ISLAMABAD (APP) - The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) of Pakistan has been accredited as an A-status National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) by UN-linked body, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).
GANHRI conducts reviews of national NHRIs to determine if they operate in accordance with the UN Principles on National Institutions, commonly known as the Paris Principles.
These principles set the standards to which commissions must comply in order to be considered internationally credible and to operate effectively.
”When a Commission proves its compliance with the Paris Principles, it can seek accreditation and become part of the global network known as GANHRI.”
Despite it being extremely rare for commissions to attain A status in the first round, Pakistan’s NCHR has been accredited with this highest grade in its first try.
It is also the only country to have attained new A status in this year’s session.
This status grants NCHR a seat at the Human Rights Council, and other UN bodies – a historic first for Pakistan. In the past, Pakistan’s commission could only act as an observer but now will get a voice at the table.
NCHR Pakistan joins the ranks of the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, France and others as an A status NHRI, said a press release issued here on Saturday.