APF to advise on draft legislation to establish Cambodian NHRI

The Government of Cambodia has requested the APF to provide advice on draft legislation to establish a national human rights institution (NHRI) for the South East Asian nation.

Establishing an independent NHRI is one of the recommendations accepted by the Cambodian Government following its most recent participation in the Universal Periodic Review in January 2019.

The APF, represented by the Director and the Legal and Policy Manager, held a videoconference forum with representatives of the Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC), including a Core Group of Experts, on 9 October 2020.

The CHRC and the Core Group presented an overview of the approach that had been taken to develop the draft legislation.

The APF will review the current draft and prepare advice for the CHRC on any amendments that may be required to ensure the proposed NHRI complies with the key requirements of the Paris Principles.

The Paris Principles set out the minimum standards required by NHRIs to be considered credible and to operate effectively, including:

• Clearly defined and broad-based mandate based on universal human rights standards
• Autonomy from government
• Independence guaranteed by legislation or the constitution
• Pluralism, including membership that broadly reflects their society
• Adequate resources
• Adequate powers of investigation.

The Paris Principles also require NHRIs to develop systematic programs of engagement with civil society and with the international human rights community.

Date: 21 October 2020