgements = 1
foreword = 3
introduction = 5
Methodology = 5
Types of national human rights institutions = 5
The Paris Principles = 6
Elements contributing to the effectiveness of NHRIs = 7
Assessing effectiveness . benchmarks and indicators = 9
I. BENCHMARKS = 11
1. Character of the national institution = 12
A. Independence = 12
B. Established by law/Constitution = 13
C. Appointments procedure = 14
D. Criteria for membership of a national institution = 14
E. Composition of a national institution’s membership = 15
F. Professional skills and knowledge of human rights = 15
G. Relations with civil society = 15
H. Accessibility = 16
2. Mandate = 17
A. Commenting on existing and draft laws = 18
B. Monitoring domestic human rights situations = 18
C. Monitoring and advising on compliance with international standards and co-operating with regional and international bodies = 19
D. Educating and informing in the field of human rights 20
E. Receiving complaints or petitions from individuals or groups (where appropriate) = 20
F. Monitoring government compliance with their advice and recommendations = 22
3. Public accountability = 23
A. Reporting annually on all aspects of their work = 23
B. Regular consultations with all stakeholders = 23
II. INDICATORS = 25
1. Types of indicators = 25
A. Quantitative indicators = 25
B. Qualitative indicators = 25
2. Participatory indicators = 26
3. Reliable and valid indicators = 27
4. Interpreting indicators = 28
5. Indicators of performance and impact = 30
A. Assessing the human rights situation = 31
B. Using indicators to evaluate NHRIs’ performance = 32
C. Using indicators to measure impact = 34
i) Evaluating complaint handling = 35
ii) Evaluating training programmes = 35
iii) Evaluating public awareness and education programmes = 36
CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS = 39
Some potential pitfalls of indicators = 41
Some advantages of indicators = 41
In conclusion = 42
Sugested web sites = 43
About the Council = 45
foreword = 3
introduction = 5
Methodology = 5
Types of national human rights institutions = 5
The Paris Principles = 6
Elements contributing to the effectiveness of NHRIs = 7
Assessing effectiveness . benchmarks and indicators = 9
I. BENCHMARKS = 11
1. Character of the national institution = 12
A. Independence = 12
B. Established by law/Constitution = 13
C. Appointments procedure = 14
D. Criteria for membership of a national institution = 14
E. Composition of a national institution’s membership = 15
F. Professional skills and knowledge of human rights = 15
G. Relations with civil society = 15
H. Accessibility = 16
2. Mandate = 17
A. Commenting on existing and draft laws = 18
B. Monitoring domestic human rights situations = 18
C. Monitoring and advising on compliance with international standards and co-operating with regional and international bodies = 19
D. Educating and informing in the field of human rights 20
E. Receiving complaints or petitions from individuals or groups (where appropriate) = 20
F. Monitoring government compliance with their advice and recommendations = 22
3. Public accountability = 23
A. Reporting annually on all aspects of their work = 23
B. Regular consultations with all stakeholders = 23
II. INDICATORS = 25
1. Types of indicators = 25
A. Quantitative indicators = 25
B. Qualitative indicators = 25
2. Participatory indicators = 26
3. Reliable and valid indicators = 27
4. Interpreting indicators = 28
5. Indicators of performance and impact = 30
A. Assessing the human rights situation = 31
B. Using indicators to evaluate NHRIs’ performance = 32
C. Using indicators to measure impact = 34
i) Evaluating complaint handling = 35
ii) Evaluating training programmes = 35
iii) Evaluating public awareness and education programmes = 36
CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS = 39
Some potential pitfalls of indicators = 41
Some advantages of indicators = 41
In conclusion = 42
Sugested web sites = 43
About the Council = 45