The Paris Principles were adopted in 1991. Drafted by NHRIs in existence at that time, they have subsequently been endorsed by both the Commission on Human Rights in 1992 and the UN General Assembly in 1993. They have been further recognised at both the international and regional level and are now seen as the template against which to assess an NHRI. With the inclusion in two international treaties, they have arguably moved beyond their weak status as a mere annex to a General Assembly Resolution. Compliance with the Paris Principles is determined by NHRIs and gives these institutions membership in their international and regional networks. It also allows them to participate in the UN and regional bodies, including the Human Rights Council.

Adoption of the Paris Principles

Part of the legitimacy of the Paris Principles and their enduring value comes from the fact that they were drafted by NHRIs themselves. The Paris Principles were adopted at the first International Workshop on National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights. This workshop was organised by the French Commission nationale consultative des droits de l’homme in cooperation with the UN Centre for Human Rights (now the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)) in Paris from 7 to 9 October 1991. The then existing NHRIs from across the regions – about twenty-five in total – came to discuss, for the first time – in the presence of other actors, including governmental representatives, UN agencies, international and regional courts and NGOs having observer status – the way in which they should be established and strengthened. The workshop resulted in the drafting of the “Principles relating to the status and functioning of national institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights”, now commonly referred to as the “Paris Principles”, due to the place, Paris, France, where they were elaborated. Discussions took place on the various aspects of NHRIs, including their independence and pluralism as well as their mandate and working methods. Participants were also able to build on previous reflection on NHRIs, including the Seminar on National and Local Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, convened by the Commission on Human Rights (now Human Rights Council) in 1978.